Request format templates

This section describes format templates for requests, and substitution variables that can be included in request format templates.

About request format templates

A request format template is a user-defined text file that specifies the content and layout of a Dimensions CM request when it is browsed or printed. Format templates are required for every request type.

The format template contains substitution variables that are dynamically expanded when you browse a request. Variables can represent both system-defined (Dimensions CM) and user-defined attributes that are single or multivalued.

A template may include:

  • The Dimensions CM identity of the request, including the product ID, request type, and serial number.

  • The status of the request.

  • The values for one or more user-defined attributes.

  • The date of the last update.

Guidelines:

  • You create request templates outside of Dimensions CM, usually using a standard text editor.

  • You can use the same template for multiple types, but we recommend that you create a template for each request type so you can manage each template independently.

  • After creating a format template, you associate it to a request type. At this point, the format template is placed under revision control by Dimensions CM and is stored in a manner similar to items.

  • You can use either lower-case or upper-case text when you define variables in a request format template.

  • When using RTF as a request format, any backslash (\) characters included in attributes are removed because the backslash is treated as a qualifier.

    Any word immediately following a backslash without a space is completely removed.

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Request template example

Here is an example of a Change Request (CR) request template, followed by an example of an expanded request.

Change request (CR) template

CHANGE REQUEST
CR No:%ch_doc_id%
Originator:%originator%
Create Date:%create_date%
Severity:%severity%
Status:%current_status%
Customer Name:%customers%
Reported by:%cust_contact%
Title:%title%    
Affected Product Details
Platform:%platform%
Main Description:
%description%
%description_end%

Operating System:%op_sys%
Affected Item:
%affected_item%
Affected Parts:
%affected_part%
   
Solution Details:
%solution%
Target Release Id:
%target_release% 


Expected effort:%exp_effort%

Actual effort:%actual_effort%
Reason for Deferral
%reason_deferral%
Reason for Rejection:
%rejection%
   
Action Message
%action%
Action:%action_number% by %user_name% on %date% %time%
%action_text%
%action_end%
Related Requests
%related_doc%
   
Action History
%action_history%
   

Expanded change request

 CHANGE REQUEST


	    CR No:PAYROLL_CR_1
	    Originator:DMSYS
	    Reported by:Mike Corelli
	    Create Date:02-APR-2023
	    Severity:1_critical
	    Status:CLOSED
	    Customer Name:Acme Inc


     Title:New field for staff form

	    Affected Product Details
	    Release:2.0.0
	    Platform:Solaris

	    Operating System:Solaris 11.4


     Main Description:
 Staff commented that they were unable to state if they
 were ill during a holiday


Affected Item:
Affected

2	PAYROLL:SICK PAY REPORT.A-SRC;1 (Affected)	DMSYS
	(reports/src/rep_sick.c)
	Report Sick Pay details
Response
4	PAYROLL:SICK PAY REPORT.A-SRC;2 (Response)	DMSYS
	(reports/src/rep_sick.c)
	Report Sick Pay details

Affected Parts:
0	PAYROLL:PAYROLL.A;1				DMSYS
	(PRODUCT)
Payroll Product
2	PAYROLL:REPORTS.A;1				DMSYS
	(SUB-SYSTEM)
	Offline statistics reports



Solution Details:

Target Release Id:Expected effort:Actual effort:

Reason for Deferral

Reason for Rejection:
	
	 Action Message

      Related Requests

Action History

1	02-APR-2023 14:15:32					DMSYS 010
	DMSYS				DEPT
	Document created
2	02-APR-2023 14:33:37					DMSYS 010
	DMSYS 				DEPT
	Actioned document from RAISED to ANALYSED	
3	02-APR-2023 14:33:41					DMSYS 010
	DMSYS				DEPT
	Actioned document from ANALYSED to VERIFIED&CLOSED
4	02-APR-2023 14:42:59					DMSYS 010
	DMSYS				DEPT
	Actioned document from VERIFIED&CLOSED to IMPLEMENTED
5	02-APR-2023 14:44:17					DMSYS 010
	DMSYS				DEPT
	Actioned document from IMPLEMENTED to VERIFIED&CLOSED
6	02-APR-2023 14:47:20					DMSYS 010
	DMSYS				DEPT
	Actioned document from VERIFIED&CLOSED to IMPLEMENTED
7	02-APR-2023 14:48:13					DMSYS 010
	DMSYS				DEPT
	Actioned document from IMPLEMENTED to CLOSED

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See also: