Custom Cost Field

[RobH]

Hello,
I want to add a custom cost field to capture the original cost estimate for
each control account at the control account level . This would be used as a
reference point to compare the original cost estimate to the planned and
actual costs based on the deliverables and assignments within each control
account. I would like this custom cost estimate to roll up to the higher
summary levels in the schedule, but cannot get the custom field to sum to
higher levels or to the project total level. Any suggestions appreciated.
Thanks,
Rob H.

 

[Jim Aksel]

For a custom cost field to roll up right click on the field, select Customize
Fields, in the window that opens make sure you have the correct cost field
selected. There is a calculation area for summary tasks. Select Rollup and
then Sum from the dropdown.

Why not just use Baseline Cost? The baseline shouldn't change. If it does,
you get 10 more chances (Basline, Baseline1, ... Baseline10)
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[John]

Hello,
I want to add a custom cost field to capture the original cost estimate for
each control account at the control account level . This would be used as a
reference point to compare the original cost estimate to the planned and
actual costs based on the deliverables and assignments within each control
account. I would like this custom cost estimate to roll up to the higher
summary levels in the schedule, but cannot get the custom field to sum to
higher levels or to the project total level. Any suggestions appreciated.
Thanks,
Rob H.

Rob H,
Why not simply use the Baseline Cost field? That's why it is there, to
compare with the actual cost at any given point in time.

However, if for some reason the Baseline Cost field isn't what you want,
then all you need to do to get a customized cost field to roll up is to
check the option to rollup or use the formula to calculate task and
group summary rows (Tools/Customize/Fields).

Hope this helps.
John
Project MVP

 

[RobH]

I still can’t get this to work. If I insert the cost figure at any level
higher than the lowest level within the WBS, the column will not accept the
value, probably because it is set to sum the levels below. I could make it
work by just selecting the first task at the lowest level in each CA and
assigning the cost estimate there.

Couple of reasons for wanting to do this. We have an independent government
cost estimate and a vendor proposed cost for each control account. We would
like to capture those two data points. Trouble is, our cost estimates in
many cases are for summary level planning packages that will be done 5-10
years from now, so we have a very high level estimate that has not been
broken down to the deliverables yet. We want to capture that estimate within
the schedule so we can see a roll up of the original government cost estimate
for the program, the vendor's proposal, the baseline, and the actuals.

After negotiating detailed deliverables, schedule, and resource assignments,
we will have the baseline cost. Then we'll track actual costs against the
baseline. There is value for my customer to see the original gov't cost
estimate, the vendor proposal, the baseline, and the actuals to evaluate how
accurately we estimate at the high level and how accurate the vendor's
proposal is.

 

[Jim Aksel]

Sorry, Project does not allow entry of values like that on a summary line if
you are summing them up. I think you have a good solution in hand with the
single line entry.

You can certainly save a Baseline1 for your Govt estimates, Baseline2 for
your Vendor estimates, etc. That would also work fine.

What we do here (I do US Govt contract so same as you no doubt), is make a
one liner and baseline only that one line in the subtasks, not the whole
thing. We apply this for work packages only and then let the CAMs distribute
the budget when they are tapped to open the package (90 days out). We then
just rebaseline those tasks as needed with an explaniation as to why the
baseline date changed in the Project file.

Good luck, post back if you need more help
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Jim
It''s software; it''s not allowed to win.

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