Hi Jake, maybe the graphic do better explain the workflow and adds some light in to your question: https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/bim-360-design-collaboration/linking-cloud-workshared-models-in-bim-3...
In the low-trust workflow, customers want to control what data is shared with other teams. The shared folders allow us to separate the WIP data from the data teams want to share with other teams. To so, we do grant different permission levels for individuals/roles on WIP folder (Team folder) and Shared folder. With that right permission setup created with the Administrator, teams are not able to see the WIP of other teams. Consuming a package will copy the latest shared information from the selected team to the WIP Consumed folder which we also monitor. This allows Administrators monitor when data has been shared and consumed by the different teams.
In case you are logged in as administrator, you will always have access to all the folders. But Team members are usually only limited to the WIP folder where they have read and write access and to the shared folder where they only have read access.
To answer your question: Shared folder has only one use, provide access to teams to see and consume shared packages from other teams. This is also the only way to see or retrieve the models from other teams. The sharing team has control over when and what data is shared.
I hope this helps to better understand the low-trust environment of Design Collaboration.
-Martyn
Martyn Messerli
Software Engineer
