Explains how to define task planned or actual quantities, and unit time. Explains what task quantities and unit time are used for.
What are Task Quantities for ?
Task quantities are used to track the planned and actual output of a task, such as the number of items delivered, classes taught, workshops held, sites visits, programs or web-pages developed or data records converted. The unit of measure comes from the task service, as highlighted in the figure above showing the task details > GENERAL tab.
- The planned quantity represents the planned or estimated quantity of items to be delivered by this task over its duration
- The actual quantity represents the actual quantity of items completed or delivered until today
The actual quantity normally calculates incurred revenue or amount ready to bill on a fixed price basis. Refer to this section for more information on fixed price tasks. The planned quantity similarly represents projected task revenue over the entire task duration. In both cases (planned vs. actual) the unit price is maintained in the project RATES tab.
Maintaining Task Quantities
Task planned or actual quantities can be maintained in two ways:
- Via the task details > DATES / QTY tab as shown in the screen shot above. You can see the planned / actual quantity fields highlighted, OR
- Via the timesheet quantity input.
Note: planned or actual quantities must always be entered using the same unit of measure as the task's service (in GENERAL tab). If in doubt, enter the quantity without a unit of measure and see what defaults.
What is Task Unit Time and how is it Maintained?
The task unit time is the estimated or anticipated time it takes to deliver precisely 1 quantity of this task. For example if the task is for delivery of classes or training sessions the unit time is the duration of 1 class or training session (plus preparation).
Task unit time is used to automatically calculate the time worked on the basis of quantity input. For example if the unit time for a class-task is 45 minutes and the instructor enters a 3 into the timesheet then the total time worked will be 135 minutes or 2 hrs and 15 mins. This is particularly useful if you only wish to allow instructors to record a specific amount of time for each class taught (or to pay workers for a specific time for each quantity delivered).
Refer to the section of task quantity and unit input in timesheet for more information.
The task unit time is maintained in the task DATES / QTY tab as highlighted in the screen shot above.