If your organization uses Dimensions CM projects to manage files, you will check out, check in, and synchronize your files as you work on them.
Generally speaking, you can work in one of the following ways with Dimensions CM projects:
Pessimistically: This model requires all users to explicitly check out every file they will work on before making local changes, and then check it in once they have finished updating it.
Optimistically: This model does not require users to check files out. Users work on files locally, and then regularly synchronize their local workspaces with the repository. During synchronization, users reconcile changes in their workspace with the repository, choosing how to resolve conflicts. The repository is updated with their changes, and their local workspaces are updated with other changes from the repository. For most users in an optimistic environment, synchronization may be the only Dimensions feature that is needed on a regular basis.
About File and Version Management