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Dynamics 365 Community / Forums / Customer experience | Sales, Customer Insights,... / Project Operations ins...
Customer experience | Sales, Customer Insights,...
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Project Operations install Failure in my CRM enviroment

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Posted on by Community member 6
Morning Team 
 
I hope someone could help. I'm struggling to install the Project Operations app into my CRM enviroment:
 
when i unpack the error ,  i get the following feedback but it seems to have no viable solution to fix:
 
has anyone managed to find the solution for this error. i'm trying to deploy it to my Sandbox enviroment but it keep crashing. I am a admin on the sandbox, but im not sure why this would be happening
I have the same question (3)
  • KI-21010813-0 Profile Picture
    KI-21010813-0 2 on at
    We are running into the same problem when trying to install the Project Operations on our existing Sandbox environment.
    The upgrade log has a failure entry saying: "There are project tasks that do not belong to any project. Every project task must be linked to a project." followed by a long list of project tasks not linked to a project.
     
    Does anyone know how to delete a project task from the database?
     
    We have tried using a bulk deletion job, but it also fails.
     
    All suggestions are highly appreciated.
     
  • Community member Profile Picture
    Community member 2 on at
     
    We got same installation Error, and after seeing the reply before about error due to Project Tasks without Project, I checked and found some Project Tasks without Project, so I tried to update those Tasks with a dummy project but it was not possible until I thought about the related Plugins
     
    Solution for my case was the following:
    • I deactivated this Plugin step: Microsoft.Dynamics.ProjectService.Plugins.PreValidateProjectTaskUpdate: PreUpdateValidate of msdyn_projecttask
    • Then I was able to assign our tasks to a dummy project
    • Then I restarted the installation and it is working
     
    Hope this helps
  • Suggested answer
    HB-17041002-0 Profile Picture
    HB-17041002-0 2 on at
    The suggestion to deactivate the plugin worked for me.

    Here's a small procedure if someone else struggles to deactivate the plugin.

    https://archicode.be/index.php/2025/04/17/how-to-deactivate-and-reactivate-a-plugin-in-microsoft-dynamics-365-resolving-the-projectoperations_anchor-packageimportfailed-error/
  • Suggested answer
    Daivat Vartak (v-9davar) Profile Picture
    Daivat Vartak (v-9d... 7,835 Super User 2025 Season 2 on at
    Hello Community member,
     

    It sounds like you've already done some excellent digging into the potential causes based on previous experiences! The error message "msdyn_ProjectOperationsSampleData_Anchor - PackageImportFailed - Import Failed status encountered - Error code 7" during Project Operations installation is indeed a known issue, often related to inconsistencies or missing dependencies in your CRM environment.

    The solution you found regarding orphaned msdyn_projecttask records (Project Tasks without a related Project) is a very common culprit for this specific error during Project Operations installation. The plugin Microsoft.Dynamics.ProjectService.Plugins.PreValidateProjectTaskUpdate likely prevents updates to these orphaned tasks, which then blocks the sample data or core components of Project Operations from being installed correctly.

    Based on your findings and the successful solution you identified, here's a consolidated approach and some additional points to consider:

    Recommended Solution (Based on Your Experience):

    1. Identify Orphaned Project Tasks:

      • Use Advanced Find in your Dynamics 365 environment.

      • Look for the Project Task (msdyn_projecttask) entity.

      • Create a filter where Project (msdyn_project) is Does not contain data. This will show you all Project Tasks that are not associated with a Project.

        •  

    2. Deactivate the Blocking Plugin Step:

       

      • Go to Settings > Customizations > Customize the System.

      • Click on SDK Message Processing Steps.

      • Search for the plugin step: Microsoft.Dynamics.ProjectService.Plugins.PreValidateProjectTaskUpdate: PreUpdateValidate of msdyn_projecttask.

      • Select this plugin step and click "Deactivate" in the command bar.

        •  

      Important Note: Deactivating this plugin step temporarily bypasses the validation that prevents updating orphaned Project Tasks. Only do this as a temporary measure to resolve the installation error.


    3. Assign Orphaned Project Tasks to a Dummy Project:

      • Create a temporary "Dummy Project" record in your Dynamics 365 environment (if you don't already have one). This project doesn't need to be fully populated.

      • Go back to your Advanced Find results for the orphaned Project Tasks.

      • Select all the orphaned Project Tasks.

      • Click Edit in the command bar.

      • In the bulk edit form, set the Project (msdyn_project) lookup field to your "Dummy Project".

      • Click Save.

        •  

    4. Restart the Project Operations Installation:

      • Go back to the Dynamics 365 Administration Center.

      • Select your Sandbox environment.

      • Click on Manage Solutions.

      • Find the failed Project Operations solution installation.

      • Click Retry installation.

        •  

    5. Monitor the Installation: Observe the installation process to ensure it proceeds without the "PackageImportFailed" error.

    6. Reactivate the Plugin Step (Crucial!):

      • Once the Project Operations installation is successful, immediately go back to Settings > Customizations > Customize the System > SDK Message Processing Steps.

      • Find and reactivate the plugin step: Microsoft.Dynamics.ProjectService.Plugins.PreValidateProjectTaskUpdate: PreUpdateValidate of msdyn_projecttask.

      • Click Activate in the command bar.

        •  

      Reason for Reactivation: This plugin step is important for maintaining data integrity and ensuring Project Tasks are properly associated with Projects in your live Project Operations environment. Leaving it deactivated could lead to data inconsistencies.



      7.  

    Additional Troubleshooting Tips (If the Above Doesn't Work):

    • Check Solution Installation Order: Ensure you are installing the Project Operations solutions in the correct order, as specified in the Microsoft documentation. There are often base solutions that need to be installed before the main Project Operations app.

    • Review Installation Logs: While the error message in the UI can be generic, the underlying installation logs might provide more detailed information about the specific component or data import that is failing. You can usually find these logs in the Dynamics 365 Administration Center under the details of the failed installation.

    • Check Prerequisites: Verify that your Sandbox environment meets all the prerequisites for installing Project Operations, including the correct versions of Dynamics 365, Common Data Service, and any other required components.

    • Look for Other Data Inconsistencies: While orphaned Project Tasks are common, other data inconsistencies related to Project Service Automation (the predecessor to parts of Project Operations) might also cause issues. Look for other potentially orphaned records related to projects, resources, or contracts.

    • Try Installing Core Components First: If the full package install fails, try installing the core Project Operations components first, and then the sample data separately (if needed).

    • Ensure Sufficient Resources: Although less likely for a sandbox, ensure your environment has sufficient resources (storage, compute) for the installation.

    • Check for Conflicting Customizations: If you have significant existing customizations in your Sandbox environment, there's a small chance they might be interfering with the Project Operations installation. Consider temporarily disabling non-essential customizations for the installation.

      •  

    In your case, the solution you identified with the orphaned Project Tasks and temporarily deactivating the plugin is highly likely to be the correct one. Just remember the crucial step of reactivating the plugin after the successful installation.

    Good luck with your Project Operations installation! Let us know if you encounter any further issues.

     
    If my answer was helpful, please click Like, and if it solved your problem, please mark it as verified to help other community members find more. If you have further questions, please feel free to contact me.
     
    My response was crafted with AI assistance and tailored to provide detailed and actionable guidance for your Microsoft Dynamics 365 query.
     
    Regards,
    Daivat Vartak

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