PLUG info from the experts

Why are there PLUG elements in the Work Breakdown
Structure?

Question

Why are there PLUG elements in the Work Breakdown Structure?

Answer

PLUG elements are generated by wInsight Administrator during the import of a transfer
file.
A PLUG element is an anonymous element whose sole purpose is to maintain data that
once existed at what is now a summary level element.
Background: It is important to understand that all data is input in wInsight at the lowest level.
Example: WBS 3200 is a level 3 element when the contract was started.
For the first six months, this element was routinely updated for earned value.
In the seventh month, it was decided to expose more detail below this element by
adding WBS elements 3210, 3220, and 3230.
This changes WBS 3200 from a child (lowest level element) to a parent.
Element 3200 can no longer be visible in the input screen because it is a parent, not
a child.
The question is, what happens to the sixth months worth of data?
In this case, wInsight creates an anonymous element called PLUG for the purpose of
retaining the past history when data was entered for WBS 3200. Some users make the
mistake of deleting this PLUG element because there is no data for it in the seventh
month. However, by deleting this element, you erase all the prior history data that was
once entered in WBS 3200, which is now PLUG. In some cases, the PLUG element can
be deleted because the element that it represents never had data input in the first place.
Resolution: It is our recommendation that PLUG elements be dealt with in two ways:
Option #1: If there is any historical data in the PLUG element:
1. Open the Elements table under Contract Setup.
2. Rename PLUG to some logical WBS Number in that part of the WBS tree.
3. Also, rename the Sort value as well.
Note: Retaining the PLUG identity may cause difficulties later on should the PLUG become a
parent of another PLUG.
Option #2: If you can verify and be absolutely certain that no data has ever existed in the PLUG
element even going back to the first period of data input, then you can delete the PLUG element
in the Elements table.
Important Note: Naturally, before deleting anything, always create a Backup file.