2 Part Question - Splitting Large metadata models / recovering lost metdata

[nitro001]

All,

this is really a 2 part question, but related.
We had a manager that just left recently left that had created a couple models for our advancement division and published them into production via a model he created, however, the cpf model file can not be found anymore and we feel he had overwritten it, possibly on accident while working on a replacement that he never published.  However, they need to make a change to this model.  I do not see any option in framework manager to extract an existing model from Cognos and pull it back into Framework Manager.  I know this thing has to be stored somewhere, but not sure where.  Can someone point me in the right direction on where to retrieve it.

Also, the model we are using for Cognos was provided along with a 3rd party vendor with their erp solution and we are using that as our base model, however it is a larger model, 25MB XML file, I'm sure there are much larger out there.  Our new manager has the idea, which I can see to some extent, that he would like to have a BI expert in each division that would be able to manage their models then one overall modeller to review those models and oversee the final imports into production.  I would like to split this model into the smaller chunks that more closely relate to our business model, but I don't know if it is just easier to do a copy/paste to a new model, or find some tool, as I need to make sure I am able to keep track of changes they make to their respective models so I am aware of what to promote and review.  How this is related to the first part, is if a modeller, promotes something to their test and leaves, and does something to their model when they leave, I might need to recover it.

If anyone has any thoughts, feelings, or other approaches to take on this matter I am all ears, I haven't committed to anything yet, I am just looking at options.  Currently Modelling is about 35 - 50% of my time and I am transitioning out of this position in a couple months as they have just posted my replacement position on our job boards, but I want to start something in the right direction for whoever comes into this next.

[MFGF]

Hi,

Part 1: If your original cpf file has gone, you may be able to replay all the actions taken to create it if you still have the logs.  Take a look in the project's logs folder - hopefully you will find the .xml log files are intact.  If so, create a new project in Framework Manager, and from the Tools menu, use the Run Script option.  Navigate to the logs folder of the old project and replay the actions from each log file, selecting them in chronological order.

Part 2: You might consider splitting your overall project into a series of segments which can be edited independently.  From your stated requirements, it's probably also worth configuring FM to use a source control system (either SourceSafe or CVS - both are supported).  Each developer will then need to check out their respecive segment before they can modify it, then check it back in again once complete.  You would then have the option of checking out an earlier version if something untoward happens.

Best regards,

MF.