Deltek Cobra / Cost Data

You can import cost data from a Deltek Cobra data file, a .csv file, and a Work Authorization Document (WAD).

You can view cost, date, status, and reprogramming data in hours or currency for the selected control account or work package, as well as work authorization details for the selected control account.

In order to import cost data:
  • The cost data file must have a .dcde or .csv extension and the Work Authorization Document must have an .xls or .xlsx extension, and
  • The Deltek Cobra / Cost Data and WAD option on the Platforms (Deltek) page of the Deltek Acumen Options dialog box must be selected.

.CSV File

You can import cost data from other programs into Acumen. The Acumen installation includes a comma separated values (.csv) template file called CSV Template.csv and some sample DECM files that are located in the Acumen > DECM Samples folder. For more information about the file structure that you need to use, see Cost Data CSV File.

Work Authorization Document (WAD)

The Work Authorization Document (WAD) is an open format. Some people use Excel spreadsheets or Word documents; some use simple text, and so on. To import WAD information into Acumen, the data must be in an Excel spreadsheet format (extension .xls or .xlsx). The WAD data in the spreadsheet must include the following:
  • ID — This is the column that you select in the Acumen cost import wizard that matches the project control account ID. You can enter any name for the column.
  • WBS — This is the WBS to which the control account is tied.
  • OBS — This is the OBS to which the control account is tied.
  • Description — This field is optional but is typically the current project description or description of the most recently approved BCR. It should exist in the file even if empty.
  • Scope — This field can be empty or populated and is the body of the WAD where most of the textual data is defined. It should exist in the file even if empty
  • BaselineStart — This is the WAD baseline start date and represents the approved period of performance for the control account.
  • BaselineFinish — This is the WAD baseline finish date and represents the approved period of performance for the control account.
  • Total_Dollars and Total_Hours — These fields represent the approved budget for the control account.

Metrics Tabs

If Cobra is disabled during the Acumen installation or by using the Deltek Acumen Options dialog box, the Calculated Fields, Control Account Metrics, and Work Package Metrics forms on the Metrics tab are disabled.