CHAPTER 7

7 Status Control

From initial planning to completed construction, a typical AVEVA Plant project contains a number of design
disciplines and processes. In order to maximise productivity and minimise costs it is essential to control and
communicate the progress of design activities. The Status Control utility has been developed to assist
designers with this process.

7.1 Overview

The Status Control utility is a highly configurable tool that allows users to control and report on the
progress of model objects. It works by defining a number of Status Values, that describe the current state
of a model object, and applies them to appropriate elements in the constructor modules (i.e. Model, Draw,
Paragon, etc.).

Status Values can perform two functions. They inform the user of an objects current status and they can be
used to influence subsequent design activities.

The terms used to describe Status Values are defined by an Administrator. They may represent project
milestones, WBS elements, percentage completion rates, or they may be simple descriptive terms.

The Administrator will also define the object types that the Status Values can be applied to. The object
type will vary by constructor module e.g. in Draw the object type may be DRWG but in Model the object type
could be PIPE, EQUI, etc.

Data Access Control (DAC) is often applied in conjunction with status control to impose restrictions on
model objects that have reached a particular status. For example, certain activities, such as modifying an
objects position, may be prohibited once a certain status is reached.

Any model object that has one or more status values assigned to it is considered to be a Controlled
Object. It may not be necessary to control all instances of a model object type. As such the Status Control
utility allows the user to select which instances will be controlled.

7.2 The Status Control Data Model

The diagram below illustrates the relationships that are utilised in AVEVA E3D by the Status Control utility:

Copyright 2013. 73 www.aveva.com

AVEVA Solutions Limited and its subsidiaries.
All rights reserved.
 AVEVA Everything3D (1.1)
Model Utilities TM-1802

Status Values are created and stored in the dictionary database hierarchy. Within the Constructor Modules
a Status Link hierarchy is referenced by model objects. The Status Link also references the Status
Value held in the dictionary database. The status link hierarchy is hidden from designers, but it makes
extensive use of pseudo attributes which can be queried by the user if necessary.

7.3 The Status Controller Form

The Status Controller form is the primary tool used by designers to set, change, and report on the status
of model objects. Selecting MANAGE > Status > Control will open the Status Controller form.

When the form is first displayed the title of the form is displayed as Status Controller. Once status
layouts have been created the title of the form will update to reflect the status layout being considered.

The status controller form will display status data in columns. The rows are populated with those objects
that are, or could be, controlled by the selected status definitions. The features of the status controller
form will now be considered in further detail.

7.3.1 The Status Controller Form Option Lists

Two option lists are presented to the user in the Status Controller form; the Status Layout option list and
the Focus Status option list.

The Status Layout options list presents all available

saved status layouts and holds the option that allows the
user to create a new layout.

When the status controller form is first accessed the

options list will be blank and the user will only be able to
select the New Layout option.

Copyright 2013. 74 www.aveva.com

AVEVA Solutions Limited and its subsidiaries.
All rights reserved.
 AVEVA Everything3D (1.1)
Model Utilities TM-1802

Selecting the New Layout option displays the Select Status

Columns form from which the user can select the definitions
required for the layout by checking the appropriate
checkbox. That definition that will then be displayed in the
Focus Status options list

The user can also choose which of the default columns

they wish to display by checking the appropriate checkboxes
beneath the status definition selected.

Clicking the OK button will confirm the action and close the
form. It also opens the Set Layout Scope elements form.

The Set Layout Scope elements form allows the user to define sections of the model that the status layout
will apply to. Clicking the Add button will opens the Reference Browser form. Using the Explorer tab,
users can select from the hierarchy explorers areas of the model in which the status layout will be applied.
Alternatively, model areas and elements can be searched for using the Search tab. Clicking the OK button
will populate the Set Layout Scope Elements form with the selected element.

The scope can be set by highlighting the required element in the Set Layout Scope Elements form then
clicking the OK button.

The Status Controller form grid will then be updated to show the selected columns and the elements which
can be controlled by the selected definition within the selected scope.

The Focus Status options list will be populated with the names of each Status Definition that has been
selected in the layout setup. The Focus Status selected determines the status values that are available for
selection.

Copyright 2013. 75 www.aveva.com

AVEVA Solutions Limited and its subsidiaries.
All rights reserved.
 AVEVA Everything3D (1.1)
Model Utilities TM-1802

The status layout can the be saved by selecting the Save Status Layout button.

This opens the Save Layout As form. This shows the current
saved layouts which the user can select to overwrite, or allows
the entry of a new name in the bottom text box.

Clicking the OK button closes the form and saves the Status
Layout.

The title of the Status Controller form changes to that of the

current Status Layout.

7.3.2 The Status Controller Form Toolbar

The Status Controller form contains several toolbars which allow the user to carry out a number of tasks
relevant to setting and changing status values, reporting, and saving layouts.

By default all toolbars are displayed on the Status Controller form. The
Status Commands toolbar consists of the following buttons:

Promote Promotes a controlled model object to a new status value.

Demote Demotes a controlled model object to a new status value.

Edit Status Allows the user to set a model objects status, in order to
control it. It also allows the user to select a status value from
the valid transition values associated with a status value.
Clicking the Edit Status button opens the Status form.

This form shows the element to which the status is applied,

when the status was last updated and who last updated the
status.

The current status is shown in the drop down Status list.

Expanding this list shows the available status values. At first
the elements loaded will read not controlled. Only once the
initial status has been set is the element controlled.

The status values from this point on will be those set by the
project administrator. However, once the element is controlled
the options to Promote and Demote the element to different
status levels become available (assuming the user has access
rights to do so).

Remove Status Removes the status from a controlled model object i.e. the
model object is no longer controlled by the status definition
selected.

Status History
Statistical Reports
Allows the user to view the status history of a controlled object
(or a selection of controlled objects). Changes of status and
any associated comments will be displayed.
Produces a graphical representation of the status values
assigned to a group of model objects. Non-controlled model
objects can be included and will appear as a group.

Copyright 2013. 76 www.aveva.com

AVEVA Solutions Limited and its subsidiaries.
All rights reserved.
 AVEVA Everything3D (1.1)
Model Utilities TM-1802

The Element Interaction toolbar allows the user to select elements in the Status Control
Grid from the Model Explorer or graphical view. The toolbar consists of the following
buttons:

Select CE in Grid When clicked the Current Element in the Model

Explorer will be selected within the Status Control
grid.

Select CE Members in Grid When clicked the members of the Current Element in
the Model Explorer will be selected within the Status
Control grid.

Select Graphical Selection in Grid When clicked any element(s) selected in the 3D View
will be selected within the Status Control grid.

The Select CE in Grid button only becomes active when a valid element is selected in the Model Explorer.
The Select CE Members in Grid is always active and the Select Graphical Selection in Grid button
becomes active when any element within the 3D View is selected. If either of these two buttons are pressed
and the selected element has no corresponding items in the Status Control Grid one following error
messages will be displayed.

7.3.3 The Status Controller Form Context Menus

The Status Controller form contains context menus that allow the user to customise and save the status
layouts and change and report on status values.

Clicking the right mouse button when the pointer is positioned in the blank row below the Column
Headings will display a context menu. This menu allows users to manipulate how the status layout is
displayed.

Status Layout This option will display the Select Status Columns form.
Users can adjust the default columns displayed in the status layout by
making an appropriate selection in each checkbox. A similar process can be
undertaken for status definitions. Selecting the OK button once the selections
are made will apply the changes and close the form.

Set Layout Scope This option allows the user to define areas of the model
that the status layout will apply to.

Copyright 2013. 77 www.aveva.com

AVEVA Solutions Limited and its subsidiaries.
All rights reserved.
 AVEVA Everything3D (1.1)
Model Utilities TM-1802

Column Setup allows the user to change the column

setup by opening the Column Setup form.

On opening, the Column Setup form will display the

position, expression, heading and Visibility of each
column currently displayed in the status layout.

The order in which existing columns appear in the status

layout grid can be adjusted using this form. Although
multiple rows can be selected, only one column can be re-
positioned at a time.

Select the row corresponding to the column to be shifted

using the cells located at the left side of the form. The up
and down arrows in the top right corner of the form can
then be used to manipulate the position of the column.

Two link labels in the lower section of the form allow the user to add or remove columns. Selecting the Add
Column link label will create a new row at the bottom of the list. The user must enter a suitable attribute in
the Expression column then enter a name in the Heading column.

If the user wishes to remove a column then the Delete Selected Columns link label should be selected. A
number of columns can be deleted at once. The appropriate row (or rows) must be selected using the cells
located on the left side of the form before the delete link label is selected.

The Add Standard Attributes link label adds columns for all the standard attributes for the controlled model
elements.

Settings options, including the resetting and refreshing of cells, behave in a similar manner to other grid
commands in AVEVA E3D applications. Editing functions with suppression of null values and interactive
feedback is supported.

Other commands available from this context menu allow the user to Save the layout, export the data to
Excel and print.

Clicking the right mouse button when the pointer is positioned in the main grid area
of the status layout form will display another context menu. This menu allows users
to set and change status values, report on status values, and save layouts.

It allows the same functionality as the Status Commands Toolbar. Users can set
and edit the status value of any model object(s) selected in the grid. Both the Status
History and Statistical reporting functions can be accessed.

The menu also has a Navigate To option. Selecting this option will navigate to the selected model object in
the Model Explorer.

This function will only work if a single model object is selected in the layout grid.

Copyright 2013. 78 www.aveva.com

AVEVA Solutions Limited and its subsidiaries.
All rights reserved.
 AVEVA Everything3D (1.1)
Model Utilities TM-1802

7.3.4 Reporting Features

At any point a statistical report can be generated for the required elements. Selecting the required elements
in the grid and clicking the Statistical Report button on the Status Controller toolbar displays the default
graphical statistical report.

Each status value is reported on with a legend showing the colours used in the report. By moving the mouse
pointer over each category of the chart the segement is highlighted and the status value, number of
objects and percentage of controlled objects is displayed in a separate box.

Right clicking with the pointer in the chart legend displays a context menu. The Chart Type option enables a
variety of 2D and 3D report formats to be selected.

The Chart Legend option has a sub-menu that enables the user to change the
position of the legend around the Statistical Report frame or turn it off completely.
The default position of the chart legend is Right.

Selecting another option places a check mark on the sub-menu to denote the
current selection.

Copyright 2013. 79 www.aveva.com

AVEVA Solutions Limited and its subsidiaries.
All rights reserved.
 AVEVA Everything3D (1.1)
Model Utilities TM-1802

The right click pop-up menu also allows the chart to be Printed or Saved. Statistical reports are saved as an
XML file. Any reports that are saved can also be Loaded to view again using the Right click pop-up menu.

Right clicking on the statistical graphic provides another pop-up menu.

List Elements - will list all the elements which fall within the statistical group
currently selected.

Add To 3D View - adds the elements within the statistical group to the 3D view.

Edit Status - opens the Status form and allows the user to change the status for
the elements within the selected statistical group.

Status History - opens the Status History form for the elements within the
selected statistical group.

7.3.4.1 Status History

The Status History of model objects may also be checked. Selecting an object from the Status Controller
form grid then right clicking and selecting Status History from the context menu, or clicking the Status
History button on the Status Commands Toolbar displays the Status History form.

All transition events associated with the object are listed. The comment field will display the last comment
associated with each status.

Copyright 2013. 80 www.aveva.com

AVEVA Solutions Limited and its subsidiaries.
All rights reserved.
 AVEVA Everything3D (1.1)
Model Utilities TM-1802

7.4 Using the Status Controller Form A Worked Example

This example utilises the pipes created in AREA01 and a number of Status Definitions and Values stored in
a provided dictionary database.

Exit AVEVA E3D then re-enter AVEVA E3D as a Piping Designer using the details provided by the Trainer,
for example:

Project: Training (TRA)

Username: A.PIPER

Password: A

MDB: A-PIPING

Module: Model.

Select PIPING from the application option list in the quick access toolbar.

7.4.1 Creating and Configuring the Status Layout

Navigate to the MANAGE tab then click the Control button from the Status group to display the Status
Controller form.

Before setting the specifc objects to be contolled (in this case pipes) it is necessary to configure the Status
Controller form. This can be done by creating a new layout based around a Status Definition that has
already been created.

Select New Layout from the Status Layout options

list to display the Select Status Columns form.

All valid Status Definitions will be displayed in the

form. Expand the Status Definition DEFINITION
FOR CRITICAL PIPE WORKFLOW then select the
checkbox adjacent to it. Click the OK button.

The Set Layout Scope Elements form is

automatically opened.

Copyright 2013. 81 www.aveva.com

AVEVA Solutions Limited and its subsidiaries.
All rights reserved.
 AVEVA Everything3D (1.1)
Model Utilities TM-1802

Click the Add button on the right of the form.

The Reference Browser form will be displayed.

Ensure the Model tab is selected at the base of

the form. Expand the hierarchy tree and select
SITE-PIPING-AREA01 then click the OK button.

The scope will be displayed in the Set Layout

Scope Elements form. Click the OK button.

In the Status Controller form click the Save

Status Layout button on the status commands
toolbar to display the Save Layout As form.

Enter Critical Pipes in the textbox at the bottom

of the form and then click the OK button.

The default columns are now displayed in the Status Controller form along with all instances of the
controllable model object type (in this case PIPE) present in scope area selected. It is possible to controll a
sub-set of the selected PIPE model objects by filtering the displayed data.

This example will focus on pipes with a specification of A3B. To assist the user in identifying the correct
pipes, a further column will be added to the status controller form.

With the mouse pointer centred on the Name column heading, click the right mouse button to display the
context menu. From the menu, select the Column Setup option.

From the lower section of the Column Setup form select the
Add Column link label. A new row will be added to the form.

Enter PSPEC in the Expression and Heading fields then click

the OK button. The Column Setup form will close and the
Status Controller form updates to show the new PSPEC
column at the far right of the form.

Click on the PSPEC heading and drag it to a position adjacent

to the Owner column. Using the drop down list under the
PSPEC heading select A3B from the filter options.

The Status Controller form should now look similar to this:

Copyright 2013. 82 www.aveva.com

AVEVA Solutions Limited and its subsidiaries.
All rights reserved.
 AVEVA Everything3D (1.1)
Model Utilities TM-1802

Model objects that are not already shown in the 3D display can be selected in the Status Controller
form and dragged into the display.

7.4.2 Controlling Model Objects and Status Values

Althought the Status Controller form has been configured and the data displayed has been filtered, no
model objects have a status value assigned to them. By default model objects will not be controlled. The
user must select the specific model objects they wish to control and set a status value for them.

Select all the A3B pipes displayed in the Status Controller form (standard Shift and
Ctrl key selections can be used).

Using the Edit Status button from the Status toolbar, or the right click context
menu of the main grid, select the Edit Status option. The Status form will be
displayed.

The Status form allows the user to set the status of the model
objects selected and make a comment that will be associated
with the Status Transition.

Selecting either the Apply button or the OK button will action the
status change.

Using this method the user can set the objects status to any of
the valid transiton values.

Select the AWAITING RESOURCES option and add a suitable

comment before selecting the OK button.

The pipes with specification set to A3B are now controlled

objects. Buttons and menu options associated with adjusting the
objects status are now active.

Select pipe 200-B-4 from the status controller form then select the Promote button from the Status
Commands Toolbar.

The Status form is again displayed, however this time the new
Status has been selected automatically as the Promote setting
was defined in Lexicon.

Enter a suitable comment then select the OK button.

The Status Controller grid will update to reflect the new status.

Copyright 2013. 83 www.aveva.com

AVEVA Solutions Limited and its subsidiaries.
All rights reserved.
 AVEVA Everything3D (1.1)
Model Utilities TM-1802

Continue to Promote /200-B-4 until it reaches status CONFIRM STRESS OK.

The status CONFIRM STRESS OK has two valid transitions.

Select the Demote option from the Status Command toolbar to
display the Status form.

The form is automatically populated with the Demote Status

Value set in Lexicon.

Enter a suitable comment then click the OK button.

It may become neccesary to remove Status Control from certain

model objects. This may be due to an initial selection error, or
perhaps a more appropriate status definition has been created to
suit the project workflow. In either case, the designer can remove
Status Control from model objects at any time.

The required objects must first be selected in the Status Controller form.

Once this is done, the user can select either the Remove Status button from
the Status Command toolbar, or select the Remove Status option from the
context menu.

A confirmation message is displayed for each item

selected in the Status Controller grid.

The user can accept or reject each error message

using the Yes or No buttons. If the user is certain
that all items should be changed they can select the
Yes to All Button.

If Status Control is removed from a model object it will be recorded in the objects status history.
However, there is no comment facility associated with this status change.

Copyright 2013. 84 www.aveva.com

AVEVA Solutions Limited and its subsidiaries.
All rights reserved.
 AVEVA Everything3D (1.1)
Model Utilities TM-1802

Exercise 6 Status Control

Using the Edit Status option, promote the following pipes to the corresponding status values:

PIPES STATUS
100-B-1, 100-B-2, 250-B-5, 80-B-7 PROVISIONAL LAYOUT

150-B-6, 100-B-8, 40-B-10 CONFIRM STRESS OK

50-B-9 ISSUED TO DRAFT TEAM

80-B-14 Not Controlled

Prepare a series of statistical reports to show the status of the controlled objects and view the history of
several objects and verify this against the status changes made.

Copyright 2013. 85 www.aveva.com

AVEVA Solutions Limited and its subsidiaries.
All rights reserved.
 AVEVA Everything3D (1.1)
Model Utilities TM-1802

This page is intentionally left blank.

Copyright 2013. 86 www.aveva.com

AVEVA Solutions Limited and its subsidiaries.
All rights reserved.