Attribute Syncing

Sync Attribute Values between Parent and Child Items

Attribute Syncing allows you to sync Attribute Values between Parent and Child Items. When activated, modifying an Attribute on a Parent Item will automatically update the corresponding Attribute on Child Items to the same value. You can also configure the sync to work in the opposite direction or bi-directionally. 

Overall, Attribute Syncing helps you automate matching Attribute Values between Parent and Child Items, saving clicks while organizing and tagging Items in a nesting structure. 

Use Cases

• Use Attribute Syncing to ensure your projects, improvements, and charts align with your strategic initiatives. Instead of manually selecting the appropriate Attribute Value on Items nested beneath an initiative, Attribute Syncing can streamline the process, automatically tagging Items with their Parent's Attribute Value. 
• Utilize Attribute Syncing to indicate the current condition of a top-level project based on its Child Items. For example, you can configure Attribute Syncing so that if one Child Item is marked "Off Track," the Parent Item will also update to show "Off Track." 
• Automate the process of prioritizing work. With Attribute Syncing and a Priority Attribute, you can instantaneously change the priority of Child Items based on their Parent's priority. 

How does it work? 

Your Customer Success Manager will help you design this feature for your specific use case, but here are some tips for how Attribute Syncing works: 

• Attribute Syncing is available for Value, Person, and Location Attributes.
• The Parent and the Child Item must have the same Attribute on their Template. They can be created from different Templates or the same Template. 
• Attribute Syncing is configured at the Template level, meaning all Items created from the Template will follow the same Attribute Syncing logic. It can't be enabled on an Item-by-Item basis. 
• Attribute Syncing only occurs on one nesting level, meaning only the immediate Parent or Child Items are affected. 
• There are three configuration options for the direction you want the syncing to occur: Inherit Parent, Inherit Child, and Bidirectional. 

Inherit Parent

The first configuration option is for Child Items to inherit their Parent's Attribute Value. When you update the Attribute on the Parent, all its Child Items will automatically update to the same value. 

Inherit Child

The second configuration option is for Parent Items to inherit the Attribute Values of their children. When you update the Attribute on a Child Item, the Parent Item will automatically update to the same value. 

If a Parent Item has multiple children, it will inherit the value of the most recently updated Child Item. 

Bidirectional 

The third configuration option is having the sync occur in both directions. Child Items will inherit the Attribute Value of their Parent, and Parent Items will inherit the Attribute Value of their children. 

If a Parent Item has multiple children, it will inherit the value of the most recently updated Child Item.

Attribute Syncing while Nesting an Item

When you create a Child Item with an Attribute configured to inherit the Attribute Value of its parent, the Attribute will auto-populate with the inherited value after the Item is created. 

When will Attribute Values NOT sync? 

• Archived and Complete Items will not be affected by Attribute Syncing.
• Attribute Value updates on Archived and Complete Items will not affect open Items. 
• Attributes in AdHoc Fields are not supported. 
• Impact Attributes and Weighted Score Attributes are not supported. 
• Attribute Syncing will not occur while Bulk Changing Attribute Values. 
• Attribute Syncing will not occur while updating Attribute Values through imports or API. 
• Attribute Syncing will only apply to the first 100 Child Items for performance reasons. 

Recommended Reading

• What is an Attribute?
• Conditional Attribute Values