(1) Explain your problem, don't simply post "This isn't working". What were you doing when you faced the problem? What have you tried to resolve - did you look for a solution using "Search" ? Has it happened just once or several times?
(2) It's also good to get feedback when a solution is found, return to the original post to explain how it was resolved so that more people can also use the results.
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Since I first posted this question (8 years ago!) I've learned a lot. My experience in Primavera has a lot to do with those things I've found that I should NEVER do again.
Through experimentation, this is how I've set up a cost loaded schedule in P6 (cost-loading so that owner evaluates progress per month, costs = schedule of values).
Develop a resource in P6 that is non-labor.
In the details window make sure that Auto Compute Actuals and Calculate Costs from units is checked. And I've had good results by putting the calendar as 7 days /week (8 hours a day)
In the Units & Prices window there is no max units, but the cost per unit is $1
When assigning this resource make sure that the activity is task dependent, fixed duration and units (so the $ amount doesn't change), and because I'm in construction the % complete type is physical.
I set up a resource assignment window that shows budgeted units, budgeted cost, actual cost, Cost % complete, actual cost this period, remaining cost and cost at completion.
I FOCUS ON CHANGING UNITS, NOT$. But always validate that the BC and the Cost at completion are the same, sometimes they can get off when updating.
When an activity is started and finished, P6 computes 100% automatically. When not 100%, first change remaining duration because the software will still ascribe % complete to RD/OD. Then, because I've set up resource window to monitor units, not costs, and have a column that I change which is Units % complete (you may need to overwrite what the RD/OD % is. If you must change %, make sure that you reset actual units to 0 before changing % again. If you don't, somehow the software starts calculating % complete of the remaining units.
This system works. I've used it for those owners who will only use P6 results as the basis for monthly pay applications.
Rob
if you want to know the differences post a new topic I do not want to hijack this thread. I will respond in what I beleive the major differences are.
@Zoltan
Didn't realize this was only for Primavera, but makes sense as this is the site I'm always linked to when I'm trying to deal with the many problems of Primavera (even when following the spec to a T) and it's huge learning curve making me the only person in my company that knows how to use it. I did only mention Project as I was certified in it, nothing else. Could you give a few ways it's superior besides it's integration with other Databases (cuz it doesn't interact with other software very well).
I've been trying to figure this problem I have out for months now. And no matter what site I go to, what google search I put in, it appears that my problem must be specific to the currency I'm using. I didn't mean to piggyback this thread, but it seemed like the only one close to my problem.
Zoltan, I did not find any mentioning of MS Project in Rob's post.
I understood that your answer to Rob's question is this: "Primavera is specifically written in many of the scheduling specifications that it is the scheduling software that is required"?
Marsha
if you are tracking both manhours (budgeted labor units) costs (budgeted labor costs) then the actual units will update automatically but the actual costs you will have to do this manually.
If you are not tracking manhours then use the budgeted labor units to track your costs and make sure that in the resource directory for the resource that you are using that Auto Compute Actuals is checked.
Make sure that you use duration % complete
Also in the projects directory under the calculations tab make sure that Recalculate actual units and costs whine duration % complete changes
Rob,
Primavera is an industry standard software and is far superior than MS Project and is specifically written in many of the scheduling specifications that it is the scheduling software that is required. Why would you post on a Primavera forum that MS Project is better ?
@Rob,
I am afraid that as most planners you just do not have the right to select the tool to be used.
This is the main reason why people use Primavera.
@Marsha,
I'm certified in both Project and Primavera and I don't understand why anyone would use Primavera. It's less user friendly, takes more time for simple tasks, isn't very responsive. Yet it's a requirement for USACE projects because, like Apple, it integrates well with other databases. Personally, it's the biggest pile of crap I've ever worked with and has so many bugs. For example, I update my cost-loaded project, using LumpSUM for USACE, and every time it adds decimals/non-integers to my costs. All of my costs end with zeros, so there is no possible way it should be doing this. I'm assuming it's because I'm using Japanese Yen as the currency, but that would just be bad planning by Oracle if that's what's causing it. Now I have to manually fix every Cost to reflect as an integer. Often over 100s of tasks and it's quite annoying. I couldn't imagine if I was doing a project with 1000s of tasks and every time I updated I had to fix.
Email: PPadmin@planningplanet.com
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