Can Propagation be used on unrelated documents?

Propagation in the context of document management typically refers to the process of applying certain attributes, settings, or changes from one document to related documents within a defined hierarchy or structure. The principle behind this is that related documents often share commonalities, such as metadata, categories, or management protocols that can be effectively adjusted in bulk to ensure consistency and streamline the management process.

When it comes to unrelated documents, applying propagation would not be effective or appropriate. Unrelated documents may differ significantly in context, content, and requirements, making blanket changes across them potentially disruptive or irrelevant. For instance, altering metadata or settings on unrelated documents could lead to confusion, data mismanagement, or loss of specific document functionalities.

Therefore, propagation is inherently designed for related documents only, reinforcing the concept that it cannot be applied to unrelated items in a document management system. This specificity helps maintain the integrity and organization of the documents, ensuring that applicable changes are relevant and beneficial to the intended set of documents.