KB: Project Item Revision and Lifecycle State Cannot Be Changed

Solution Details

Project item state cannot be modified

Although a Project Item (PRJ) includes a revision identifier and is listed in lifecycle definitions, its revision and lifecycle state cannot be changed. This is expected, since the Project Item does not participate in lifecycle transitions or revision updates like other managed items.

Project item acts as structural metadata

The Project Item is not intended to store or receive release data. It functions as a structural entity that anchors the Project View in the Explorer panel and organizes project-related data.

Without a Project Item:

• The Project View cannot be generated.
• The project cannot be recognized or managed as a Workspace Managed Project within the Explorer panel.
  
  

A Managed Project consists of two tightly integrated components:

• Project metadata stored in the Altium 365 Workspace.
• Integration with the Workspace-managed Version Control System (VCS) repository.
  
  

Although the Project Item uses a Revision Naming Scheme, this should not be interpreted as a true revision of the project itself.

• A Project Item is created with a single revision when the managed project is first established.
• It does not participate in revisioning in the same way as release-generated items such as source, fabrication, assembly outputs.
• It does not have an independent lifecycle definition. Since its purpose is solely to provide the structural framework for project representation, it remains permanently in the Planned lifecycle state.

Use tags and release items for tracking

• Release Items: Lifecycle control and revision tracking is used for release-generated items (e.g., source, fabrication, assembly outputs).
• VCS Tags: Use tags in Project History to represent project milestones and lifecycle stages.
• Commit History: Use commit and release events as reference points for project evolution.
• VCS commits and tags: Practical method for tracking project-level changes and milestones.

Lifecycle tag examples include:

• Design
• Prototype
• Validation
• Production
• Maintenance

Steps to manage lifecycle using tags

1. Open the managed project in Altium Designer.
2. Access the Project History view.
3. Review the timeline of commits and releases.
4. Click the ellipsis menu (...).
5. Select Manage Tags.
6. Create or modify tags to reflect project milestones.
7. Apply tags to relevant commits or release points.
8. Use these tags as the lifecycle indicator for the project.

References

• Design Project Release
• Managing Item Revision Lifecycle
• Project History