Project hangs at Opening XML File when launching to MSP using the CA PPM new driver

Products

• CLARITY PPM FOR ITG

Issue/Introduction

When I open a project from CA PPM to Microsoft Project (MSP), it hangs and the message in Microsoft Project shows that it’s opening the XML file. Project is never opened. 

If I force close Microsoft Project and open the project again from CA PPM, I get a prompt in Microsoft Project saying “The last time you opened ‘PRJ0123.xml’, it caused a serious error. Do you still want to open it?”. Click 'Yes' and the project starts stalling and never opens. 

 

Steps to Reproduce:

1. Log in to CA PPM
2. Go to a Project, from the General properties page click on the Open in Schedule drop-down, choose Microsoft Project (either Read-Write or Read Only)
3. Microsoft Project application will be launched, observe the project being opened there

Expected Result: Project is opened

Actual Result:  Project is stalled and never opened, a message at the bottom of Microsoft Project's application shows "Opening the XML File".

Cause

One known cause is due to a problem introduced by the December 2015 update for Microsoft Office from Microsoft. However, this may also be noticed for certain projects on other Microsoft Project versions.

Environment

MSP New Driver

Resolution

Solution 1: If on CA PPM 14.4 MSP New Driver or higher, upgrade to the latest supported CA PPM Microsoft Project Update
See KB KB000011553 for the list of supported Microsoft Project updates for the MSP New Driver 14.4 and higher. 

Solution 2: If on CA PPM 14.3 or lower, note that Microsoft Project updates are not supported and can cause multiple issues
Uninstall and block any future automatic installation of the December 2015 update, including any later update from Microsoft update for Microsoft Project. Do not apply any newer update unless it is certified by CA according to the Compatibility section from the CA PPM documentation.

To identify which Microsoft Office update is installed and uninstall an update:

1. Click the Start key on your keyboard
2. Then click on Control Panel > Uninstall a Program > View Installed Updates

       3. Sort the list of updates by 'Program'
       4. Review the rows listed for Microsoft Project Professional (or Standard)) and look for:

• KB3114366 for Project 2013
• KB3114419 for Project 2010
• Or any KB with Microsoft Project in the Name column 

       5. Right click on the row to uninstall

Additional Information

See the following Master KB for other known issues related to opening projects in MSP with CA PPM:

• 138671 - Issues opening one or more projects in MSP from Clarity PPM - List of Known KBs

For help on other known MSP issues, see the following KBs:

• Reference KB000071385 - CA PPM and MSP integration - List of Knowledge Documents
• Reference KB000015956 - CA PPM and MSP integration known defects - Support Technical Document Index

Related Microsoft Project (MSP) Updates:

• December 2015 update for MSP 2013 https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3114366
• December 2015 update for MSP 2010 https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3114419