Renaming Project Center view Column

[Rob Stewart]

Is it possible to rename an existing project center view column? (We are
using the term "ETC" instead of "Remaining Work"

We've got it set for the enterprise Project templates to display it (in
Project)according to company terminology(just renamed the Remaining Work
column).

The Portfolio Analyzer view Captions were easy enough to change as well..


I imagine I could create a set of ent custom number fields (task and
project) in the enterprise global, and add them to the template..

But is there an easier way to simply rename these Project Center View
fields(columns)?

Thanks,
-RS

 

[Earl Lewis]

Rob,

As far as I know there's no way to modify the field headings in PWA. Not that I'm the definitive source for such things, but that's to the best of my knowledge.

Have you reviewed the MS Project help for the definitions of the fields you're talking about here? Based on my studies of project management and supported by the MSP help files, remaining work and ETC (EAC is the standard acronym) are not equivalent. In fact, they're completely different. Remaining work is a measure of time and EAC is a measure of cost.

If you're sitting there saying: "Duh! That's why we're calling it ETC, not EAC!" I would caution against using a term so similar for something so different. Anyone in your organization that knows the standard project management terminology is surely to be confused. And those that don't know the standard terminology will be led to a false understanding. Then, when they do pursue that PMI certification they'll probably get pretty cranky about this apparent dichotomy.

From the MSP help file:
===begin help file extract=====
EAC (task field)

Data Type Currency (currency field: A type of field whose content is expressed as a cost. Examples include the Actual Cost and Fixed Cost fields. The maximum value allowed in this field is 999,999,999,999.99.)

Entry Type Calculated (calculated field: A field in which the value is determined by Project based on information in other fields. Project may recalculate the value automatically or when you specify, depending on your choice of calculation settings.)

Description The EAC (estimate at completion) field shows the expected total cost of a task based on performance up to the status date. EAC is also called forecast at completion (FAC).

How Calculated In previous versions of Microsoft Project, EAC was equivalent to the scheduled Cost field. However, now EAC is calculated as:

EAC = ACWP + (Baseline cost X - BCWP) / CPI

When a task is created, resources are assigned, and a baseline saved, EAC is the same as scheduled cost, which is the total work value multiplied by the resource cost rate. As actual work or actual cost is reported on the task, Microsoft Office Project 2003 calculates EAC according to this formula.

Best Uses Add the EAC field to a task view to display or filter for the expected total cost for the task, based on performance up to the status date.
======end of help extract==============

I know this doesn't really have any relevance to the question you asked, but I thought it was worth pointing out so you might be able to head off the use of confusing terminology in your project management and project server practices. Good luck.

Earl
Is it possible to rename an existing project center view column? (We are
using the term "ETC" instead of "Remaining Work"

We've got it set for the enterprise Project templates to display it (in
Project)according to company terminology(just renamed the Remaining Work
column).

The Portfolio Analyzer view Captions were easy enough to change as well..


I imagine I could create a set of ent custom number fields (task and
project) in the enterprise global, and add them to the template..

But is there an easier way to simply rename these Project Center View
fields(columns)?

Thanks,
-RS

 

[Rob Stewart]

I hear ya Earl,
Although I have brought these points up (There's no calculating SPI without
'cost');

The client wishes not to have any cost data associated in Project Server.
Here's their terminology.

ETC (Estimate Till Completion)= Remaining work, in hours
EAC (Estimate At Completion)= Work
Budget= Baseline Work
%Productivity-Earn/Burn= (ETC from last week - Current ETC)/ Current Actual
Hours


Again,
I hear you, and I do understand the discrepancy between established PMBOK
methodologies, and what I have been asked to do.

I guess we can chalk this up as an example of Project's easy customization
and outstanding flexibility to meet the needs of a dynamic corporate
environment. ;-)

-RS

 

[Earl Lewis]

Rob,

As long as we do these things with open eyes (or closed in the case of your client) I think that's all we can expect. Good luck!

Earl
I hear ya Earl,
Although I have brought these points up (There's no calculating SPI without
'cost');

The client wishes not to have any cost data associated in Project Server.
Here's their terminology.

ETC (Estimate Till Completion)= Remaining work, in hours
EAC (Estimate At Completion)= Work
Budget= Baseline Work
%Productivity-Earn/Burn= (ETC from last week - Current ETC)/ Current Actual
Hours


Again,
I hear you, and I do understand the discrepancy between established PMBOK
methodologies, and what I have been asked to do.

I guess we can chalk this up as an example of Project's easy customization
and outstanding flexibility to meet the needs of a dynamic corporate
environment. ;-)

-RS

 

[Dale Howard [MVP]]

Rob --

Although you can rename custom fields in Project Server, it is not possible
to rename standard fields such as Remaining Work. It's nice your client
wants to call it ETC, but it ain't gonna happen. Sorry.

 

[Gary L. Chefetz \(MVP\)]

Rob:

You can, however, rename an enterprise field and reference the built-in
field.

--

Gary L. Chefetz, MVP
"We wrote the books on Project Server"
http://www.msprojectexperts.com

For Project Server FAQs visit
http://www.projectserverexperts.com

For Project FAQs visit
http://www.mvps.org/project

-

I hear ya Earl,
Although I have brought these points up (There's no calculating SPI without
'cost');

The client wishes not to have any cost data associated in Project Server.
Here's their terminology.

ETC (Estimate Till Completion)= Remaining work, in hours
EAC (Estimate At Completion)= Work
Budget= Baseline Work
%Productivity-Earn/Burn= (ETC from last week - Current ETC)/ Current Actual
Hours


Again,
I hear you, and I do understand the discrepancy between established PMBOK
methodologies, and what I have been asked to do.

I guess we can chalk this up as an example of Project's easy customization
and outstanding flexibility to meet the needs of a dynamic corporate
environment. ;-)

-RS

that I'm the definitive source for such things, but that's to the best of my
knowledge.you're talking about here? Based on my studies of project management and
supported by the MSP help files, remaining work and ETC (EAC is the standard
acronym) are not equivalent. In fact, they're completely different.
Remaining work is a measure of time and EAC is a measure of cost.not EAC!" I would caution against using a term so similar for something so
different. Anyone in your organization that knows the standard project
management terminology is surely to be confused. And those that don't know
the standard terminology will be led to a false understanding. Then, when
they do pursue that PMI certification they'll probably get pretty cranky
about this apparent dichotomy.expressed as a cost. Examples include the Actual Cost and Fixed Cost fields.
The maximum value allowed in this field is 999,999,999,999.99.)determined by Project based on information in other fields. Project may
recalculate the value automatically or when you specify, depending on your
choice of calculation settings.)total cost of a task based on performance up to the status date. EAC is also
called forecast at completion (FAC).EAC is the same as scheduled cost, which is the total work value multiplied
by the resource cost rate. As actual work or actual cost is reported on the
task, Microsoft Office Project 2003 calculates EAC according to this
formula.the expected total cost for the task, based on performance up to the status
date.but I thought it was worth pointing out so you might be able to head off the
use of confusing terminology in your project management and project server
practices. Good luck.

 

[Rob Stewart]

Yeah, I was just hoping that there would be an easier (more straightforward)
way to accolmplish this..
Thanks Gary,
-RS