Adding Resource Estimates

You build a baseline estimate by adding resource estimates to the WBS elements in a project. To add a resource estimate, you select a WBS element and click Edit » Insert Estimate.

Estimates can not exceed a 10 year time span.

The combination of the WBS ID, Resource, Resource Department, and Overtime fields uniquely identify each estimate. If you wish, you can use the Overtime field to identify resources for different estimates by entering a one to four-letter code. You can then filter the display by the code. You can use this approach to enter different estimates for the same resource.

When adding the estimate values, it is useful to keep the Totals window open. The Totals window shows the burdened totals for the currently selected element or resource. To display the window, click View » Total Window.

To add a new resource estimate, complete the following steps:

  1. Select an estimate type from the Estimate Type list box in the Toolbar.

  2. Select a WBS element and do one of the following:

  3. Select a resource code from the Resource drop-down list box in the WBS row.

  4. Press the Insert key.

  5. Click Edit » Insert Estimate.

MPM inserts a line below the existing estimates for the WBS element and highlights the text in blue to indicate the line is in edit mode.

  1. Select a resource from the drop-down list. MPM automatically fills in the Resource Description and the Resource Department fields. The Resource Department field is filled in with the performing department based on the department entered when the WBS was created.

  1. If you wish, you can select a different resource department from the drop-down list box. For example, an Engineer Resource may normally be assigned to the performing organization but may be loaned to a different department for a specific work package. To show this assignment, you would select the department borrowing the resource.

  1. (Optional) Select an identifier from the XREF-EST field drop-down or enter a new one.

The XREF-EST field is an optional 20-character user-defined field that can be used as a wild card for reporting, exporting, or onscreen filtering to match a specific group of data. You can define the XREF-EST field on the Baseline and ETC tabs in Integrated Planning or the Actuals screen. You cannot rename the XREF-EST field label.

  1. If appropriate, make an entry in the Overtime field. The Overtime field can be used to calculate overtime for a resource, or as a reference field used to create more than one estimate for a resource. For more information on using this field, see Using the Overtime Field.

  1. Enter the Start and Complete dates for the resource. MPM accepts most common date formats, then converts them to the dd-mmm-yy format.

Note the rate table and burden template assigned to the resource. These fields typically are read-only unless the Rate Table Override option and Burden Template Override option in the Project Maintenance window have been set to On. For more information on these fields, see Baseline Field Descriptions.

  1. To save the estimate, do one of the following:

  2. Click on another row in the window

  3. Click image\winm0075_wmf.gif Save

  4. Click File » Save

  5. Press Ctrl+S

You may be prompted to confirm the save and asked if you want to save the changes to the ETC.

For information on the Save options, see Saving Estimates.

Related Topics

Saving Estimates

Using the Overtime Field

Entering Estimate Values

Entering Information Using Autofill

Entering Estimate Values Using Autospread