T
TVDave
Ok, I have read a series of posts on separate threads related to these
issues. I am sitll not sure how to solve my problem. I manage a group of
technical gurus who are contracted to go places for testing and fixing
electronic systems. We also provide manpower for local lab facilites that
work on new systems designs. All material costs are the responsibilty of the
customer. I have always tracked my "budget" for our projects by using Excel
to track the expenses that are billed to the customer (labor, travel, per
diem, rental car.) I track them based on weekly reports and move the data to
graphs that identify if I am on, under or over the estimated budget in a
quick glance.
Now I have been forced to subcontract a few projects through a prime who
insists that we track our projects for time schedules and budget using MS
Project. I have no problem tracking time and manpower (i.e. resources.)
But the expenses associated with per diem and car rental are kicking me.
These are things that consume resources ($), not resources in and of
themselves.
For clarity assume one parent task (TESTING SYSTEM at SITE A), with several
subtasks including travel days, and subtests with milestones and dependancies
(can't do test 4 until test 1,2,3 are done) and some days off.
I tried using a total fixed cost per parent task and my problem is that for
a two month trip, showing 50% of the task budget spent on day one causes
concern. And my MS Project tracking does not match my weekly bill to the
prime. Associating these fixed daily costs to subtasks did not work because
they each have variable time (2 days, 7 days, 3 days) but the PD "resource"
was fixed per use. I do use this methed for plane tickets as they become
billable upon departure of the resource.
I tried making per diem "work" with a fixed cost per day and as a seperate
subtask, but that was still tied to the daily hours that were associated with
the parent task.
When I tried making it a "material" cost, is still showed up as all on day
1. It did not distribute the expense across each day. Even when I said I
needed 60 "units" of it for the parent task of 60 days.
So, how should I make per diem and rental costs show up as a fixed amount
each and every day, even when the hours worked will vary from day to day?
As I said, I prefer to track my budget using Excel, but my prime wants it in
Project.
TV Dave
issues. I am sitll not sure how to solve my problem. I manage a group of
technical gurus who are contracted to go places for testing and fixing
electronic systems. We also provide manpower for local lab facilites that
work on new systems designs. All material costs are the responsibilty of the
customer. I have always tracked my "budget" for our projects by using Excel
to track the expenses that are billed to the customer (labor, travel, per
diem, rental car.) I track them based on weekly reports and move the data to
graphs that identify if I am on, under or over the estimated budget in a
quick glance.
Now I have been forced to subcontract a few projects through a prime who
insists that we track our projects for time schedules and budget using MS
Project. I have no problem tracking time and manpower (i.e. resources.)
But the expenses associated with per diem and car rental are kicking me.
These are things that consume resources ($), not resources in and of
themselves.
For clarity assume one parent task (TESTING SYSTEM at SITE A), with several
subtasks including travel days, and subtests with milestones and dependancies
(can't do test 4 until test 1,2,3 are done) and some days off.
I tried using a total fixed cost per parent task and my problem is that for
a two month trip, showing 50% of the task budget spent on day one causes
concern. And my MS Project tracking does not match my weekly bill to the
prime. Associating these fixed daily costs to subtasks did not work because
they each have variable time (2 days, 7 days, 3 days) but the PD "resource"
was fixed per use. I do use this methed for plane tickets as they become
billable upon departure of the resource.
I tried making per diem "work" with a fixed cost per day and as a seperate
subtask, but that was still tied to the daily hours that were associated with
the parent task.
When I tried making it a "material" cost, is still showed up as all on day
1. It did not distribute the expense across each day. Even when I said I
needed 60 "units" of it for the parent task of 60 days.
So, how should I make per diem and rental costs show up as a fixed amount
each and every day, even when the hours worked will vary from day to day?
As I said, I prefer to track my budget using Excel, but my prime wants it in
Project.
TV Dave