How to resolve TFS Copy test plan error TF237165?

Question

In Microsoft Test Manager for TFS 2013.4 I am attempting to execute the "Clone Plan" operation and receiving an error:

This is the full error log from Event Viewer.

The description for Event ID 0 from source VSTTExecution cannot be found. Either the component that raises this event is not installed on your local computer or the installation is corrupted. You can install or repair the component on the local computer.

If the event originated on another computer, the display information had to be saved with the event.

The following information was included with the event: 

(mtm.exe, PID 8824, Thread 1) Exception: Microsoft.TeamFoundation.TestManagement.Client.TestManagementServerException
    Message: TF237165: Team Foundation could not update the work item because of a validation error on the server. This may happen because the work item type has been modified or destroyed, or you do not have permission to update the work item.
    Stack Trace:    at Microsoft.TeamFoundation.Client.Channels.TfsHttpClientBase.HandleReply(TfsClientOperation operation, TfsMessage message, Object[]& outputs)
   at Microsoft.TeamFoundation.Client.Channels.TfsHttpClientBase.Invoke(TfsClientOperation operation, Object[] parameters, TimeSpan timeout, Object[]& outputs)
   at Microsoft.TeamFoundation.TestManagement.Client.TestManagementWebService3.BeginCloneOperation(Int32 sourcePlanId, TestPlan destinationPlan, Int32[] sourceSuiteIds, String projectName, CloneOptions options)
   at Microsoft.TeamFoundation.TestManagement.Client.TestPlanHelper.BeginCloneOperation(Int32 sourcePlanId, ITestPlan destPlan, List`1 sourceSuiteIds, String projectName, CloneOptions options)
   at Microsoft.TeamFoundation.TestManagement.Activities.CloneOperationHelper.InvokeBeginCloneOperation(ClonePlanPart part, Int32 sourceTestPlanId, List`1 sourceTestSuiteIds, ITestPlan destinationTestPlan, CloneOptions cloneOptions)
   at Microsoft.TeamFoundation.TestManagement.Activities.CloneOperationHelper.ClonePlanComplete(Object sender, ModalMessageEventArgs modalMessageEventArgs)
   at Microsoft.TeamFoundation.TestManagement.Client.WpfControls.ActivityHostControl.OnAdornerWorkComplete(Object sender, MessageButtonEventArgs eventArgs)
    BaseExceptionMessage: TF237165: Team Foundation could not update the work item because of a validation error on the server. This may happen because the work item type has been modified or destroyed, or you do not have permission to update the work item.
    InnerException: System.Web.Services.Protocols.SoapException
    InnerException Message: TF237165: Team Foundation could not update the work item because of a validation error on the server. This may happen because the work item type has been modified or destroyed, or you do not have permission to update the work item.
    InnerException Stack Trace: 
    InnerExceptionBaseExceptionMessage: TF237165: Team Foundation could not update the work item because of a validation error on the server. This may happen because the work item type has been modified or destroyed, or you do not have permission to update the work item.


the message resource is present but the message is not found in the string/message table

I have full admin privileges to the Project Collection, so I am fairly certain it is not a permissions issue, but rather, the work item type(s) involved have "been modified or destroyed". I am not sure exactly how to track this down or what steps to take next.

Update

I did some additional diagnostics. I created a completely empty Test Plan within my TFS project (no associated Test Suites, Test Cases, work items...). I attempted to Clone Plan and still receive the same error.

Update

In the past, work items had been migrated from MSF for Agile Software Development v5.0 into the MSF for Agile Software Development 2013.4 template. Could these work items somehow be interfering with the cloning process, and what process would I take to clean these old work items if this is the problem?

Answer 1

I think this is a bug, I tried many workarounds but I couldn't find a way to do that, I reported it to Microsoft connect, you can vote with me for better response on the following link:

https://connect.microsoft.com/VisualStudio/feedback/details/1270249/clone-test-plan-throw-microsoft-teamfoundation-testmanagement-client-testmanagementserverexception