If you have permission to update protocols created by other users, you can use Update to revise a published protocol without duplicating it into a separate protocol.
Before you start
You need administrator permission to update another user's protocol. If Update is not available, check with your administrator or Synthace Support.
Coordinate with the original author before making changes, especially if they have an unpublished draft.
Publishing the update makes you the author of the updated protocol. If the original author is not an administrator, they will no longer be able to update it.
1. Start an update
Open Protocols from the navigation menu.
Find the published protocol you want to update.
Open its three-dot menu and select Update.
2. Create a new draft
If there is no existing unpublished draft, select New Draft in the Update Protocol dialog.
If the original author already has an unpublished draft, you will be prompted to delete it before continuing. This prevents conflicting drafts based on older protocol versions.
Important: Deleting the draft removes that unpublished work. Check with the original author and record any changes you need to keep before proceeding. If you are not ready to delete the draft, cancel the update.
3. Make your changes
Edit the protocol draft as needed.
You can also edit its underlying workflow. If you change the workflow, save your changes before returning to the protocol.
On the Define your protocol screen, review the protocol configuration and select Next to continue through the remaining setup screens.
4. Publish the updated protocol
Review the protocol details and proceed to the Publish updated protocol dialog.
Review the tags and choose the appropriate Visibility setting: Only You or Everyone.
Select Update to publish the new version.
Check visibility before publishing rather than assuming the previous setting will be retained.
What happens after publication?
A new version is created. The updated version becomes the latest version and is used by default in the future.
Previous versions remain available. You can still view and use them by selecting a previous version from the protocol dropdown.
Authorship changes. You become the author of the updated protocol. The original author does not retain the ability to update it simply because they authored the previous version; if they are not an administrator, they cannot update it.
The original version is not deleted. Items derived from that version are not deleted as part of the protocol update.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to duplicate and delete the original protocol?
No. Use Update to publish a new version of the same protocol while retaining previous versions.
Can I update the workflow as well as the protocol?
Yes. The update process allows you to edit the underlying workflow as well as the protocol configuration.
Why do I need to delete an existing draft?
An older draft could conflict with the new version you are creating. The update process requires the existing draft to be deleted before you continue.