Multiple Resource Rates

[RandyK]

How can I, within the same project schedule, use more than one rate for an
individual resource? We have resources that perform various duties - each
billed at different rates. For Example:

John Doe is a Project Manager that also performs DBA duties. When John
works on DBA tasks, he bills out at $113. When he does Project Manager
tasks, he bills out at $130.

Can MSPS accomodate this requirement? Can I use the multiple tabs within
the "costs" tab in the resource file for this?

 

[Dale Howard [MVP]]

RandyK --

Your Project Server administrator would need to set up the alternate Cost
rates for each resource in the Enterprise Resource Pool on Cost Rate Tables
B-E. Once he/she has done this, you can set the appropriate cost rate for
each assignment doing the following:

1. In the Gantt Chart view, assign one or more resources to each task in
the project (the system will apply the rate from Cost Rate Table A for each
resource assignment, by the way)
2. Apply the Task Usage view
3. Temporarily insert the Cost Rate Table column to the right of the Task
Name column
4. Change the Cost Rate Table value to the appropriate cost rate for each
resource on each task, as needed

Hope this helps.

 

[RandyK]

Dale -

This looks good. Two follow up questions....

(1) can we have more than five (5) rates

(2) Can we change the rate tbale name from A, B, C, D, E to something
different (i.e. Web Designer, DBA, Project Manager, etc...)?

Thanks!
Randy

RandyK --

Your Project Server administrator would need to set up the alternate Cost
rates for each resource in the Enterprise Resource Pool on Cost Rate Tables
B-E. Once he/she has done this, you can set the appropriate cost rate for
each assignment doing the following:

1. In the Gantt Chart view, assign one or more resources to each task in
the project (the system will apply the rate from Cost Rate Table A for each
resource assignment, by the way)
2. Apply the Task Usage view
3. Temporarily insert the Cost Rate Table column to the right of the Task
Name column
4. Change the Cost Rate Table value to the appropriate cost rate for each
resource on each task, as needed

Hope this helps.

 

[Dale Howard [MVP]]

RandyK --

1. No. You are limited to no more than 5 rates.

2. No. You cannot rename the Cost Rate Table tabs.

Hope this helps.

Dale -

This looks good. Two follow up questions....

(1) can we have more than five (5) rates

(2) Can we change the rate tbale name from A, B, C, D, E to something
different (i.e. Web Designer, DBA, Project Manager, etc...)?

Thanks!
Randy

 

[RandyK]

Hi Dale,

Well, if I need to give PM's the option of selecting one of nine labor
rates, can I create an enterprise resource code or a custom field that they
can use when assigning a task to a resource? We are using an external
process for pulling this data into a chargeback system - so OLAP cube
consideration is a moot issue for this task.

The tricky part comes when multiple resources are assigned to an individual
task. Each person may be doing different work on that same task - thus they
will be billing at a different rate. This is why I was considering some
custom resource field. Thoughts?

 

[Dale Howard [MVP]]

RandyK --

Good questions, my friend. Because Microsoft Project MUST use one of the
five rates for each resource assignment, I do not know of any default way to
allow more than those five rates, even using a custom field or outline code.
To do that would require some type of software customization to accomplish
your purpose.

Refer to my original reply for the process you must follow to specify the
Cost Rate Table used for each resource assignment. Hope this helps.