Documentum Interview Questions

  

Q: Can you explain the difference between a Documentum repository and a Documentum cabinet?

A: A Documentum repository is the main storage location for documents and other content within the Documentum platform. It is a logical container that holds all the data and metadata associated with the content. A Documentum cabinet, on the other hand, is a physical container that holds one or more repositories. It is used to group together related repositories and provide a higher level of organization and management.

 

Q: How do you set up a workflow in Documentum?

A: To set up a workflow in Documentum, you first need to define the various tasks and steps that make up the workflow using the dm_process object type. Next, you use the dm_route object type to define the order of tasks and the users or groups responsible for each task. Finally, you use the dm_workflow object type to bring all the tasks and routes together into a single workflow.

 

Q: How do you configure security in Documentum?

A: To configure security in Documentum, you can use the built-in security features such as access control lists (ACLs) and groups. You can create groups and assign different permissions to them, then assign users to those groups. Additionally, you can use Documentum's Content Security feature to encrypt and digitally sign documents, and use security templates to apply security settings to multiple documents at once.

 

Q: Can you explain the difference between a Documentum lifecycle and a Documentum workflow?

A: A Documentum lifecycle defines the stages that a document or content goes through during its lifecycle, and the transitions between these stages. It is used to manage the various stages of a document's lifecycle, such as creation, review, approval, and archiving. A Documentum workflow, on the other hand, is a set of automated processes that are used to manage the movement of documents through the lifecycle. It is used to automate tasks such as routing, approvals, and notifications.

 

Q: How do you perform document check-in and check-out in Documentum?

A: To perform check-in and check-out in Documentum, you use the dm_checkin and dm_checkout methods. When you check-out a document, it is locked for editing and a working copy is created. When you are finished editing the document, you check it back in, which updates the original document and makes it available to other users.

 

 

 

Q: How do you create a custom document type in Documentum?

A: To create a custom document type in Documentum, you first create a new class in the Documentum repository using the dm_document object type as the parent. You can then add custom attributes and metadata to the class, and define custom behavior using event handlers and methods.

 

Q: How do you manage document versions in Documentum?

A: Documentum has a built-in versioning feature that allows you to manage multiple versions of a document. When a document is checked in, a new version is created and the previous version is retained. You can view and compare different versions of a document, and also can promote or demote versions, depending on the requirement.

 

Q: How do you configure Documentum for content search and retrieval?

A: To configure Documentum for content search and retrieval, you use the built-in Full-Text Search and Retrieval (FTS) feature. This allows you to index and search for content within the repository, and also you can use the query builder, a built-in tool that allows you to create complex queries and search for specific content. Additionally, you can also use the Documentum search services for more advanced searching capabilities.

 

Q: How do you troubleshoot common Documentum issues?

A: To troubleshoot common Documentum issues, you can use the Documentum Administrator client to view the system logs and check for error messages. Additionally, you can also use the Documentum Supportability Tool (DST) to gather diagnostic information and help identify the root cause of the issue. Finally, you can also consult the Documentum documentation and online resources, and also reach out to Documentum support team for assistance.

 

Q: Can you explain how routing works in Documentum Workflow?

A: Routing in Documentum Workflow is the process of moving documents or content through a series of tasks or steps. This is done using the dm_route object, which defines the order of tasks and the users or groups responsible for each task. The dm_route object also allows you to set conditions and rules to control the flow of the document through the workflow.

 

Q: How do you handle parallel and serial routing in Documentum Workflow?

A: In parallel routing, multiple tasks are assigned to different users simultaneously and they can be completed in any order. In serial routing, tasks are completed one after the other in a specific order. Parallel routing can be implemented using the dm_parallel object, while serial routing can be implemented using the dm_sequence object.

 

Q: How do you assign tasks in Documentum Workflow?

A: Tasks in Documentum Workflow are assigned using the dm_workitem object. The dm_workitem object contains information such as the status, due date, and assignee of the task. You can assign tasks to specific users or groups, and also can set up escalations to automatically reassign tasks if they are not completed on time.

 

Q: How do you handle approval processes in Documentum Workflow?

A: Approval processes in Documentum Workflow can be handled using the dm_process object, which represents a specific task or step within a workflow. You can set up approval tasks and assign them to specific users or groups, and also can set up notifications to alert users when an approval is required.

 

Q: Can you explain how event handlers work in Documentum Workflow?

A: Event handlers in Documentum Workflow are used to define custom behavior for specific events within a workflow. For example, you can use event handlers to automatically send an email notification when a task is completed, or to automatically update a document's metadata when it is checked in. Event handlers are implemented using the dm_event object, which is associated with a specific workflow or task.

 

Q: How do you handle error and exception handling in Documentum Workflow?

A: Error and exception handling in Documentum Workflow can be handled using the dm_exception object. This object allows you to define custom behavior for specific errors or exceptions that may occur within a workflow. Additionally, you can also use the dm_workflow_exception object, which provides more detailed information about the exception and can be used to troubleshoot and resolve the issue.

 

Question: Can you explain the Documentum lifecycle?

Answer: The Documentum lifecycle refers to the process of managing the creation, storage, and disposition of documents and content within the Documentum platform. This includes stages such as creating and uploading documents, reviewing and approving them, publishing them for access, and eventually archiving or disposing of them. The lifecycle also includes the ability to track and manage versions of documents, as well as manage access and security.

 

Question: How does the Documentum lifecycle differ from other content management systems?

Answer: The Documentum lifecycle offers a more robust and comprehensive approach to managing content compared to other systems. It includes advanced features such as workflow and approval processes, version control, and access and security controls. Additionally, it also provides advanced archival and disposition capabilities, allowing for the management of content throughout its entire lifecycle.

 

Question: Can you walk us through an example of a document's lifecycle within Documentum?

Answer: Sure, let's say we have a document that is a proposal for a new project. The document would start in the creation stage, where it is created and uploaded to the Documentum platform by the author. Then, it would go through a review and approval process, where it is reviewed and approved by relevant stakeholders. Once approved, it would be published for access and distribution to the relevant parties. As the project progresses, updates and revisions to the document would be made and tracked through version control. Once the project is completed, the document would be archived or disposed of according to the organization's retention policies.

 

Question: How do you manage access and security within the Documentum lifecycle?

Answer: Access and security are managed through a combination of user roles and permissions, as well as document-level security settings. User roles and permissions are assigned to individuals, allowing them to perform certain actions within the platform such as creating, editing, or deleting documents. Document-level security settings allow for the restriction of access to specific documents or groups of documents based on user roles or permissions. Additionally, sensitive information can be encrypted and protected through the use of digital rights management (DRM) features.

 

 

Question: Can you explain what an ACL is in the context of Documentum?

 

Answer: An ACL, or Access Control List, is a feature within Documentum that allows administrators to control access to objects within the system, such as documents and folders. It allows for the assignment of specific permissions, such as read, write, or delete, to individual users or groups of users. This allows for granular control over who has access to certain documents and what actions they can perform on them.

 

Question: How do you create and manage ACLs in Documentum?

 

Answer: ACLs are created and managed through the Documentum Administrator client. Administrators can create new ACLs and assign them to specific objects within the system. They can also assign specific permissions, such as read or write, to individual users or groups of users within the ACL. Additionally, administrators can also create and manage groups within the system, which can then be added to an ACL to assign permissions to multiple users at once.

 

Question: How does Documentum handle inheritance of ACLs?

 

Answer: Documentum uses a hierarchical approach to ACL inheritance. When an ACL is assigned to a folder, the permissions assigned within the ACL are inherited by all objects within that folder, including subfolders and documents. However, administrators can also choose to override the inherited permissions at the object level, giving them even more granular control over access and permissions.

 

Question: Can you give an example of how an ACL could be used in a real-world scenario within Documentum?

 

Answer: Let's say a company is using Documentum to store and manage their financial documents. They want to ensure that only the finance team has access to the financial documents, but they also want to give certain members of the team the ability to edit or delete those documents. The administrator would create an ACL called "Finance Team" and assign it to the folder containing the financial documents. They would then assign read and write permissions to the finance team members that need to edit or delete the documents, and read-only permissions to the rest of the team. This ensures that only the finance team has access to the financial documents, and that only certain members of the team have the ability to edit or delete them.