How does checkout for synchronize determine if a file needs to be updated/refreshed?
CA Harvest SCM: All versions and platforms
Checkout for synchronize depends upon the information in the existing signature file [harvest.sig] on the client path. If the file's information in the signature file is the same as the latest version in the harvest repository, then there is no need to update.
NOTE: Changing the file's "Date Modified" timestamp in the file system does not affect this.
So, the developer needs to ensure that the correct context is set and the relevant client path is chosen.
You can read more about the signature files in the documentation here: Use Check-In and Check-Out in CA Harvest SCM - Signature files