If you’re managing design changes in Autodesk Vault, you might be wondering: Can Engineering Change Orders (ECOs) work in a Vault that’s not item-based? The short answer is yes, and there’s more flexibility than you might think.
Whether you’re using Vault in a file-based or item-based configuration, ECOs can help streamline your change management process, enforce control, and ensure traceability.
Using ECOs in a File-Based Vault
Even if your Autodesk Vault Professional environment doesn’t use Items, you can still leverage ECOs to track, review, and approve design changes. Many organizations prefer a File-level approach, and Vault supports this by allowing ECOs to manage state transitions and documentation without requiring an Item-centric workflow.
While there’s limited video content specific to ECOs in file-based Vaults, sessions like Working with Items in Vault on KETIV Virtual Academy still offer relevant insights into how change orders can work with or without items.
Using ECOs in an Item-Based Vault
If your Autodesk Vault setup includes items, ECOs become even more powerful. You can configure them to automatically transition Item and File states upon approval, helping ensure that everything moves to “Released” or another defined state in sync with the ECO lifecycle.
This level of automation improves efficiency and minimizes manual steps in the release process. Vault administrators can set this up through lifecycle definitions and transition rules in the Vault settings.
Can ECOs Trigger State Changes Automatically?
Yes! In Item-based Vaults, state transitions can be automated based on the status of an ECO. For example, once an ECO is closed and approved, you can configure Vault to automatically update the lifecycle state of linked Items and Files. This alignment between change control and data state management is key for maintaining data integrity.
Best Practices for Using ECOs in Vault
The most effective change management systems are the ones that mirror how your team actually works. Here are some best practices:
- Customize the Engineering Change Order workflow to fit your company’s processes.
- Set clear lifecycle states and transition rules for items and files.
- Engage all stakeholders in the change process.
- Use automation wherever possible to reduce manual errors and speed up approvals.
Many companies combine items and files in their ECO workflows for tighter control and traceability. If you’re looking for a step-by-step breakdown of how this works in the real world, check out this KETIV Virtual Academy session on managing ECO routings.
You Asked, We Listened
This blog post was inspired by a great question from our YouTube community:
“Can you use ECOs in Vault if you’re not using items?”
And now you know—yes, you can (and we told you how to do it right). We love hearing from you, and we’re always here to dig deeper into the topics you care about. So keep those questions coming!
Drop your questions in the comments on our YouTube, or connect with us on Linkedin.
We’re listening—and we’re building future content around what you want to learn. Because at the end of the day, it’s not just about software—it’s about empowering you to do your best work.