Allocation Distribution Type
The allocation type can be used on manual, direct cost, settlement, and revenue lines.
The purpose of the allocation type is to allow the user to specify the total amount on a line and then automatically have the amount distributed to the periods given an allocation type and allocation values for each period.
There are two types of allocation, the percentage and share types.
When the percentage type is used, the allocation values for all periods must sum up to 100 and then each period is updated with the associated percentage of the total amount. For example, if the total amount on the line is 300.00 and the allocation value for period 4 is 25, then period 4 will be assigned the amount 75.00.
When the share type is used, there is no requirement of what the allocation values must sum up to. Instead, the total amount is split up into even shares and allocated according to the allocation values. For example, if all allocation values on the line sum up to 120, the total amount is 300.00 and the allocation value on period 6 is 40, then period 6 will be assigned the amount 100.00, as 40x300.00/120=100.00.
The template enables the user to create allocation keys, which can be used across all budgets and sub budgets created from the template. Each allocation key specifies an allocation type and allocation values for each period. On any line that accepts allocation value, an allocation key can be used; however, the user should not specify an allocation type nor allocation values. When an allocation key is updated through the template, changes are pushed out to all lines using this allocation key.