After you have created the phases necessary for the project life cycle of a custom object, you must specify the way these phases follow each other. Phases may branch into several alternative phases at the same level. For example, the following flowchart shows how the phases shown in the Phase Transitions Tab image may follow each other.
Phase Transition Example
The process of creating a phase transition consists of:
•Naming the phase transition
•Specifying the phase from which the transition occurs
•Specifying the phase to which the transition occurs
•Determining whether the transition is visible to the end user
In the case of a linear transition, you specify the phases as you want them to follow each other, for example, from Open to Suit Filed and from Suit Filed to Discovery.
Even if you have only two phases, such as Open and Close, you must create a phase transition. In this case, select Open from the Initial Phase field and Close from the Final Phase field on the Phase Transitions tab.
When the phases branch, you must create multiple sequences, such as:
•From Discovery to Depositions
•From Discovery to Interrogatories
•From Depositions to Settlement
•From Interrogatories to Settlement
To access the Phase Transitions tab of a custom object definition, select Object Definitions from the Go to drop-down list, and then choose the appropriate custom object.
The following image shows the Phase Transitions tab of a custom object definition. Its phase transitions correspond to those shown in the diagram.
Phase Transitions Tab
The following table describes the items on the Phase Transitions tab.
Field or control
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Description
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Initial Phase
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Select the phase you want the project life cycle to begin with. The Initial phase is automatically linked to the Opened On date field in the Project's General tab in the end-user interface.
Note: By default, the Open phase is set as the Initial phase for all projects, and you can change it only when other phases are added on the Phases tab.
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Final Phase
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Select the phase you want the project life cycle to end with. The Final phase is automatically linked to the Closed On date field in the Project's General tab in the end-user interface.
Note: By default, the Close phase is set as the Final phase for all projects, and you can change it only when other phases are added on the Phases tab.
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Name
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Type the name of the phase transition as you want it to be displayed for the end user in the (actions) drop-down list in the top right-hand corner of the of the Project screen. The maximum length is 250 alphanumeric characters.
Tip: Type the name of the phase to which you want to go.
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From Phase
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Select the phase from which you want the transition to occur.
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To Phase
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Select the phase to which you want the transition to occur.
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Visible
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In this check-box, enter a check to make the transition visible to the end user, or clear the box to make the transition non-visible. Non-visible transitions are useful when the transition is always going to be accomplished through rule actions or other automated means, not through manual selection by an end user. By default, all phase transitions are visible.
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Phase Transition List
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Displays a list of phase transitions set for the selected custom object. Select or clear the corresponding check-boxes on the left to delete or edit the respective phase transitions.
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