Problem with Custom Resource Fields - 2002

[Pat]

I need to be able to do the following: Use Enterprise Common Resource
Pool which is loaded with the burden rate for each resource. For any
given project I need to be able to assign different bill rates for the
resources, without actually updating the common resource pool. I
thought that using custom fields at an individual project level would
enable this, but I thought wrong. I am desparate for suggestions on
how I can accomplish this. If it cannot be solved I am faced with not
using the enterprise resource pool and that would not be a good thing.

Here are the current details:
We are using Enterprise Resource Pool and have several custom Resource
fields defined in Enterprise Global. One of the fields is Enterprise
Cost10 which contains the burdened cost of the resource. We also have
defined an enterprise template which is using two local custom
resource fields: Cost8 and Number 12.
Cost8 is a data entry field for Bill Rate. Number12 is a formula:
IIF([cost8]=0,0,(([cost8] - [enterprise cost10])/[cost8])

The custom enterprise template is used to start all new projects. The
project team is built from the common resource pool. For each person
on the team, the Cost8 field is formatted with a bill rate. (Remember
Cost8 is NOT Enterprise Cost8 -- was expected to be local to the
specific project schedule). Once the cost8 field is formatted with a
bill rate, the Number12 field for the resource is correctly
automatically calculated. (The values in the Cost8 fields are copied
to the Standard Rate fields to calculate cost of the project).

The project is published to Server. When the project is checked out
of Server we see the following:
The Cost8 field for each resource has 0 for a value, even though the
Cost8 field is NOT an Enterprise field.

The Number12 field for each resource also has 0 for a value.
If a value is reentered into the Cost8 field, Number12 field still
remains 0: The formula still exists for the Number12 field, but will
not execute.

If I use a local resource, all of the data exists when I check out the
project, except that the formula for Number12 field only seems to
calculate when the project is checked out.

I hope this makes sense to anyone who reads this. There are really
two issues here:
1. Local custom resource field values do not appear to be saved with
the project.
2. Local custom resource field formulas appear to execute only when
the project is checked out from the database. While the project is
checked out, the formulas will not execute.

Pat

 

[Gary L. Chefetz [MVP]]

Pat:

Local values can't be saved for Enterprise resources. These will be lost on
every save. Local values can be saved at the task level, because tasks are
local to the plan, whereas Enterprise Resources are not.

With that said, how many rates are you trying to manage? Are you aware that
you can save 5 rates in the resource pool?

Calculation behavior can be controlled under Tools > Options Calculation
Tab. There's a button on this tab that you can use to force the plan to be
recalculated or you can press the F9 key.

I need to be able to do the following: Use Enterprise Common Resource
Pool which is loaded with the burden rate for each resource. For any
given project I need to be able to assign different bill rates for the
resources, without actually updating the common resource pool. I
thought that using custom fields at an individual project level would
enable this, but I thought wrong. I am desparate for suggestions on
how I can accomplish this. If it cannot be solved I am faced with not
using the enterprise resource pool and that would not be a good thing.

Here are the current details:
We are using Enterprise Resource Pool and have several custom Resource
fields defined in Enterprise Global. One of the fields is Enterprise
Cost10 which contains the burdened cost of the resource. We also have
defined an enterprise template which is using two local custom
resource fields: Cost8 and Number 12.
Cost8 is a data entry field for Bill Rate. Number12 is a formula:
IIF([cost8]=0,0,(([cost8] - [enterprise cost10])/[cost8])

The custom enterprise template is used to start all new projects. The
project team is built from the common resource pool. For each person
on the team, the Cost8 field is formatted with a bill rate. (Remember
Cost8 is NOT Enterprise Cost8 -- was expected to be local to the
specific project schedule). Once the cost8 field is formatted with a
bill rate, the Number12 field for the resource is correctly
automatically calculated. (The values in the Cost8 fields are copied
to the Standard Rate fields to calculate cost of the project).

The project is published to Server. When the project is checked out
of Server we see the following:
The Cost8 field for each resource has 0 for a value, even though the
Cost8 field is NOT an Enterprise field.

The Number12 field for each resource also has 0 for a value.
If a value is reentered into the Cost8 field, Number12 field still
remains 0: The formula still exists for the Number12 field, but will
not execute.

If I use a local resource, all of the data exists when I check out the
project, except that the formula for Number12 field only seems to
calculate when the project is checked out.

I hope this makes sense to anyone who reads this. There are really
two issues here:
1. Local custom resource field values do not appear to be saved with
the project.
2. Local custom resource field formulas appear to execute only when
the project is checked out from the database. While the project is
checked out, the formulas will not execute.

Pat

 

[Pat]

Gary, Thanks for the quick response. Yes, I am aware of the ability
to provide 5 different cost rates for a resource, but for our business
our rates can be very dynamic. Using the different cost tables is not
a good solution for us, so I have to rethink the whole common resource
pool concept. Regarding the recalculation not working: When my
calculation option is set to Automatic the formula is not
recalculating. When I set the option to Manual and force the
calculation it works. Any thoughts on why the Automatic option is not
working? I have never encountered this before and I use a lot of
custom calculated fields. Thanks in advance.
Pat

Pat:

Local values can't be saved for Enterprise resources. These will be lost on
every save. Local values can be saved at the task level, because tasks are
local to the plan, whereas Enterprise Resources are not.

With that said, how many rates are you trying to manage? Are you aware that
you can save 5 rates in the resource pool?

Calculation behavior can be controlled under Tools > Options Calculation
Tab. There's a button on this tab that you can use to force the plan to be
recalculated or you can press the F9 key.

I need to be able to do the following: Use Enterprise Common Resource
Pool which is loaded with the burden rate for each resource. For any
given project I need to be able to assign different bill rates for the
resources, without actually updating the common resource pool. I
thought that using custom fields at an individual project level would
enable this, but I thought wrong. I am desparate for suggestions on
how I can accomplish this. If it cannot be solved I am faced with not
using the enterprise resource pool and that would not be a good thing.

Here are the current details:
We are using Enterprise Resource Pool and have several custom Resource
fields defined in Enterprise Global. One of the fields is Enterprise
Cost10 which contains the burdened cost of the resource. We also have
defined an enterprise template which is using two local custom
resource fields: Cost8 and Number 12.
Cost8 is a data entry field for Bill Rate. Number12 is a formula:
IIF([cost8]=0,0,(([cost8] - [enterprise cost10])/[cost8])

The custom enterprise template is used to start all new projects. The
project team is built from the common resource pool. For each person
on the team, the Cost8 field is formatted with a bill rate. (Remember
Cost8 is NOT Enterprise Cost8 -- was expected to be local to the
specific project schedule). Once the cost8 field is formatted with a
bill rate, the Number12 field for the resource is correctly
automatically calculated. (The values in the Cost8 fields are copied
to the Standard Rate fields to calculate cost of the project).

The project is published to Server. When the project is checked out
of Server we see the following:
The Cost8 field for each resource has 0 for a value, even though the
Cost8 field is NOT an Enterprise field.

The Number12 field for each resource also has 0 for a value.
If a value is reentered into the Cost8 field, Number12 field still
remains 0: The formula still exists for the Number12 field, but will
not execute.

If I use a local resource, all of the data exists when I check out the
project, except that the formula for Number12 field only seems to
calculate when the project is checked out.

I hope this makes sense to anyone who reads this. There are really
two issues here:
1. Local custom resource field values do not appear to be saved with
the project.
2. Local custom resource field formulas appear to execute only when
the project is checked out from the database. While the project is
checked out, the formulas will not execute.

Pat

 

[Gary L. Chefetz [MVP]]

Pat:

I'll have to mull the calculation question. On the other hand, I think you
can solve your problem, but I'd need to understand the requirements before
suggesting solutions.

Gary, Thanks for the quick response. Yes, I am aware of the ability
to provide 5 different cost rates for a resource, but for our business
our rates can be very dynamic. Using the different cost tables is not
a good solution for us, so I have to rethink the whole common resource
pool concept. Regarding the recalculation not working: When my
calculation option is set to Automatic the formula is not
recalculating. When I set the option to Manual and force the
calculation it works. Any thoughts on why the Automatic option is not
working? I have never encountered this before and I use a lot of
custom calculated fields. Thanks in advance.
Pat

"Gary L. Chefetz [MVP]" <garyNOSPAM@chefetzDOTorg> wrote in message

Pat:

Local values can't be saved for Enterprise resources. These will be lost on
every save. Local values can be saved at the task level, because tasks are
local to the plan, whereas Enterprise Resources are not.

With that said, how many rates are you trying to manage? Are you aware that
you can save 5 rates in the resource pool?

Calculation behavior can be controlled under Tools > Options Calculation
Tab. There's a button on this tab that you can use to force the plan to be
recalculated or you can press the F9 key.

I need to be able to do the following: Use Enterprise Common Resource
Pool which is loaded with the burden rate for each resource. For any
given project I need to be able to assign different bill rates for the
resources, without actually updating the common resource pool. I
thought that using custom fields at an individual project level would
enable this, but I thought wrong. I am desparate for suggestions on
how I can accomplish this. If it cannot be solved I am faced with not
using the enterprise resource pool and that would not be a good thing.

Here are the current details:
We are using Enterprise Resource Pool and have several custom Resource
fields defined in Enterprise Global. One of the fields is Enterprise
Cost10 which contains the burdened cost of the resource. We also have
defined an enterprise template which is using two local custom
resource fields: Cost8 and Number 12.
Cost8 is a data entry field for Bill Rate. Number12 is a formula:
IIF([cost8]=0,0,(([cost8] - [enterprise cost10])/[cost8])

The custom enterprise template is used to start all new projects. The
project team is built from the common resource pool. For each person
on the team, the Cost8 field is formatted with a bill rate. (Remember
Cost8 is NOT Enterprise Cost8 -- was expected to be local to the
specific project schedule). Once the cost8 field is formatted with a
bill rate, the Number12 field for the resource is correctly
automatically calculated. (The values in the Cost8 fields are copied
to the Standard Rate fields to calculate cost of the project).

The project is published to Server. When the project is checked out
of Server we see the following:
The Cost8 field for each resource has 0 for a value, even though the
Cost8 field is NOT an Enterprise field.

The Number12 field for each resource also has 0 for a value.
If a value is reentered into the Cost8 field, Number12 field still
remains 0: The formula still exists for the Number12 field, but will
not execute.

If I use a local resource, all of the data exists when I check out the
project, except that the formula for Number12 field only seems to
calculate when the project is checked out.

I hope this makes sense to anyone who reads this. There are really
two issues here:
1. Local custom resource field values do not appear to be saved with
the project.
2. Local custom resource field formulas appear to execute only when
the project is checked out from the database. While the project is
checked out, the formulas will not execute.

Pat

 

[Pat]

Gary,
I appreciate any ideas you or anyone else has. I will try to clearly
state my requirements:
1. I need to associate a burdened pay rate with each resource.
2. For any given project, I need to be able to assign a desired bill
rate for each resource on the project and have the GM% automatically
calculated from burdened rate and bill rate. The bill rate for any
given resource can change from project to project.
3. I then want to automatically format the Standard Rate field for the
resources with the desired bill rate so that the project price is
calculated.

I had this all working with MSP 2000 using custom fields and macros.
I would love any ideas on how I can accomplish the above and still use
the enterprise resource pool.
Pat

Pat:

I'll have to mull the calculation question. On the other hand, I think you
can solve your problem, but I'd need to understand the requirements before
suggesting solutions.

Gary, Thanks for the quick response. Yes, I am aware of the ability
to provide 5 different cost rates for a resource, but for our business
our rates can be very dynamic. Using the different cost tables is not
a good solution for us, so I have to rethink the whole common resource
pool concept. Regarding the recalculation not working: When my
calculation option is set to Automatic the formula is not
recalculating. When I set the option to Manual and force the
calculation it works. Any thoughts on why the Automatic option is not
working? I have never encountered this before and I use a lot of
custom calculated fields. Thanks in advance.
Pat

"Gary L. Chefetz [MVP]" <garyNOSPAM@chefetzDOTorg> wrote in message

Pat:

Local values can't be saved for Enterprise resources. These will be lost on
every save. Local values can be saved at the task level, because tasks are
local to the plan, whereas Enterprise Resources are not.

With that said, how many rates are you trying to manage? Are you aware that
you can save 5 rates in the resource pool?

Calculation behavior can be controlled under Tools > Options Calculation
Tab. There's a button on this tab that you can use to force the plan to be
recalculated or you can press the F9 key.




I need to be able to do the following: Use Enterprise Common Resource
Pool which is loaded with the burden rate for each resource. For any
given project I need to be able to assign different bill rates for the
resources, without actually updating the common resource pool. I
thought that using custom fields at an individual project level would
enable this, but I thought wrong. I am desparate for suggestions on
how I can accomplish this. If it cannot be solved I am faced with not
using the enterprise resource pool and that would not be a good thing.

Here are the current details:
We are using Enterprise Resource Pool and have several custom Resource
fields defined in Enterprise Global. One of the fields is Enterprise
Cost10 which contains the burdened cost of the resource. We also have
defined an enterprise template which is using two local custom
resource fields: Cost8 and Number 12.
Cost8 is a data entry field for Bill Rate. Number12 is a formula:
IIF([cost8]=0,0,(([cost8] - [enterprise cost10])/[cost8])

The custom enterprise template is used to start all new projects. The
project team is built from the common resource pool. For each person
on the team, the Cost8 field is formatted with a bill rate. (Remember
Cost8 is NOT Enterprise Cost8 -- was expected to be local to the
specific project schedule). Once the cost8 field is formatted with a
bill rate, the Number12 field for the resource is correctly
automatically calculated. (The values in the Cost8 fields are copied
to the Standard Rate fields to calculate cost of the project).

The project is published to Server. When the project is checked out
of Server we see the following:
The Cost8 field for each resource has 0 for a value, even though the
Cost8 field is NOT an Enterprise field.

The Number12 field for each resource also has 0 for a value.
If a value is reentered into the Cost8 field, Number12 field still
remains 0: The formula still exists for the Number12 field, but will
not execute.

If I use a local resource, all of the data exists when I check out the
project, except that the formula for Number12 field only seems to
calculate when the project is checked out.

I hope this makes sense to anyone who reads this. There are really
two issues here:
1. Local custom resource field values do not appear to be saved with
the project.
2. Local custom resource field formulas appear to execute only when
the project is checked out from the database. While the project is
checked out, the formulas will not execute.

Pat

 

[Gary L. Chefetz [MVP]]

Pat:

Well, the question remains requirements. Dimensions are critical to judging
the suitability of any solution.

Average Projects per Resource at one time
Time to Live Window for Project Data
Maximum number of projects per resource for Time to Live Window
Etc.

You don't need to rethink the use of the Resource Pool, but you do need to
rethink your use of custom fields and adjust your macros or create new ones
accordingly. Depending on how you answer the questions above, you'll need to
decide what combination of Enterprise Resource Fields, and Enterprise Task
and Local Task fields you'll use and the functions required in your new or
modified macros.

Gary,
I appreciate any ideas you or anyone else has. I will try to clearly
state my requirements:
1. I need to associate a burdened pay rate with each resource.
2. For any given project, I need to be able to assign a desired bill
rate for each resource on the project and have the GM% automatically
calculated from burdened rate and bill rate. The bill rate for any
given resource can change from project to project.
3. I then want to automatically format the Standard Rate field for the
resources with the desired bill rate so that the project price is
calculated.

I had this all working with MSP 2000 using custom fields and macros.
I would love any ideas on how I can accomplish the above and still use
the enterprise resource pool.
Pat

"Gary L. Chefetz [MVP]" <garyNOSPAM@chefetzDOTorg> wrote in message

Pat:

I'll have to mull the calculation question. On the other hand, I think you
can solve your problem, but I'd need to understand the requirements before
suggesting solutions.

Gary, Thanks for the quick response. Yes, I am aware of the ability
to provide 5 different cost rates for a resource, but for our business
our rates can be very dynamic. Using the different cost tables is not
a good solution for us, so I have to rethink the whole common resource
pool concept. Regarding the recalculation not working: When my
calculation option is set to Automatic the formula is not
recalculating. When I set the option to Manual and force the
calculation it works. Any thoughts on why the Automatic option is not
working? I have never encountered this before and I use a lot of
custom calculated fields. Thanks in advance.
Pat

"Gary L. Chefetz [MVP]" <garyNOSPAM@chefetzDOTorg> wrote in message

Pat:

Local values can't be saved for Enterprise resources. These will be

lost
on

every save. Local values can be saved at the task level, because

tasks
are

local to the plan, whereas Enterprise Resources are not.

With that said, how many rates are you trying to manage? Are you

aware
that

you can save 5 rates in the resource pool?

Calculation behavior can be controlled under Tools > Options Calculation
Tab. There's a button on this tab that you can use to force the plan

to
be

recalculated or you can press the F9 key.




I need to be able to do the following: Use Enterprise Common Resource
Pool which is loaded with the burden rate for each resource. For any
given project I need to be able to assign different bill rates for the
resources, without actually updating the common resource pool. I
thought that using custom fields at an individual project level would
enable this, but I thought wrong. I am desparate for suggestions on
how I can accomplish this. If it cannot be solved I am faced with not
using the enterprise resource pool and that would not be a good thing.

Here are the current details:
We are using Enterprise Resource Pool and have several custom Resource
fields defined in Enterprise Global. One of the fields is Enterprise
Cost10 which contains the burdened cost of the resource. We also have
defined an enterprise template which is using two local custom
resource fields: Cost8 and Number 12.
Cost8 is a data entry field for Bill Rate. Number12 is a formula:
IIF([cost8]=0,0,(([cost8] - [enterprise cost10])/[cost8])

The custom enterprise template is used to start all new projects. The
project team is built from the common resource pool. For each person
on the team, the Cost8 field is formatted with a bill rate. (Remember
Cost8 is NOT Enterprise Cost8 -- was expected to be local to the
specific project schedule). Once the cost8 field is formatted with a
bill rate, the Number12 field for the resource is correctly
automatically calculated. (The values in the Cost8 fields are copied
to the Standard Rate fields to calculate cost of the project).

The project is published to Server. When the project is checked out
of Server we see the following:
The Cost8 field for each resource has 0 for a value, even though the
Cost8 field is NOT an Enterprise field.

The Number12 field for each resource also has 0 for a value.
If a value is reentered into the Cost8 field, Number12 field still
remains 0: The formula still exists for the Number12 field, but will
not execute.

If I use a local resource, all of the data exists when I check out the
project, except that the formula for Number12 field only seems to
calculate when the project is checked out.

I hope this makes sense to anyone who reads this. There are really
two issues here:
1. Local custom resource field values do not appear to be saved with
the project.
2. Local custom resource field formulas appear to execute only when
the project is checked out from the database. While the project is
checked out, the formulas will not execute.

Pat