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Blueprint Library

The blueprint library is the central catalogue of all reporting blueprints in your workspace. Report owners, admins, and contributors use it to find, create, duplicate, and manage the report structures used each reporting cycle.

Report Forge blueprint library

What the library shows​

Column / AreaPurpose
Blueprint nameThe display name set during blueprint creation.
DescriptionShort description of the report's purpose and audience.
OwnerThe user responsible for the blueprint.
StatusDraft, Published, or Archived.
FrequencyReporting cadence (weekly, monthly, quarterly, etc.).
Last activityDate of the most recent edition, output, or blueprint change.
ActionsOpen, Duplicate, Archive, or Delete (permission-dependent).

Finding blueprints​

Use the library search and filter controls:

FilterDescription
SearchFull-text search on blueprint name and description.
StatusFilter to Draft only, Published only, or Archived.
OwnerFilter to blueprints owned by a specific user.
Project / ScopeFilter to blueprints associated with a specific project or portfolio.
Report typeFilter by category tag (progress, financial, safety, quality, etc.).
CadenceFilter by reporting frequency.

Creating a blueprint​

  1. Click + New Blueprint.
  2. Choose a starting point:
    • Blank blueprint — start from scratch.
    • From template — select a starter blueprint from the built-in template library.
    • Duplicate an existing blueprint — copy a blueprint as a starting point.
  3. Enter a name, description, and owner.
  4. Click Create.

The new blueprint opens directly in the Blueprint Designer.

Duplicating a blueprint​

Duplication copies the full blueprint structure — all sections, fields, form layouts, permissions, and output templates — as a new Draft blueprint. Use duplication when:

  • The same report structure is needed for a different project.
  • You want to test changes to a live blueprint without affecting the active reporting cycle.
  • A new report type is very similar to an existing one.
  1. Find the blueprint in the library.
  2. Click the ... menu on the blueprint card → Duplicate.
  3. Enter a new name and owner.
  4. Click Duplicate.

The duplicate is created as a Draft. Update the new blueprint before publishing.

Publishing a blueprint​

Publishing makes a blueprint available to contributors for new editions. Unpublished (Draft) blueprints are only visible to Admins and the blueprint owner.

  1. Open the blueprint in the Blueprint Designer.
  2. Review all sections, fields, and form layouts.
  3. Click Publish in the header.
  4. Add an optional version note.
  5. Confirm.

Published blueprints show the Published status badge in the library.

Archiving a blueprint​

Archive a blueprint when it is no longer used for active reporting but you want to preserve its history:

  1. Find the blueprint in the library.
  2. Click ... → Archive.
  3. Confirm.

Archived blueprints:

  • Are hidden from the default library view (use the Status filter to show Archived).
  • Cannot be used to create new editions.
  • Retain all existing editions, outputs, and version history.
  • Can be restored to Draft status by an Admin.

Deleting a blueprint​

Deleting a blueprint permanently removes it and all associated editions, outputs, and history. This action cannot be undone.

caution

Deletion is irreversible. Archive blueprints instead unless you are certain the data is no longer needed.

Only Admins can delete blueprints. Deletion requires confirmation.

Library governance best practices​

PracticeWhy
Use a naming conventionInclude report type, scope, and cadence in the name (e.g. "PROJ-001 Monthly Progress").
Keep descriptions up to dateA good description prevents duplicate blueprints being created by team members who don't recognise an existing one.
Assign a clear ownerEvery blueprint should have a named owner who is responsible for keeping its structure current.
Archive instead of deleteHistorical blueprints are valuable for audit, training, and retrospective reporting.
Limit Draft blueprintsWork-in-progress blueprints clutter the library. Use private drafts and publish promptly.
Review the library quarterlyCheck for stale blueprints, duplicates, or abandoned drafts and resolve them.