Forum Discussion
christophe_schram
Apr 27, 2024Copper Contributor
Is it possible to customize the Task cost calculation?
I have a question on how to customize the calculation of Task costs. A bit of context: in my research organization, most of our research projects are funded by institutions (European Commission, ...
- Apr 27, 2024
Christophe,
First, I suggest you read this Wiki article on data types in Project:
https://web.archive.org/web/20200720083203/https://social.technet.microsoft.com/wiki/contents/articles/31991.ms-project-data-types-task-resource-assignment.aspx
Then you might also want to read the article referenced in the above concerning extra fields:
https://web.archive.org/web/20200722225529/https://social.technet.microsoft.com/wiki/contents/articles/32051.ms-project-extra-fields-in-views.aspx
Those articles will explain why your formulas don't seem to do what you want. However, based on your description, I don't see a need for custom cost fields at all. Instead of creating separate custom fields for funding types and resource types, why not combine the two. For example, you could have an EC work resource, an EC material resource, an EC cost resource, a Regional work resource, Regional material resource, a Regional cost resource, and so forth for each funding entity. Set up each resource type with the appropriate rate based on how they fund. You can even set up a time based cost escalation and/or up to 5 separate cost rates for each resource via resource cost rate tables A through E. This is accessible through the Cost tab on the Resource Information window. Varying cost rate tables for each resource are applied via the Cost Rate Table field at assignment level on either the Task Usage view or the Resource Usage view.
Hope this helps.
John
Apr 27, 2024
christophe_schram --
It is not possible to use a formula to calculate cost rates for resources in the Std. Rate, Overtime Rate, and Cost/Use fields. These values must be manually entered. Hope this helps.
It is not possible to use a formula to calculate cost rates for resources in the Std. Rate, Overtime Rate, and Cost/Use fields. These values must be manually entered. Hope this helps.
christophe_schram
Apr 28, 2024Copper Contributor
Thanks Dale_HowardMVP, I was more referring to the way the costs of the resources assigned to a Task would be aggregated to build up the Task cost. I realize my message was probably confusing. Nevertheless, it's good to know that these cannot be calculated using formulas, thanks!