Typing Total Cost manually

[WSH]

Hi,

In Total Cost column in MS Project 2003, I type the cost of the project/task
manually. I then assign a resource to that task/project and the cost changes
to something higher or lower at times. I then have to retype the cost again.

Is there a way to stop it from changing? I just need to type in the cost of
the projects manually disregarding resource costs/fixed costs etc. Please let
me know how to do it if there is a way.

Thank you for all the help ppl.

 

[John]

Hi,

In Total Cost column in MS Project 2003, I type the cost of the project/task
manually. I then assign a resource to that task/project and the cost changes
to something higher or lower at times. I then have to retype the cost again.

Is there a way to stop it from changing? I just need to type in the cost of
the projects manually disregarding resource costs/fixed costs etc. Please let
me know how to do it if there is a way.

Thank you for all the help ppl.

WSH,
Your method is backwards. Typing a value directly into the Cost field
effectively applies a fixed cost to the task (you will see the value
appear in the Fixed Cost field if it is displayed). Fixed costs are in
addition to cost generated by resources.

The Cost field in Project is dual use. Values can be entered manually
(not recommended) or they will automatically be entered by Project using
the formula
Cost = Resource Hours x Resource pay rate (for labor resources)
or
Cost = Material quantity x material rate (for material resources)

It sounds like you have a budget you are tying to meet for each task.
The proper way to address a project's cost is to assign the resources to
the level needed to complete work on each task. Project will calculate
the cost. If it is over your "budget" you need to either re-think the
estimated effort or adjust the pre-conceived budget idea.

It is rare that each task has a "budget". Rather, a realistic plan is
developed and resources are assigned to work tasks on the plan. The top
level cost then is representative of what the plan will cost to execute.
If this is within the overall project budget (often it is not), great.
If not, re-plan or lobby for more budget.

Hope this helps.
John
Project MVP

 

[WSH]

John ,

Thanks for the reply. So there isn't any way to just manually enter the cost
of each task/project without the cost changing everytime I assign a task to a
resource?

 

[John]

John ,

Thanks for the reply. So there isn't any way to just manually enter the cost
of each task/project without the cost changing everytime I assign a task to a
resource?

WSH,
Right. You are basically trying to use Project backwards and it isn't
set up to operate that way.

I think you are getting cost and budget confused - they aren't the same.
When a plan is developed the user doesn't enter the cost. Cost is a
calculated value based on the resources necessary to do the work, be
they labor or non-labor resources. There may be a limit on how much you
can afford (budget), but that doesn't tell you how much the plan will
cost. Does that make sense?

John
Project MVP