Use method status

Method approval is defined in the Control Panel project settings. Method approval allows you to assign a method status to acquisition, sample prep, and processing methods. Users with the right to create and modify a method should also be assigned the Use Generic Method role to be able to open the generic method they have created.

This feature is only available with on systems configured to use Content Management as the data storage location.

The method status is displayed on the Method properties page. The following method statuses may be applied to methods:

• Generic: Indicates that the method has not yet been approved for use. This is the default status. A generic method can be used only if the user is assigned the Use generic method privilege. Only generic methods can be edited and saved.
• Approved: Indicates that the method has been approved for use. An approved method can always be used. Once a method is approved, it can no longer be edited.
• Obsolete: Indicates that the method can no longer be used. Once a method is obsoleted, it can not be changed to generic or approved.

If a project has Enforce method approval enabled in Control Panel, users will be prevented from using Generic or Obsolete methods unless they have the appropriate privileges. Only Approved methods can be used by users without specialized privileges.

If an acquisition method is defined as Obsolete while runs are pending using that method, the runs will continue.

If a user who does not have appropriate privileges attempts to submit a single run or sequence using a generic or obsolete method, they will receive a warning and the submission will be prevented.

Methods with an Approved status cannot be modified.

Downloading and then importing a method with an Approved or Obsoleted method status from ECM XT is not supported. In such a case, the method status is considered Generic when submitting a run with this method (even if an Approved or Obsoleted method status is shown in the method properties).

To change an Acquisition or Sample Prep method status,

1. Load the method.
2. Click General > Properties to view details for the method.
3. Reviewing the method audit trail is not enforced before modifying a method status. If your process requires you to review the method audit trail before changing the method status, click Show Audit Trail. When you're done reviewing the changes, click Close.
4. Select an option from the Method status drop down list (you must have the Change method status privilege).
5. In the Change Method Status dialog, provide your password to confirm the change.
   
   After changing the status, the method is automatically saved. Depending on the audit trails settings for the project in the Control Panel, you may be asked to provide a reason for the change. The reason will be visible in the method audit trail.
   
   If the status change was the only modification, the method version remains the same. A new method version is only created if there are other changes as well.

To change a Processing method, see Change method status in Data Analysis.