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Contents
Introduction to the PRISM G2 Management Suite ...................... 2 Other Enterprise Functions ................................................ 39
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User Guide
Chapter 5 Understanding the Interface ............................ 137 Customizing the Workspace ................................................... 163
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Contents
Audit Log ...........................................................................250 Approval Authority (Advanced Change Management) .... 282
Tools (Administration) .............................................................252 Change Events Template .................................................. 284
Administration Settings ....................................................253 Funding Sources ............................................................... 285
Enterprise Currencies .......................................................269 Purchase Orders and Contracts (Enterprise) .......................... 293
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Contents
Chapter 10 Cost Management ......................................... 317 Calculate Control Account Totals ..................................... 394
Cost Management Data Integration ........................................317 Spread Time Phased Data ................................................ 400
Staffing Plans (Cost Management) ..........................................353 Tools (Cost Management) ....................................................... 414
Spread Engineering Time Phased Data .............................451 Tools (Contracts) ..................................................................... 522
Close Engineering Period ..................................................453 Contracts Settings ............................................................ 522
Tools (Engineering) ..................................................................454 Chapter 15 Prime Contracts ............................................ 525
Engineering Settings .........................................................454 Prime Contracts Data Integration ........................................... 525
Chapter 12 Equipment/Materials .................................... 461 Data (Prime Contracts)............................................................ 525
Equipment/Materials Data Integration ...................................461 Prime Contracts ................................................................ 526
Data (Equipment/Materials)....................................................461 Calculations (Prime Contracts) ................................................ 541
Installed Equipment ..........................................................461 Update PO/Contract Data ................................................ 542
Materials ...........................................................................468 Tools (Prime Contracts)........................................................... 542
Purchase Requisitions .......................................................470 Prime Contracts Settings .................................................. 543
Tools (Equipment/Materials)...................................................474 Chapter 16 Invoice Management .................................... 545
Equipment/Materials Settings ..........................................475 Invoice Management Data Integration ................................... 545
Chapter 13 Procurement ................................................. 477 Data (Invoice Management) ................................................... 545
Procurement Data Integration ................................................477 Invoices ............................................................................ 546
Data (Procurement) .................................................................477 Payment Requests............................................................ 553
Purchase Orders................................................................477 Tools (Invoice Management) .................................................. 554
Shipments .........................................................................496 Invoice Management Settings.......................................... 555
Tools (Procurement) ................................................................500 Chapter 17 Field Management ........................................ 557
Procurement Settings .......................................................500 Field Management Data Integration ....................................... 557
Chapter 14 Contracts....................................................... 503 Data (Field Management) ....................................................... 557
Contracts Data Integration ......................................................503 Progress Accounts ............................................................ 557
Data (Contracts).......................................................................503 Progress Items .................................................................. 575
Contracts ...........................................................................503 Field Management Changes ............................................. 579
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Contents
Calculations (Field Management) ............................................582 Ledger Control Account Codes ......................................... 623
Calculate Field Management Totals .................................582 Ledger Control Element Codes......................................... 624
Spread Time Phased Data .................................................585 Funding Sources ............................................................... 625
Close Field Management Period .......................................588 Indirect Costs.................................................................... 626
Tools (Field Management) .......................................................589 Multipliers ........................................................................ 628
Field Management Settings ..............................................589 Escalations ........................................................................ 631
Time Phased Data Curves .................................................603 Purchase Orders and Contracts (Define) ................................ 635
Change Impact (Advanced Change Management) ...........606 Event Templates ............................................................... 636
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User Guide
Shared (Import/Export) ...........................................................643 Import/Export Time Phased Data (Field Management) ... 686
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Contents
Build Currency IDs .............................................................712 Change Actual History (Field Management) .................... 728
Select Quantities For Control Accounts ............................712 Chapter 21 Reports......................................................... 731
Schedule (Utilities)...................................................................713 Project/Enterprise Reports ..................................................... 731
Create Account Cross-ref ..................................................713 Cost Management Reports .............................................. 738
Engineering (Utilities) ..............................................................715 Engineering Reports ......................................................... 746
Populate Document Milestones .......................................715 Equipment/Materials Reports.......................................... 749
Populate Account Milestones ...........................................715 Procurement Reports ....................................................... 751
Build Control Account IDs (Engineering)...........................716 Contract Reports .............................................................. 754
Build Engineering Account IDs ..........................................717 Prime Contract Reports .................................................... 756
Combine Engineering Accounts ........................................719 Invoice Management Reports .......................................... 757
Purchase Orders (Utilities).......................................................719 Field Management Reports .............................................. 758
Copy Requisition Items .....................................................719 Project/Enterprise Batch ......................................................... 763
Copy Purchase Order Items ..............................................720 Lists ......................................................................................... 764
Contracts (Utilities) ..................................................................721 Administration Lists.......................................................... 766
Copy Contract Items .........................................................721 Enterprise Lists ................................................................. 766
Field Management...................................................................722 Project Lists ...................................................................... 766
Build Control Account IDs (Field Management) ...............722 Project/Enterprise Page Setup ................................................ 768
Build Progress Account IDs ...............................................723 Project/Enterprise Report Writer ........................................... 770
Populate Account Rules of Credit .....................................724 Add Report Writer Reports to Reports Menu ......................... 784
Populate Items Rules of Credit .........................................725 Watermark .............................................................................. 786
Reconcile Actual Data (Field Management) .....................726
Chapter 22 Installation and Deployment ......................... 787
Combine Progress Accounts .............................................727
Installation and Deployment Overview .................................. 787
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User Guide
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Chapter 1
Before You Begin
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This section introduces you to ARES Project Management LLC, the developers of PRISM , as well as providing you with instructions on how to
use this guide.
Introduction to ARES
ARES Project Management LLC (http://www.aresprism.com/), a subsidiary of ARES Holding Corporation, is the developer of all PRISM
software applications which are used in many facets of project management. Organizations in more than 50 countries rely on PRISM software
applications to manage engineering and construction of capital projects to lower cost, mitigate risk, and improve project performance. Our
focus is providing highly integrated technologies to meet our clients' project management and cost management needs.
We excel in helping our clients solve their most difficult challenges by providing innovative project solutions while reducing their technical,
schedule, and cost risks. Our sister company, ARES Holding Corporation (http://www.arescorporation.com), focuses on the Energy and the
Space and Defense industries with core competencies in:
Engineering & Design
Risk Management
At ARES, our goal is to always provide high quality, value-added solutions, on time and within budget. To do this, we leverage the knowledge
and skills of our employees along with the knowledge and skills of our clients to develop a set of project management solutions that are
unparalleled in the industry.
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ARES Project Management LLC supports our clients to maximize their PRISM purchase by providing a complete set of services and support
which include:
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PRISM training, implementation, configuration, and support services.
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PRISM experts with experience in a multitude of industries including, Oil & Gas, Mining & Metals, Energy, Construction,
Infrastructure, Transportation, Research and Development, and Government.
Development of Project Management processes and procedures.
Expert support to design your project/program work breakdown structures and reporting frameworks.
Experienced Project Controls (Cost, Scheduling, and Estimating) resources to support your project execution.
System Integration experts to align your cost/schedule, design automated system interfaces, etc.
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User Guide
2
Chapter 1 Before You Begin
Bold Items you must select, such as menu options, command buttons, or items in a list. Also specific data to enter.
CAPITALS Names of keys on the keyboard. For example, SHIFT, CTRL or ALT.
KEY+KEY Key combinations where you press and hold one key and then press another. For example, CTRL+P or ALT+F4.
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Chapter 2
Introduction to PRISM G2
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PRISM is a software program designed for Project Management and Project Support professionals in order to manage projects in nearly
every industry.
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User Guide
Key Features:
Packaged Functions - License only the packages with the functions that you need for managing your projects.
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Choice of Databases - Create projects in Microsoft SQL Server Express® supplied with PRISM , or purchase Microsoft SQL Server®, or
Oracle® Server for larger implementations.
Multi-Project - Create an unlimited number of projects and summarize multiple projects for enterprise-wide reporting.
Multi-User Concurrent Access - Permits complete flexibility and security for multiple concurrent users. Any number of users can
access the same project simultaneously. Users are assigned permissions at the project and group command levels.
Multi-Currency - Maintain and report cost data in multiple currencies.
Enterprise Definitions/Reporting - Develop definitions and standards for all projects in the enterprise. Projects using enterprise
definitions can be combined in detailed enterprise reports.
Flexible Coding Structure - Use your own coding structure for flexibility in project reporting.
Data Import/Export Capabilities - Import or export data to several spreadsheet or database formats including Microsoft Excel®.
Directly import schedule data from Primavera® and Microsoft Project®. Importing from outside financial systems, procurement
systems, and engineering systems is easily accomplished.
Earned Value Performance Measurement - Variance analysis and reporting features meet the requirements of U.S. government
agencies including the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Department of Defense (DOD).
Powerful Report Writing - Quickly prepare report specifications with selected reporting options that are saved for future use.
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Data Integration - Data entered in one pane can be shared among other panes within PRISM .
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Chapter 2 Introduction to PRISM G2
PRISM G2 Structure
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The PRISM application is structured in three distinct components.
Administration is the exterior component where database management occurs, new users are added
and permission rights are assigned, and other administrative functions occur.
Enterprise is the center component where new projects are added, enterprise codes and lists are
defined, enterprise reporting periods are set, and employees and resource categories are entered. It is
also where enterprise reports are printed, combining data from multiple projects.
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Projects are the interior component where PRISM projects are accessed. This is where all
project-specific functions and processes are conducted. There are various forms, data panes,
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calculations, and routines that are available depending on which of the PRISM Package options are
purchased.
Note that three of the packages, Equipment/Materials, Prime Contracts, and Invoice
Management are not purchased separately. They are included depending on which of the
other six packages are purchased.
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User Guide
Data Integration
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Data integration is a key feature of PRISM ; whether it is internal integration, such as sharing data between panes or packages, or external
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integration, when data are imported from external applications into PRISM . Some of the integration capabilities, described below, should
provide you with a sense of the benefits that full integration delivers:
Control Account budget data are derived from the estimate details imported from a commercial estimating package or from Schedule
Activities and Resources imported from an external schedule.
Commitments can be transferred from the Procurement, Contracts, and Prime Contracts package to Control Accounts in the Cost
Management package.
A Control Account's percent complete can come from a variety of sources including a composite percent complete of the Schedule
activities. In addition, progress can be populated from the composite progress of engineering deliverables in the Engineering package.
Progress can also be populated with the composite progress of hours worked for Progress Accounts in the Field Management
package.
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The diagram below communicates how internal data are shared among the different packages in PRISM . It also shows how external data are
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imported from various software applications into PRISM . Integrating data not only eliminates redundant data entry but also provides a
credible audit trail.
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Chapter 2 Introduction to PRISM G2
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Chapter 3
What's New
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PRISM Version 3.6 is an exciting new product that employs many popular functions and features of PRISM Project Manager Version 5.1
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while using a state-of-the-art development platform and user interface. This chapter indicates the improvements that PRISM provides over
PRISM Project Manager. It also includes a description of the new features that are added with each major product release.
Features Update
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Close Reporting Period - When a Reporting Period is closed, PRISM performs a sequence of calculations. Depending on the size of the
project, this calculation could take considerable time. In an effort to speed up the period closeout process, and alleviate performing
calculations multiple times, three new options have been added to the Close Reporting Period calculation. This option has been included in
the Cost Management, Engineering, and Field Management packages under the Close Reporting Period calculation.
When a Reporting Period is closed several calculations are performed for Control Accounts, Engineering Accounts, and Progress Accounts. This
is a system-defined process that calculates and verifies project data. The standard process calculates the account totals, verifies the data, and
calculates the totals again after incrementally moving to the next period.
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User Guide
With these new options, a User can determine which of these three processes they would like to run during period closeout, if any. If the data
for all of the accounts was calculation right before closing the reporting period and it has not been modified, that might be an option to skip
during closeout to expedite the process.
Spreading Time Phased Data - Two new options have been added when spreading time phased data in the Cost Management package to the
make the calculation more transparent and efficient. When running the Spread Time Phased Data calculation, you can select whether you
want to spread the Control Budget Earned Value and/or the Financial Budget Earned Value. If these two budgets are not being tracked on a
project, by de-selecting these options, the data being calculated is reduced, therefore, increasing the performance of the calculation.
Cost Management
New Percent Complete Methods - Two new Percent Complete Methods have been added to Control Accounts in the Cost Management
package to track and record progress from the linked records from Engineering and Field Management packages. The EEV and FEV methods
use the earned value from either linked Engineering or Progress Accounts and divide the value by the Control Account’s Approved Budget.
EEV = Engineering Accounts Earned Value / Control Accounts Approved Budget
FEV = Progress Accounts Earned Value / Control Accounts Approved Budget
New Distribution Curves - Two new Distribution Curves have been added to Control Accounts in the Cost Management package to time phase
budget and forecast data from the linked records from Engineering and Field Management packages.
The ENGINEER and PROGACCT curves use the budget and forecast data linked to Engineering or Progress Accounts. When these methods are
applied, the data from the linked records will not be not be time phased when the Spread Time Phased Data calculation is run. This is because
the Engineering and Progress Account data is time phased when the Calculate Account Totals calculation is run based on the spread assigned
to each record that is cross-referenced.
These methods are used to prevent the re-spreading of data when using Engineering or Progress Accounts data for the Control Account’s
budget and forecast.
Administration
Temporary Read-Only Setting - This added feature provides flexibility to the System Administration to temporarily restrict access to Users. By
clicking on this option in the Users form, the User permissions are limited to read-only. A User's access to projects does not change, just the
ability to enter or change data. This setting could be enabled between the end of one reporting period and the start of another to ensure the
data is not compromised before the period is closed and the reports have been run. To use this feature, select Administration > Data > Users.
Locate a User, and click Temporary Read Only User in the Permissions group box.
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Chapter 3 What's New
Procurement/Contracts
Use Start Dates Option - An option has been added to the Purchase Orders-Events and the Contracts-Event subpanes that allows Events to
use Schedule Activities Start Dates. By default, the Activity’s Finish Dates are used. The option to use Start Dates, is just an additional option to
provide flexibility when tracking and progressing Events on Purchase Orders and Contracts. This feature is located by selected Procurement or
Contracts > Data > Purchase Orders or Contracts, and select the Events subpane and click Use Start.
Reporting
Suppress Grouping Header/Subtotal If ID Is Empty - If a Master Record is not assigned to a Group or Work Breakdown Structure element,
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when this option is enabled, the PRISM will not add a header or subtotal the records excluded from the Groups/WBS elements.
Import/Export
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Export Column Header Options - PRISM now allows Users to define the Column Headers when exporting data to Microsoft Excel files.
Previously, only Field Names were exported as Column Headers. The new options enable Users to export files with either Group Titles or
Descriptions as Column Headers.
Performance
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Several performance improves have been made to the PRISM application in this release. These include improvements to form loading,
navigation, processess, and memory usage. The most noticeable improvements can be recognized when working with large data sets.
FILE menu
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PPM Command PRISM Command
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User Guide
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PPM Command PRISM Command
DEFINE menu
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PPM Command PRISM Command
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Chapter 3 What's New
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PPM Command PRISM Command
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User Guide
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PPM Command PRISM Command
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Clearances Not included in PRISM
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Bond Types Not included in PRISM
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Contractor Evaluation Criteria Not included in PRISM
VIEW menu
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PPM Command PRISM Command
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Chapter 3 What's New
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PPM Command PRISM Command
CALCULATE menu
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PPM Command PRISM Command
Export Time Phased Data to File Import/Export > Cost > Import/Export TPD
Import Time Phased Data from File Import/Export > Cost > Import/Export TPD
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Export Winsight X12 File Not included in PRISM
Baseline Estimate Module Commands
Calculate Estimates Cost Management > Calculations > Calculate Estimate
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User Guide
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PPM Command PRISM Command
Import Estimate Data Import/Export > Budget > Import Budget Details
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Copy Baseline Estimate to Original Estimate Not included in PRISM
Create Control Accounts Cost Management > Calculations > Account Totals
Build Control Account IDs Utilities > Budget > Build Account IDs
Build Cost Element Transfer IDs Utilities > Budget > Build Element IDs
Build Currency IDs Utilities > Budget > Build Currency IDs
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Build Schedule Activity IDs Not included in PRISM
Import Primavera 5 Schedule Data Import/Export > Schedule > Import Primavera P6
Import Primavera 6 Schedule Data Import/Export > Schedule > Import Primavera P6
Import Microsoft Project Schedule Data Import/Export > Schedule > Import MS Project
Copy Activity Dates Utilities > Shared > Copy Schedule Dates
Create Control Account Cross-reference Utilities > Schedule > Create Account X-Ref
Engineering Progress Module
Calculate Engineering Progress Engineering > Calculations > Calculate Engineering Totals
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Create Actual Hour Data Not included in PRISM
Import Actual Hour Data Import/Export > Engineering > Import Actual Hours
Copy/Transfer Schedule Dates Utilities > Shared > Copy Schedule Dates
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Update Revision Number and Dates Not included in PRISM
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Closeout Reporting Subperiod Not included in PRISM
Closeout Reporting Period Engineering > Calculations > Close Engineering Period
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Chapter 3 What's New
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PPM Command PRISM Command
UTILITIES menu
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PPM Command PRISM Command
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PPM Command PRISM Command
OUTPUT menu
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PPM Command PRISM Command
SYSTEM menu
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PPM Command PRISM Command
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Chapter 3 What's New
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PPM Command PRISM Command
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Action Items Not included in PRISM
EDIT menu
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PPM Command PRISM Command
HELP menu
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PPM Command PRISM Command
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Chapter 4
Concepts and Processes
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PRISM is built in a manner where its features can be used in various combinations, providing each client a customized approach to
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incorporating PRISM into their business and project practices. You may want to review this section on concepts and processes to fully
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appreciate these features. Additionally, you will gain an understanding of the PRISM terminology so you can relate them to terms more
familiar to you.
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User Guide
Permissions Matrix
The following matrix indicates the lowest permission level that must be set to perform Administration, Enterprise, or Project functions.
Exclusive Use
Exclusive Use
Exclusive Use
Permission Permission Permission
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Chapter 4 Concepts and Processes
Exclusive Use
Exclusive Use
Exclusive Use
Permission Permission Permission
Delete Records (exception below) 5-Delete Records 5-Delete Records 5-Delete Records
Deleting Control Accounts, Engineering
Accounts, and Progress Accounts with 6-Run Processes 6-Run Processes 6-Run Processes X
Historical Data
Groups and WBS (changes to Group
6-Run Processes 6-Run Processes
Titles or associated settings)
Calculations (exception below) 6-Run Processes 6-Run Processes
Calculate Account Totals, Spread
3-Change Data 3-Change Data
Budgets, Spread ETC/Earned icons
Close Out Reporting Periods calculation
(Cost Management, Engineering, and 6-Run Processes 6-Run Processes X
Field Management packages)
Enterprise Processes 6-Run Processes 6-Run Processes
Settings 6-Run Processes 6-Run Processes
Import (exceptions below) 6-Run Processes X 6-Run Processes X 6-Run Processes X
Importing historical data using Import
TPD, or Import/Export (User must have
6-Run Processes X X
6-Run Processes for All Projects in
addition to Permissions listed)
Export 3-Change Data 3-Change Data 3-Change Data
Utilities (exceptions below) 3-Change Data
Utilities (Combine Accounts, Change
6-Run Processes
Actual History)
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User Guide
Exclusive Use
Exclusive Use
Exclusive Use
Permission Permission Permission
Database Management
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PRISM utilizes a database application where all administration, enterprise, and project data is contained. The system administrator has
control over the database connection (see "Connect" on page 238).
Connections to a Primavera P6 database (see "P6 Connection" on page 249) can be defined by the Administrator, ensuring the connection
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information is secure away from the PRISM User population.
Project Snapshots can be generated by the Enterprise User but the Administrator must first create Snapshot Databases (see "Snapshots" on
page 242), in which the snapshots of project data are contained.
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Chapter 4 Concepts and Processes
Enterprise Processes
Enterprise Users can create new projects where data are entered, calculated, processed, and reported. In addition, they can manage the
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packages and high-level options available to users on a project. This is typical of a strict project-centric application. However, PRISM provides
a significant advantage over this type of application with the inclusion of Enterprise functions, which include:
Developing definitions and codes for the Enterprise that are used on most, if not all projects. This eliminates the need for continually
developing new definitions and codes every time a project is created.
Generating Enterprise reports which combine data from several or all projects. Applying Enterprise definitions and codes on
individual projects is necessary to have a common method for grouping, sorting, summarizing, and filtering data within Enterprise
reports.
Generating snapshots of project data from multiple projects that can be maintained and viewed at anytime in Enterprise and Project
reports.
Performing specialized functions and calculations across multiple projects:
Performing totals calculations for Control Accounts and Engineering Accounts
Importing Cost and Engineering data from external sources.
Close Cost and Engineering Reporting Periods
Archiving project data
Most of the Enterprise functions are performed from the Enterprise tab; however, there are a few exceptions. A few of the Enterprise
functions are accessed from the PRISM Button menu. Enterprise reporting is performed from the Reports tab.
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Chapter 4 Concepts and Processes
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Below is a description of the various ways that Enterprise and Project Definition tables relate to each other within PRISM :
Enterprise and Project Definitions available to projects - Enterprise Definitions can be developed and those definitions are displayed
in the Project Definition forms in a read-only format. This means they can be used by the project but they cannot be modified. In
addition, definitions that are specific to the project can be added as Project Definitions. Therefore, the Project Definitions table can
include both Enterprise Definitions and Project Definitions.
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User Guide
As an example, you can create a list of Change Status codes that are available to all projects using the Enterprise Change Status form
accessed from the Enterprise ribbon tab. However, for a specific project, you may need an additional Change Status code. Since it is
only needed for the one project, rather than adding it as an Enterprise Change Status, you can add it to the Change Status form which
is accessed from the Define ribbon tab. The Change Status form will now display the enterprise's Change Status codes and the
project's Change Status code.
Only Enterprise Definitions created and available to projects - Some definitions are only developed at the Enterprise level and there
are no corresponding Project Definition tables. In most cases, these definitions are available to projects in drop-downs or pick lists.
For example, Document Types is an Enterprise Definition table that is used to categorize external document files that can be linked to
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records in PRISM . Only the Enterprise User can define the Document Types. A Project User can use this list, but cannot add to it
because there is no Document Types command in the Define ribbon tab.
Only Project Definitions created and available to projects - Some definitions can only be developed as Project Definitions. That
means they are developed for each specific project. There is no common Enterprise Definition that is available to multiple projects.
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An example of this is the Ledger Account Codes. Financial data can be imported into PRISM to populate Period Actuals in the Cost
Management package. This table is used as a crosswalk to relate financial codes to Control Account IDs. Since financial codes and
Control Account IDs are specific to a single project, there is no need to have an Enterprise Definition table.
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Chapter 4 Concepts and Processes
Enterprise Definitions copied to Project Definitions - Some Enterprise Definition tables are not automatically made available to the
Project Definition tables, but rather, the Enterprise Definitions can be copied to the Project Definitions table. In the case of Currencies
and Categories, you have a choice as to which specific definition records are copied. In other cases, the entire list of Enterprise
Definitions is copied over. Once copied, the records are now Project Definitions, and you can edit or delete these records without
altering any data in the Enterprise Definition tables.
Enterprise Definitions cross-referenced to Project Definitions - There are two sets of definition tables that must be cross-linked in
order to generate all Enterprise reports. Each project must have the Reporting Periods defined in order to time phase data. From
project to project, it is likely that the Reporting Periods defined will have different start dates, different numbers of periods, and the
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duration of those periods will be different. When generating Enterprise reports that include time phased data, PRISM will not know
how to deal with these differences unless a common reporting period structure is used. The Enterprise Periods definition table is used
to develop this common reporting period structure. Once created, the Enterprise Periods are cross-referenced to a project's
Reporting Periods. When Enterprise time phased reports are generated, the project Reporting Periods are converted to use the
Enterprise Periods.
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User Guide
Note that Enterprise Periods should range from the first project's start date to months or years past the furthermost finish date
of all the projects.
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Chapter 4 Concepts and Processes
Similarly, each project can develop their own set of Control Elements for sub-dividing Cost, Hours, and Quantity data on records.
Some projects require a large list of Control Elements; whereas smaller projects may use a much smaller list. In order to generate
some Enterprise Reports that display the Control Element values, there must be a common list of Control Elements. This common list
is developed in the Enterprise Elements definition table and the Enterprise Elements are cross-referenced to Control Elements in the
Control Elements definition table.
The table below indicates how all of the Enterprise Definitions and Project Definitions relate with each other. The Comments section briefly
describes what the definition table is used for and provides other information. The packages where the definition table is used is displayed in
parentheses.
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available to projects
Project Def'ns
Enterprise Definitions Project Definitions Comments
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Chapter 4 Concepts and Processes
available to projects
Project Def'ns
Enterprise Definitions Project Definitions Comments
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available to projects
Project Def'ns
Enterprise Definitions Project Definitions Comments
Enterprise Funding Define sources of funding. Funding Source Amounts are applied
Funding Sources X
Sources at the project-level only. (Cost Mgt)
Generate costs from Staffing Plans or resource-loaded
Enterprise Indirect Costs Indirect Costs X
schedules. (Cost Mgt)
Generate costs from Staffing Plans or resource-loaded
Enterprise Multipliers Multipliers X
schedules. (Cost Mgt)
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Chapter 4 Concepts and Processes
available to projects
Project Def'ns
Enterprise Definitions Project Definitions Comments
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User Guide
Creating Projects
The System Administrator and the Enterprise-User both have the ability to create new projects. Below are the steps to take prior to and
during project setup.
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Chapter 4 Concepts and Processes
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User Guide
"If you aim for nothing, you will hit it every time." - Shaun Sherrick
What is EVMS?
EVMS is not a software product or tool, but rather a collection of management practices used to:
Plan all work scope for the project to completion.
Breakdown the project work scope into finite pieces that can be assigned to a responsible person or organization.
Integrate the work scope, cost, and schedule into a time phased Performance Measurement Baseline.
Routinely access the project's progress and actual costs.
Measure and analyze performance using the Performance Measurement Baseline.
Identify variances to the Performance Measurement Baseline.
Control changes to the Performance Measurement Baseline.
Forecast the project outcome.
An EVMS integrates the technical work scope of a project with its estimated cost and schedule into manageable and discrete work packages. A
well thought out plan and control structure will support good decision-making.
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Chapter 4 Concepts and Processes
Organization
Organization is critical to the success of a project. During this phase a Work Breakdown Structure (WBS), Organizational Breakdown
Structure (OBS), and the Responsibility Assignment Matrix (RAM) are developed. These items are generally included in a Project
Management Plan along with other items such as:
Resources and Responsibilities Project Schedule
Major Deliverables Method to control scope, schedule, and budget
Project Budget (estimate)
The WBS is a product-oriented grouping of project elements encompassing the total scope of the project. It is a hierarchal structure and is
logically organized as to how the work will be accomplished. A WBS is typically project specific and usually based on one or more of the
following elements:
Phase System Facility Area
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Chapter 4 Concepts and Processes
The WBS and OBS are integrated into a Responsibility Assignment Matrix sometimes called a RAM Chart. Its purpose is to indicate the work
scope each organization is responsible to complete. The point of intersection between an OBS and a WBS is called a Control Account.
This diagram is an example of a RAM chart which indicates Control Accounts at various intersections of a WBS and an OBS.
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User Guide
A Control Account is a management control point where the integration of scope, budget, schedule, and actual cost takes place and where
performance is measured. Control Accounts may include one or more Work Packages and are associated with a single organization. A Control
Account Manager (CAM) is assigned to each Control Account and given authority and responsibility to manage the control account's scope,
budget, and schedule.
The Performance Measurement Baseline (PMB) is the approved plan for the scope of the project against which project execution is compared
and deviations are measured. Budgeted costs and schedule Activities are integrated at the Control Account in order to time phase the budget.
The PMB integrates the technical scope, schedule, and budget but does not include Management Reserve, which is typically some portion of
the contingency.
A Work Package is a deliverable or project work component at the lowest level of each branch of the WBS. The work package includes
schedule Activities and schedule milestones required to complete the work package deliverable or project work component.
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Chapter 4 Concepts and Processes
Planning Packages are created for future work scope where the work has not been assigned to a responsible organization and/or the detailed
planning has not taken place. Once detail planning occurs and the work is assigned to an organization, then a planning package is converted
into one or more work packages.
Typically the costs are broken down to a level below the Control Account/Work Package. These elements of cost can include Labor, Materials,
Equipment, Subcontracts, etc., and are referred to as Cost Elements.
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Note that PRISM uses the term Control Account as the point where costs are managed. The PRISM Control Account data
pane is used for creating Control Accounts, as well as Work Packages and Planning Packages.
Accounting Considerations
During execution of the project, Actual Costs are accumulated in the same method as the work was planned. That means the financial system
must be set up to collect costs at the Control Account/Work Package/Cost Element level.
If delays in the accounting system are present (i.e., contractor invoices show up a month after the work was accomplished) then costs need to
be Accrued, meaning the cost of the work performed has not yet been entered into the financial system so it is estimated and added into the
actual costs.
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Variances that exceed thresholds are significant issues that must be addressed. Significant variances are analyzed to determine:
Cause of the variance (root cause).
Impact to the specific work and to the project.
Corrective Actions to be taken or which already have been taken to reverse or mitigate the variance.
Variances and project trends are used to forecast the final outcome of a project, in terms of cost and schedule. Forecasting is done at the
detail level (Control Account / Work Package / Control Element) and, when summarized, provides an entire project forecast.
Historical data, which is data earlier than the current reporting period, should not be changed. Typically corrections, such as labor being
charged to the wrong account in earlier periods, should be corrected in the current period.
The tool used for earned value management should have security to reduce or eliminate data tampering and should provide an audit trail of
changes to the Performance Measurement Baseline or historical data.
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Chapter 4 Concepts and Processes
Course Corrections
Part of the EVMS process is to determine the cause of performance issues in order to develop a corrective action plan. Course Corrections are
made much easier when performance issues are identified early. This is because the problem is still relatively small and there is plenty of time
left in the project to allow a recovery plan to work.
Management by Exception
Another significant function of EVMS is the concept of Management by Exception. A project managed at a control account or work package
level allows management to easily identify the accounts with performance problems. Management can then focus its efforts on correcting
those areas. Alternatively, management can recognize the areas of the project showing good performance.
Communication Tool
Lastly, EVMS is a Communication Tool helping everyone associated with a project understand these important questions:
What is the work scope?
When is the work planned to be accomplished?
What resources are planned to be used to accomplish the work?
What is the estimated cost of the planned work?
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What is the progress of the work; how much work has been accomplished?
How much does the accomplished work vary from the planned schedule and cost?
What are the reasons for the significant variations?
What will be done to correct or mitigate the significant variations?
What changes have been made to the plan?
When is the project forecast to be completed and what will be the final cost?
Communication is stifled when problems are hidden. It usually backfires when there is an expectation that problems will fix themselves.
"Good news should travel fast, bad news should travel faster"
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Chapter 4 Concepts and Processes
In the example below, the calculated performance is $500K - $400K = $100K; an underrun as described.
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In the example below, the calculated Cost Variance is $300K - $400K = -$100K and the Schedule Variances is $300K - $500K = -$200K. Both are
negative variance indicating poor performance, much different than the traditional evaluation process which indicated a $100K underrun.
You are probably asking, what does this difference in calculated performance from the traditional method to the Earned Value method mean?
The traditional performance evaluation process does not recognize certain events. For instance, Actual Costs might be less than planned costs
but this may be due to work starting later than planned, meaning the project is behind schedule. In addition, even though an underrun is
indicated using the basic process, when actual costs are greater than the value of the work accomplished, this suggests a cost overrun.
Therefore, the Earned Value process is a much better method for determining a project's actual performance.
Note that the Earned Value process also uses cost and schedule variances to calculate and determine a project's forecast, including the
expected finish date and estimated cost at completion. The example above indicates the project will end up being delayed one month and will
cost an additional $300K.
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Chapter 4 Concepts and Processes
Variances - variances are calculated from the three main components of Earned Value. Cost Variance (CV) indicates the difference
between the work that was completed and the actual cost of the work completed. Schedule Variance (SV) indicates the difference
between the work that was completed and the work that was planned.
Cost Variance = Earned Value - Actuals
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Indices - another way of looking at variances in terms of a ratio. Calculated values above 1.0 indicate good performance and below
1.0 indicate poor performance. A Cost Performance Index (CPI) of 0.80 indicates for every dollar spent to accomplish the work, that
80¢ of work was completed. A Schedule Performance Index (SPI) of 1.2 indicates for every dollar of work scheduled to be
accomplished, $1.20 of work was completed.
Cost Performance Index = Earned Value / Actuals
Forecast - the remaining cost to complete a project is called the Estimate to Complete (ETC). By adding the Actuals to Date to the ETC
the Estimate at Completion (EAC) is derived. The Independent EAC (iEAC) is a method for calculating EAC using other earned value
data. The To-Complete Performance Index (TCPI) indicates the value of work that has to be completed for every dollar spent to
complete the project within budget.
ETC = EAC - Actuals
EV Methodology Description
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Note that if all costs are entered in the same currency, this step can be bypassed. Furthermore, you can still use the
Multi-currency feature to generate reports in various currencies.
Baseline Development
The project's Baseline should be developed and approved prior to executing the project. There are a series of steps that must occur in order
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to develop a Performance Measurement Baseline. These steps take place after the project data is gathered and the new PRISM project is
created (see "Creating Projects" on page 38).
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Chapter 4 Concepts and Processes
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MAN Manual Entry Percent Complete The Earned Value (EV) for the current period is calculated by multiplying the Approved Budget by the
Percent Complete and subtracting the previous periods Earned Value. The Control Earned Value is calculated
in the same manner except the Control Budget and Control Earned Value data is used.
This is a non-standard method which can violate EVMS guidelines; use with caution. This method breaks the
relationship between the Percent Complete and the Earned Value.
No Calculations for Percent
NOC The user manually enters the Percent Complete in the Control Account data pane and manually enters or
Complete and Earned Value
imports the Earned Value and Control Earned Value in the Control Account-Time Phased Data subpanes
using the Import TPD feature.
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This is a preferred method for calculating performance for discrete work where quantities are tracked.
Quantity Actual to Date /
QAE The Percent Complete is calculated by dividing the Quantity Actual to Date (Quantity subpane) by the
Quantity Estimate at Completion
Quantity Estimate at Completion (Quantity subpane).
This method is similar to the QAE method except how the Earned Value and Control Earned Value are
calculated.
The Percent Complete is calculated by dividing the Quantity Actual to Date (Quantity subpane) by the
Total Quantity Actual To Date /
QTE Quantity Estimate at Completion (Quantity subpane).
Quantity Estimate at Completion
The Earned Value for the current period is calculated by multiplying the Approved Budget by the Percent
Complete and subtracting the previous periods Earned Value. The Control Earned Value is calculated in
the same manner except the Control Budget and Control Earned Value data is used.
This method is used for Level-of-Effort work controlled by quantity. It causes the Earned Value to equal
Quantity Approved Budget To Date / the Budget to Date for Quantity Elements, therefore creating a zero schedule variance for Quantities.
QEB
Quantity Approved Budget The Percent Complete is calculated by dividing the Quantity Approved Budget to Date (Quantity subpane)
by the Quantity Approved Budget (Quantity subpane).
This method is similar to the QEB method except the Approved Budget is replaced with the Late Approved
Quantity Late Approved Budget To Budget. The QEB method is preferred over the QLB method because it will signal a variance sooner.
QLB
Date / Quantity Approved Budget The Percent Complete is calculated by dividing the Quantity Late Approved Budget to Date (summarized
from the Time Phased Quantity subpane) by the Quantity Approved Budget (Quantity subpane).
This method is similar to the QEB method except the Approved Budget is replaced with the Control
Quantity Control Budget To Date / Budget.
QCB
Quantity Control Budget The Percent Complete is calculated by dividing the Quantity Control Budget to Date (Quantity subpane) by
the Quantity Control Budget (Quantity subpane).
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This method is used when earned value data is calculated outside of PRISM and user wants both sets of
data to be exactly synchronized.
Quantity Earned Budget To Date /
QEV The Quantity Earned Value To Date values are imported into the Quantity TP subpane using the Import
Quantity Approved Budget
TPD feature. Then the Percent Complete is calculated by dividing the Quantity Earned Budget To Date by
the Quantity Approved Budget. However, the Earned Value is calculated for Hours and Cost.
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This is used when quantities of items produced are not trackable and hours expended are important to the
Hours Actual To Date / completion of work.
HAE
Hours Estimate at Completion The Percent Complete is calculated by dividing the Hours Actual to Date (Hours subpane) by the Hours
Estimate at Completion (Hours subpane).
This method is similar to the HAE method except how the Earned Value and Control Earned Value are
calculated.
The Percent Complete is calculated by dividing the Hours Actual to Date (Hours subpane) by the Hours
Total Hours Actual To Date /
HTE Estimate at Completion (Hours subpane).
Hours Estimate at Completion
The Earned Value for the current period is calculated by multiplying the Approved Budget by the Percent
Complete and subtracting the previous periods Earned Value. The Control Earned Value is calculated in the
same manner except the Control Budget and Control Earned Value data is used.
This method is used for Level-of-Effort work controlled by hours. It causes the Earned Value to equal the
Hours Approved Budget To Date / Budget to Date for Hours Elements, therefore creating a zero schedule variance for hours.
HEB
Hours Approved Budget The Percent Complete is calculated by dividing the Hours Approved Budget to Date (Hours subpane) by the
Hours Approved Budget (Hours subpane).
This method is similar to the HEB method except the Approved Budget is replaced with the Late Approved
Hours Late Approved Budget To Budget. The HEB method is preferred over the HLB method because it will signal a variance sooner.
HLB
Date / Hours Approved Budget The Percent Complete is calculated by dividing the Hours Late Approved Budget to Date (summarized from
the Time Phased Hours subpane) by the Hours Approved Budget (Hours subpane).
This method is similar to the HEB method except the Approved Budget is replaced with the Control Budget.
Hours Control Budget To Date /
HCB The Percent Complete is calculated by dividing the Hours Control Budget to Date (Hours subpane) by the
Hours Control Budget
Hours Control Budget (Hours subpane).
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This method is used when earned value data is calculated outside of PRISM and the user wants both sets
of data to be exactly synchronized.
Hours Earned Budget To Date /
HEV The Hours Earned Value To Date values are imported into the Hours TP subpane using the Import TPD
Hours Approved Budget
feature. Then the Percent Complete is calculated by dividing the Hours Earned Budget To Date by the Hours
Approved Budget. However, the Earned Value is calculated for Quantity and Cost.
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This is used when quantities of items produced are not trackable and costs expended are important to the
Cost Actual To Date / completion of work.
CAE
Cost Estimate at Completion The Percent Complete is calculated by dividing the Cost Actual to Date (Cost subpane) by the Cost Estimate at
Completion (Cost subpane).
This method is similar to the CAE method except how the Earned Value and Control Earned Value are
calculated.
The Percent Complete is calculated by dividing the Cost Actual to Date (Cost subpane) by the Cost Estimate at
Total Cost Actual To Date /
CTE Completion (Cost subpane).
Cost Estimate at Completion
The Earned Value for the current period is calculated by multiplying the Approved Budget by the Percent
Complete and subtracting the previous periods Earned Value. The Control Earned Value is calculated in the
same manner except the Control Budget and Control Earned Value data is used.
This method is used for Level-of-Effort work controlled by costs. It causes the Earned Value to equal the
Budget to Date for Cost Elements, therefore creating a zero schedule variance for cost. This is the best
Cost Approved Budget To Date / method for Level of Effort work because schedule variances in performance reports are typically viewed in
CEB terms of cost.
Cost Approved Budget
The Percent Complete is calculated by dividing the Cost Approved Budget to Date (Cost subpane) by the Cost
Approved Budget (Cost subpane).
This method is similar to the CEB method except the Approved Budget is replaced with the Late Approved
Cost Late Approved Budget To Date / Budget. The CEB method is preferred over the CLB method because it will signal a variance sooner.
CLB
Cost Approved Budget The Percent Complete is calculated by dividing the Cost Late Approved Budget to Date (summarized from the
Time Phased Cost subpane) by the Cost Approved Budget (Cost subpane).
This method is similar to the CEB method except the Approved Budget is replaced with the Control Budget.
Cost Control Budget To Date /
CCB The Percent Complete is calculated by dividing the Cost Control Budget to Date (Cost subpane) by the Cost
Cost Control Budget
Control Budget (Cost subpane).
This is for Level-of-Effort (LOE) work. It causes the Earned Value to equal the Budget to Date for all Control
LOE Budget to Date / Total Elements, therefore creating a zero schedule variance. Typically used for support efforts, where deliverables
are not being produced, such as an Engineering Manager or Document Control Specialist.
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Linked Calculations
Method Calculation Description
Progress is calculated as the weighted average of the composite percent complete of Activities that are linked
Composite Schedule Activities to Control Accounts. The weighting precedence first looks at weighting in the Control Account-Activity
SCH
Percent Complete Cross-reference subpane. If no weighting is assigned to Activities in this subpane, then the weighting entered
on the Activity data pane is used.
Composite Progress Tasks Percent Progress Tasks are a set of milestones or steps that are statused each reporting period. PRG method is used to
PRG
Complete calculate Percent Complete as the weighted average of the quantity installed versus the quantity forecasted.
Progress is calculated as the weighted average of the composite percent complete of Engineering Accounts
that are linked to Control Accounts. The Engineering Account's Approved Budget is used as weighting to
Composite Engineering Accounts G2
ENG calculate the weighted average of each percent complete applied to the Engineering Accounts. PRISM only
Percent Complete
recalculates the ENG progress if the current Reporting Period for both the Cost Management package and the
Engineering package are equal.
Engineering Accounts Earned Value
Progress is calculated by dividing the composite Earned Value To-Date Hours of Engineering Accounts linked to
EEV / Control Accounts Approved
the Control Accounts by the Control Accounts' Approved Budget Hours.
Budget Hours
Progress is calculated as the weighted average of the composite percent complete of Purchase Order Line
Items that are linked to Control Accounts. Each Purchase Order's total Approved Cost is used as the weighting
Composite Purchase Order Line to calculate the weighted average of each percent complete calculated on each Purchase Order. To calculate a
PRO
Items Percent Complete Purchase Order's percent complete, the Approved Cost of each Line Item is multiplied by the Line Item's
percent complete to derive the Line Item's weighted percent complete. The sum of the weighted percent
complete is divided by the sum of the Approved Cost to calculate a Purchase Order percent complete.
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Progress is calculated as the weighted average of the composite percent complete of Contract Pay Items that
are linked to Control Accounts. Each Contract's total Approved Cost is used as the weighting to calculate the
Composite Contract Pay Items weighted average of each percent complete calculated on each Contract. To calculate a Contract's percent
CON
Percent Complete complete, the Approved Cost of each Pay Item is multiplied by the Pay Item's percent complete to derive the
Pay Item's weighted percent complete. The sum of the weighted percent complete is divided by the sum of the
Approved Cost to calculate a Contract percent complete.
Progress is calculated as the weighted average of the composite percent complete of Prime Contract Pay Items
that are linked to Control Accounts. Each Prime Contract's total Approved Cost is used as the weighting to
Composite Prime Contract Pay calculate the weighted average of each percent complete calculated on each Prime Contract. To calculate a
PRC
Items Percent Complete Prime Contract's percent complete, the Approved Cost of each Pay Item is multiplied by the Pay Item's percent
complete to derive the Pay Item's weighted percent complete. The sum of the weighted percent complete is
divided by the sum of the Approved Cost to calculate a Prime Contract percent complete.
Progress is calculated as the weighted average of the composite percent complete of Progress Accounts that
are linked to Control Accounts. The Progress Account's Approved Budget Hours is used as weighting to
Composite Progress Accounts G2
CPA calculate the weighted average of each percent complete applied to the Progress Accounts. PRISM only
Percent Complete
recalculates the CPA progress if the current Reporting Period for both the Cost Management package and the
Field Management package are equal.
Progress Accounts Earned Value /
Progress is calculated by dividing the composite Earned Value To-Date Hours of Progress Accounts linked to the
FEV Control Accounts Approved Budget
Control Accounts by the Control Accounts' Approved Budget Hours.
Hours
Progress is set at 100% if the Control Account's current early start date is earlier than the start date of the
TCS 100% at Current Schedule Start
current Reporting Period.
Progress is set at 100% if the Control Account's current early finish date is earlier than the finish date of the
TCF 100% at Current Schedule Finish current Reporting Period. This is used for Control Accounts where the 0-100% Rule is useful, usually only one to
two months duration.
Used when work associated with a Control Account is completed. Sets progress to 100% but allows actual costs
FIN 100% Complete
to continue to be entered.
Used when work associated with a Control Account is completed and you expect there will be no more actual
CLS 100% Complete and Closed
costs. Sets progress to 100% and causes the EAC and Committed to Date to equal the Actual To Date. Warning,
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Note that to assign an alternate Percent Complete Method to Schedule Activities imported for an external scheduling application,
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a special PRISM license is required. For more information with regards to licensing, contact PRISM Support (see "Technical
Support" on page 828).
This method uses the percent complete method that was assigned to the Schedule Activity imported from an
IMP Imported Percent Complete
external scheduling application.
This method allows you to manually enter a Percent Complete.
MAN Manual Entry Percent Complete The Earned Value (EV) for the current period is calculated by multiplying the Approved Budget by the
Percent Complete and subtracting the previous periods Earned Value. The Control Earned Value is calculated
in the same manner except the Control Budget and Control Earned Value data is used.
Progress is set to zero if the Schedule Activity Start Date is after the Current Start Date. Progress is set to
0/50/100 Percent Complete Within 50% if the Schedule Activity has started (Start Date is before the Current Date and the Finish Date is after the
50P
Current Dates Current Date). Progress is set at 100% if the Schedule Activity has been completed (the Finish Date is before
the Current Date).
0/100 Percent Complete Within Progress is set at 100% if the Schedule Activity Finish Date is after the Current Finish Date. Progress is set to
100
Current Dates zero if the Schedule Activity has not started (Current Finish Date is after the Schedule Finish Date).
This method is used to calculate Progress using the Schedule Activity's Early Approved Dates.
Data Date Within Early Approved
AED The Percent Complete is calculated as ((Data Date - the Early Approved Start Date) / Early Approved Finish
Dates
Date - Early Approved Start Date)) x 100.
This method is used to calculate Progress using the Schedule Activity's Late Approved Dates.
Data Date Within Late Approved
ALD The Percent Complete is calculated as ((Data Date - the Late Approved Start Date) / Late Approved Finish
Dates
Date - Late Approved Start Date)) x 100.
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Chapter 4 Concepts and Processes
This method is used to calculate Progress using the Schedule Activity's Early Control Dates.
Data Date Within Early Control
CED The Percent Complete is calculated as ((Data Date - the Early Control Start Date) / Early Control Finish Date -
Dates
Early Control Start Date)) x 100.
This method is used to calculate Progress using the Schedule Activity's Current Late Control Dates.
Data Date Within Late Control
CLD The Percent Complete is calculated as ((Data Date - the Late Control Start Date) / Late Control Finish Date -
Dates
Late Control Start Date)) x 100.
This method is used to calculate Progress using the Schedule Activity's Early Current Dates.
Data Date Within Early Current
EED The Percent Complete is calculated as ((Data Date - the Early Current Start Date) / Early Current Finish Date -
Dates
Early Current Start Date)) x 100.
This method is used to calculate Progress using the Schedule Activity's Late Current Dates.
Data Date Within Late Current
ELD The Percent Complete is calculated as ((Data Date - the Late Current Start Date) / Late Current Finish Date -
Dates
Late Current Start Date)) x 100.
FIN 100 Percent Completed Used when work associated with a Schedule Activity is completed.
Change Management
Change Management is a process where cost and schedule Changes to the project's baseline and forecast are applied.
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PRISM provides a means for communicating potential changes called Trends. In addition, Risks to the project can be identified and the
associated Risk Mitigations for the mitigating Risks are entered. It is important to note that Trends or Risks are designed to be communication
tools; you are not required to add Trends and Risks in order to enter Changes, these functions can be bypassed.
The Budget/EAC Changes is the vehicle for changing the Approved Budget, the Control Budget, the Financial Budget, and the Estimate at
Completion. Trends and Risk Control details can be assigned to Budget/EAC Changes, eliminating redundant data. Changes to the Control
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Schedule, the Approved Schedule, and the Current Schedule can be imported into PRISM from an external scheduling application, as well.
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Change Management, applied appropriately in PRISM , provides a complete and auditable system for tracking changes to the baseline and
forecast.
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Step 1 - Define Change Status Codes, Change Events Template, and Change Varieties
Change Status (on page 273) codes are defined. These codes determine how a Change impacts a Control Account’s Approved Budget, Control
Budget, Financial Budget, or Estimate at Completion. For instance, the Notice to Proceed status code is set to only affect the Estimate at
Completion, whereas the Approved status code is set to affect the Control Budget, Approved Budget, and the Estimate at Completion.
Change Events are a series of processing and approval steps. You can define a set of Change Events, called a Change Events Template (on
page 284), for each type of Change. When a Change is entered, a template of Change Events can be copied to the change, quickly setting the
approval process.
Change Varieties are used to categorize various types of changes. You can define a set of Change Varieties (on page 275) for the enterprise
which is then assigned to each Trend or Change.
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Step 4 - Enter and Status Budget/EAC Changes / Cross-reference Trends and Risks
Budget/EAC Changes (see "Change Management (Cost Management)" on page 358) are entered and an initial Change Status is assigned to
the Change. If the Trending or Risk Control systems are used, Trend Details and Risk Controls are cross-referenced (see "Control Accounts
Breakdown (Budget/EAC Changes)" on page 361) to Budget/EAC Changes. A description of the impact to the schedule is entered and Change
documents are cross-referenced.
The cost of the Change can be estimated (see "Budget Details" on page 385) and estimate data can be cross-referenced (see "Calculate
Control Account Totals" on page 394) to the Budget/EAC Change. If the Change requires its own change-specific time phasing, link the Change
to Schedule Activities and assign Distribution Curves. The Schedule Dates will have to be copied (see "Copy Schedule Dates" on page 695)
from the Schedule Activities to the Budget/EAC Change.
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The Change Events, which are basically approval steps, are statused as steps are completed.
This feature should be used with caution due to its complexity and number of features, options, and settings that need to be
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defined. It is recommended when using this feature; it should be implemented on all PRISM projects. If this process is enabled
on only a few select Projects several features, settings, and options will be unhidden across all Projects and could affect the
default Change Management process.
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Reviewers and Approvers for a Budget/EAC Change are defined by the User/Teams' permissions by the PRISM System Administrator. Each
User/Team is assigned an Approval Authority (see "Approval Authority (Advanced Change Management)" on page 282) that defines as the
maximum dollar amount of a Change a User can approve. This helps define their role in the process based on a Budget/EAC Change amount.
Each Budget/EAC Change record is assigned a Review and Approval method, which determines the sequence in which Users/Teams review
and approve the Change.
The Review and Approval process can also use Email Notifications (on page 79) that are generated and sent to the Reviewers and Approvers
assigned to a Change. This alerts the Reviewers and Approvers of the Change and their role in the Review and Approve process.
To help manage and track Changes on a project, the Change Summary data pane allows Users/Teams to view and filter Changes that have
been initiated on a Project. The Change Summary also allows Users/Teams to Review and Approve Changes without having to open each
individual Change record.
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Note that the Reviewer's settings in the Project or Enterprise Settings form also define a Users/Teams role as a Reviewer and
Approver.
Email Notifications
The Email Notification option can be used to generate and send emails to Budget/EAC Change Owners as well as Users who have been
assigned to take place in the Review and Approval process as part of the Advanced Change Management feature. Emails can be generated and
sent automatically or can be generated and modified before sending. The subject and contents of the email can be automatically generated
from data entered in the corresponding fields on the Budget/EAC Change record.
These emails alert Users they must act on a Budget/EAC Change record before it can be marked as Final. The requested action the User must
perform is defined in the Budget/EAC Changes-Approvals subpane on in the Change Summary (see "Change Summary (Advanced Change
Management)" on page 383).
In order for emails to be generated and sent, there are several settings and definitions that need to be set.
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Note that this feature can only be used if the Review and Approval process option is enabled.
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Chapter 4 Concepts and Processes
Approver Option
The Approver Option is a specialized option that allows Users to Review and Approve changes to the budget and forecast using the Advanced
Change Management Review and Approval option. This option provides System Administrators a method to assign Users specifically to the
Review and Approval process while granting limited access to the Cost Management package. Users are assigned Reviewer/Approval
permissions only to projects where they have been assigned as a Reviewer/Approver in the Budget/EAC Changes-Approvals subpane.
A User with this option can review and approve Project and Enterprise Budget/EAC Changes, while having read-only access to the Budget/EAC
Change record they are assigned as a Reviewer or Approver, as well as the Control Account record the change has been entered against.
Advanced Change Management is an advanced feature and is designed for projects creating several Budget/EAC Changes each Reporting
Period.
Note that once the User is assigned in the Budget/EAC Change-Approvals subpane, they can access the Budget/EAC Change and
Control Account record. The Review and Approval process does not need to be initiated for this to occur.
The role for a User as Reviewer or Approver for a Budget/EAC Change is defined by the Change amount and the User's Approval Authority
(see "Approval Authority (Advanced Change Management)" on page 282), which is defined by the System Administrator.
5) Depending on the User's role, check the appropriate checkbox. For additional information about the Control Account the change is
being entered against, select Cost Management > Cost > Control Accounts.
Note that if the Budget/EAC Change record has not been Submitted to initiate the Review and Approval process, the User can
view the Change record, but all fields in the Budget/EAC Changes-Approval subpane will be read-only.
b. Collapse All - collapses the Change Summary information to only display the Change record. This function can also be performed
by clicking the "-" on the left side of the Change record.
c. Mark All Reviewed - marks all Changes where the User is assigned as a Reviewer as Reviewed.
d. Marked All Approved - marks all Changes where the User is assigned as an Approver as Approved.
e. Marked as Rejected - marks all changes as rejected.
f. View Details - displays the Budget/EAC Change in a read-only format along with selected subpanes.
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9) When the User is done reviewing and approving Changes, click OK.
Variance Analysis
The process to Analyze Variances occurs each Reporting Period. Once the Actuals, Commitments, and Progress have been entered and the
Earned Value has been calculated then variances can be analyzed. The process begins by creating a Variance Threshold Specification, which is
similar to creating a Report Specification. The Variance Level is then assigned, which is either at the Control Account or a higher summary
level. The Actuals data type is defined to determine which data is being used to perform variance analysis. The Variance Thresholds are then
developed so that variances that exceed these thresholds can be quickly identified using a calculation. Once calculated, the Variances
exceeding the thresholds are analyzed so that a coherent explanation as to the cause of the variance, the impact of the variance, and the
actions taken to mitigate the variance are explained and Variance Explanation reports are generated.
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Staffing Plans
The Staffing Plans process is used when developing Control Accounts budget and forecast plans by Categories (labor, other direct costs
[ODCs], subcontracts, or fees) or by Employees. Cost categories are entered as bare costs, whereas labor is entered using hours or full-time
equivalents (FTEs). Data is entered for each Employee or Category by Reporting Period. Cost data is calculated in Control Accounts by applying
Indirect Cost Multipliers to Bare Rates or by using Time and Material Rates.
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The Plan Budget (see "Budget Plan and ETC Plan (Plans)" on page 355) is entered by selecting Employees and/or Categories and entering the
hours, FTEs, or bare costs by reporting period. The Plan ETC is then entered or it is copied from the Plan Budget.
Step 5 - Calculate Plan Totals and Time Phase Plan in Control Accounts
Plans do not affect Control Accounts until the plan data is transferred (see "Calculate Control Account Totals" on page 394) to the Control
Accounts. The Control Accounts are also simultaneously time phased as long as the Budget Curves and the ETC Curves are set to Plans.
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Indirect Costs can be calculated for items like Fringe, Overhead, or General and Administrative (G&A) costs. These costs, when included with
the Bare Costs, derive the Total Cost. In addition, you could also calculate Fee as an Indirect Cost. This would allow you to derive the Revenue
Cost of the project. All of these costs are combined into the Cost Elements where the Bare Costs are generated. However, you could choose to
place the Indirect Costs into separate Cost Elements, making it possible to report using a project's Bare Costs, Direct Costs, Total Costs, or
Revenue values.
Bare Cost Rates, either defined for Employees or Labor Categories, and Indirect Cost Multipliers are defined for the first Reporting Period of a
project. On projects that span several months or years, the Bare Cost Rates can change in later periods to account for inflation. Similarly, the
Multipliers can be altered in later periods to account for planned changes.
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For Resource-loaded Schedules, you will need to assign a Category to the Resources (see "Resource Assignments (Schedule Activities)" on
page 390).
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There is a standard Time and Materials Rate that is created for each Category. Up to five different alternate Time and Materials Rates can be
defined for each Category, as well. For example, you may use an alternate Time and Materials Rate to define overtime rates. When calculating
the extended costs, you can choose which Time and Materials Rates to use.
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Step 3 - Define Categories and Time and Material Rates by Enterprise/Reporting Period
You will need to create Labor Categories (see "Enterprise Categories" on page 275) and enter standard and, if needed, alternative Time and
Material Rates for each Category. Time and Material Rates are entered by Enterprise or Reporting Periods to account for inflation or
contracted rate changes. You will need to apply a rate to the first period so that costs are calculated from the first period forward. You will
then enter new Time and Material Rates in the subsequent periods when the rate is forecast to or actually changes.
User-defined Amount
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User-defined Amounts are additional columns of data that can be enabled in Control Accounts. PRISM permits up to eight User-defined
Amount fields to be defined. These fields are used to track additional cost, hours, and quantity information. Data is entered in the Control
Elements and Time Phased Data subpanes and displayed in the Performance subpane. Some potential uses include:
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Note that Method 3 takes precedence over Method 2 and Method 2 takes precedence over Method 1. Any data entered using
Method 1 will be replaced when the Calculate Control Account Totals calculation is run.
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Note that if Method 1 is used, time phased data can be copied using the Copy Amounts (on page 703) utility.
Funding
Funding is a process where the funds to execute the work on a project are incrementally provided to the Contractor. This is usually performed
on government contracts because government budgets are allocated on an annual basis. They, in turn, can only fund projects when they have
the budget to do so. Funding is different than a project's budget, which is the total planned amount to execute the project.
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Funding can come from many different sources and PRISM allows you to independently track each one. Tracking funding on a project allows
you to compare the total funding amount to the forecast. This allows you to determine when current funding will run out so you can request
additional funds well in advance.
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Escalation
The total costs of a project are estimated during the planning stage in order to develop the project's Baseline Budget. Typically, costs are
estimated in current or today's dollars. If the project is less than a year in duration and begins right away, the estimated costs should be
adequate as the project's budget. However, on longer duration projects, inflation will affect the costs. For example, the average labor rate for
a resource may be $50/hour today, but in two years it may be $57/hour.
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Inflation must be accounted for when budgeting your project. If your project's cost estimate has not been escalated prior to being imported
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into PRISM , you can apply Escalation after the fact. You can choose to escalate the following data types: Baseline Budget, Approved Budget,
Control Budget, Financial Budget, or the Estimate to Complete.
Once escalation is calculated using this method, the records in the Control Accounts-Cost Elements and Control Accounts-Time Phased Cost
subpanes that were escalated are tagged with an identifier, indicating which data types were escalated. You can Import Time Phased Data
(see "Import/Export Time Phased Data" on page 649) that has already been escalated. In addition, you can run the Calculate Control Account
Totals (on page 394) calculation on escalated data. In both cases, the tag used to indicate which data types are escalated on each record is
affected.
It is important to note that this is not a reversible process. You may want to copy the unescalated Baseline Budget to a
User-defined Amount field in order to revert back, if necessary.
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Cash Flow
Cash Flow is a process where the actual movement of money in and out of a project is tracked. Cash Flow is distributed during specific
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durations, typically Reporting Periods, throughout the course of a project. Tracking and monitoring Cash Flow in PRISM can help forecast
payment amounts to Contractors who are working on the project. This helps forecast the amount of Cash that needed to meet contractual
obligations.
Cash Flow can be defined several different ways and can vary from project-to-project depending on the terms of a Contract. One project
might provide an advanced payment to a Contractor, while the other might put a lag on a payment after the work has been completed.
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Engineering Processes
The Engineering package utilizes a sequential process for entering, statusing, and progressing Engineering Documents and Engineering
Accounts. The processes associated with the Engineering package are built around the lifecycle of a project which is performed in two main
phases:
Baseline Development
Monitoring and Analysis
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The Baseline Development phase is when the Engineering project is defined and setup in PRISM . It includes the integration of the technical
scope of work with its Engineering project budget and Engineering project schedule within a Performance Measurement Baseline. During the
Baselining phase, there are several settings, options, and definitions that are set before data is entered. Engineering Documents are then
created and baseline Budget Hours are entered. Engineering Accounts are generated and groups of Engineering Documents are linked to each
Account. Alternatively, Engineering Accounts are used for assigning Engineering Tasks; corresponding baseline Budget Hours are entered on
each Task. Approved Schedule Dates and Distribution Curves are assigned to each Account in order to generate a time phased Performance
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Measurement Baseline. Documents are linked to records in the Engineering package or in other PRISM packages.
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The Monitoring and Analysis phase begins when the Performance Measurement Baseline is approved and the execution of the project begins.
Each Reporting Period, Engineering Documents, and Engineering Accounts are statused. This includes entering Actual Hours worked and
forecasting the Estimate to Complete Hours and the Current Dates. Engineering Changes that affect the Approved Budget, Control Budget,
and the Forecast are entered. Progress is calculated, Budget Hours are time phased, reports are generated, and the Reporting Period is closed.
Reports are issued to management to highlight the main issues and corresponding corrective actions. Monitoring and Analysis continues until
the project is complete.
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Note that some of these steps may be performed by other project personnel. For instance, the Cost Control professional might
setup the project for their purposes, prior to Engineering doing their setup work.
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Group masking is an efficient method for automatically assigning Groups to Master Records. In order to use masking you will need to develop
a coding structure for each of the Master Record IDs, which are Control Accounts, Activities, and Budget Details. These structures are based on
data gathered for planning the project. The graphic below demonstrates how projects can be defined with common coding structures in mind.
This type of forethought makes subsequent data integration more efficient and helps the various disciplines involved in the project to have a
common method for relating to and organizing their work.
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Unless noted, the Earned Value for the current period is calculated by multiplying the Approved Budget by the Percent Complete
and subtracting it from the previous period's Earned Value.
Composite Weighted Progress is calculated as the weighted average of the composite percent complete of Engineering Documents that
DOC Engineering Documents are linked to Engineering Accounts. The weighting is based on the Approved Budget Hours assigned to each
Percent Complete Engineering Document.
Engineering Accounts are assigned Percent Complete Milestones which have a progressively increasing percent
Milestone Percent
MIL complete for each successive milestone. Each milestone is statused with an Actual Finish Date. The percent
Complete
complete associated with the last finished milestone is applied to the Engineering Account.
This method is similar to the MIL method except the Engineering Account's percent complete can be manually
Milestone - Manual Percent
MME modified. The range of percentage values is limited from the percent complete of the last finished milestone to the
Complete
percent complete associated with the next highest milestone.
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Hours Actual to Date / The Percent Complete is calculated by dividing the Hours Actual to Date by the Hours Estimate at Completion both
HAE Hours Estimate at found on the Engineering Account data pane. One possible use of this method is on a task that tracks site visits and
Completion meetings.
This is for Level-of-Effort (LOE) work and is typically used for support efforts, where deliverables are not being
Hours Budget to Date / produced. It causes the Earned Value to equal the Budget to Date, therefore creating a zero schedule variance.
HEB
Hours Approved Budget The Percent Complete is calculated by dividing the Hours Approved Budget to Date by the Hours Approved Budget
both found on the Engineering Account data pane.
Hours Control Budget To This method is similar to the HEB method except the Approved Budget is replaced with the Control Budget.
HCB Date / The Percent Complete is calculated by dividing the Hours Control Budget to Date by the Hours Control Budget both
Hours Control Budget found on the Engineering Account data pane.
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This method is used when earned value data is calculated outside of PRISM and the user wants both sets of data
Hours Earned Value / to be exactly synchronized.
HEV
Hours Approved Budget The Earned Value To Date values are imported into the Hours Time Phased Hours subpane. Then the Percent
Complete is calculated by dividing the Hours Earned Budget To Date by the Hours Approved Budget.
The Percent Complete assigned to the Control Account is assigned to each Engineering Account that is linked to the
Control Account Percent
CAP Control Account. This method is not recommended since the progress is not based on the Engineering Account's
Complete
percent complete.
Progress is calculated as the weighted average of the composite percent complete of Activities in the Cost
Composite Weighted
Management package that are linked to Engineering Accounts. The weighting precedence first looks at weighting in
SCH Schedule Activities Percent
the Engineering Accounts-Schedule Activity Cross-references subpane. If no weighting is assigned to schedule
Complete
activities in this subpane, then the weighting entered on the Activity data pane is used.
Used when work associated with an Engineering Account is completed. Sets progress to 100%. Actual hours can
FIN 100 Percent Complete
continue to be entered.
Used when work associated with an Engineering Account is completed and you no longer want to accept actual
100 Percent Complete and
CLS hours. Sets progress to 100% and causes the Estimate at Completion to equal the Actual To Date. Warning, when
Closed
using this setting, changes are not reversible once the Calculate Engineering Account Totals calculation is run.
Engineering Documents are assigned Percent Complete Milestones which have a progressively increasing percent
Milestone Percent
MIL complete for each successive milestone. Each milestone is statused with an Actual Finish Date. The percent
Complete
complete associated with the last finished milestone is applied to the Engineering Document.
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This method is similar to the MIL method except the Engineering Document's percent complete can be manually
Milestone - Manual Percent
MME modified. The range of percentage values is limited from the percent complete of the last finished milestone to the
Complete
percent complete associated with the next highest milestone.
Actual To Date / (Actual To The Actual To Date hours worked on a document is divided by the Actual Hours To Date plus the hours Estimated to
ACT
Date + ETC) Complete the work. Use this method if entering Actual Hours at the Document level to track performance.
(Baseline Budget - ETC) / The hours expended on work to date is divided by the hours Estimated to Complete (ETC) the work. Use this
ETC
Baseline Budget method if hours expended is important to the completion of the work.
The percent complete assigned to a Master Document is automatically assigned to each Engineering Document
Master Document Percent
MST linked to the Master document. An example for using this method is when multiple disciplines are providing input
Complete
into a single document, such as a specification or 3-D models which generate several 2-D drawings.
Composite Weighted
Progress is calculated as the weighted average of all linked Engineering Document to the Master Document. This
Engineering Documents
DOC method is applied to the Master Document. The individual Engineering Documents linked to the Master Document
Percent Complete for
will use any other percent complete method.
Master Documents
The Percent Complete assigned to the Engineering Account is assigned to each Engineering Document that is linked
Engineering Account
ACC to the Engineering Account. This method is not recommended since the progress is not based on the Engineering
Percent Complete
Document's percent complete.
100 Percent Complete and Used when work associated with an Engineering Document is completed. Sets progress to 100% and the Estimate to
CLS
Closed Complete hours to zero.
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Note that only one Hours Element and one Cost Element can be assigned to the Engineering package. There is not an option to
define Control Elements on each individual Engineering Account.
Note that because of this limitation of only being able to assign one Labor Category to an Engineering Account, the cost data is
more of a high-level Estimate.
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This calculation will use the Budget Hours for the Engineering Account. For Control Accounts with the Labor Rate Type defined as Cost Plus,
the calculation is Budget Hours x Bare Cost Rate. This calculation could include Multipliers (on page 287) if they are assigned to the Category
ID. For a Control Account with the Labor Rate Type defined as Time and Materials, the calculation is the Budget Hours x the Time and
Materials Rate.
The Hours and Cost data is displayed in the Control Account Totals group box in the data pane as well as the Control Elements and Time
Phased Data subpanes.
The Schedule Dates from the Engineering Accounts are also transferred into the Control Accounts. The linked Engineering Accounts' earliest
Schedule Start Dates and the latest Schedule Finish Dates are calculated as the Control Accounts' Early Start and Early Finish Dates.
When this calculation is run, the Time Phased Data Curves automatically default to ENGINEER for the Baseline, Approved, Control Budgets,
and Estimate To Complete.
Note that Engineering data cannot be transferred and calculated in the Cost Management package unless the Engineering data
has been time phased in the Engineering package.
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Procurement Processes
The Procurement package encompasses a sequential process for generating and tracking Requests for Quotation and Purchase Orders. Before
entering data into the Procurement package, there are several settings, options, and definitions that need to be identified. Once Purchasing
receives an Engineering Requisition, then a Request for Quotation is generated along with its Procurement Schedule. The Request for
Quotation documents are sent to a selected group of Bidders who then submit their bids. Each bid received is compared and analyzed and a
winning Bidder is selected. The Purchase Order is awarded and committed, and Letters of Regret are sent to the unselected Bidders. The
Purchase Order is divided into one or more Shipments and each Shipment is tracked with its own shipment schedule. At the completion of the
procurement, the Supplier's performance can be evaluated.
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Group masking is an efficient method for automatically assigning Groups to Master Records. In order to use masking you will need to develop
a coding structure for each of the Master Record IDs, which are Control Accounts, Activities, and Budget Details. These structures are based on
data gathered for planning the project. The graphic below demonstrates how projects can be defined with common coding structures in mind.
This type of forethought makes subsequent data integration more efficient and helps the various disciplines involved in the project to have a
common method for relating to and organizing their work.
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There are a number of Procurement Definitions that should generally be defined prior to baselining and executing the project. These are
described in later chapters:
Delivery Addresses (on page 300)
Attachments (see "Attachments (Contracts)" on page 520)
Agreement Types (on page 277)
Events (on page 293)
Event Templates (on page 294)
Payment Terms (on page 300)
Delivery Terms (on page 300)
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Contracts Processes
The Contracts package encompasses a sequential process for generating and tracking Requests for Proposal and Contracts. Before entering
data into the Contracts package, there are several settings, options, and definitions that need to be identified. Requests for Proposal are
generated along with its Contract Schedule. The Request for Proposal documents are sent to a selected group of Bidders who then submit
their bids. Each bid received is compared and analyzed and a winning Bidder is selected. The Contract is awarded and committed, and Letters
of Regret are sent to the unselected Bidders. Toward the end of the project a punch list is generated and remaining items are tracked to
completion. At the completion of the contract, the Contractor's performance can be evaluated.
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Contracts Changes
Changes are initiated due to changes in scope which impact Contracts that have been awarded. Pay Items may need to be added or quantities
may need to be changed. The Change Process includes creating a Change and adding Pay Item Changes that are linked to the Change.
Addendums associated with the Change are linked to the Contract, the Contract schedule is updated, and Change reports are generated.
Change reports can be sent to the Contractor to obtain their concurrence, if needed.
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Note that some of these steps may be performed by other project personnel. For instance, a Cost Control professional might
setup the project for their purposes, prior to Field Management doing their setup work.
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Unless noted, the Earned Value for the current period is calculated by multiplying the Approved Budget by the Percent Complete
and subtracting it from the previous period's Earned Value.
MAN Manual Entry Percent Complete The Earned Value (EV) for the current period is calculated by multiplying the Approved Budget by the
Percent Complete and subtracting the previous periods Earned Value. The Control Earned Value is
calculated in the same manner except the Control Budget and Control Earned Value data is used.
This is a preferred method for calculating performance for discrete work where quantities are tracked.
Quantity Actual to Date /
QAE The Percent Complete is calculated by dividing the Quantity Actual to Date by the Quantity Estimate at
Quantity Estimate at Completion
Completion.
This method is used for Level-of-Effort work controlled by quantity. It causes the Earned Value to equal
Quantity Approved Budget To Date / the Budget to Date, therefore creating a zero schedule variance for Quantities.
QEB
Quantity Approved Budget The Percent Complete is calculated by dividing the Quantity Approved Budget to Date by the Quantity
Approved Budget.
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This method is similar to the QEB method except the Approved Budget is replaced with the Control
Quantity Control Budget To Date / Budget.
QCB
Quantity Control Budget The Percent Complete is calculated by dividing the Quantity Control Budget to Date by the Quantity
Control Budget.
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This method is used when earned value data is calculated outside of PRISM and user wants both sets
of data to be exactly synchronized.
Quantity Earned Budget To Date /
QEV The Quantity Earned Value To Date values are imported into the Time Phased subpane using the Import
Quantity Approved Budget
TPD feature. Then the Percent Complete is calculated by dividing the Quantity Earned Budget To Date
by the Quantity Approved Budget. However, the Earned Value is calculated for Hours and Cost.
Progress Accounts are assigned Rules associated with the Rules of Credit, which have a defined weight
that total 100 percent. As quantities are completed they are statused and given a Rules of Credit
ROC Rules of Credit
Percent Complete based on their weight. The percent complete for the Progress Account is the total
Rules of Credit percent complete.
Hours Actual to Date / The Percent Complete is calculated by dividing the Hours Actual to Date by the Hours Estimate at
HAE Completion both found on the Progress Account data pane. One possible use of this method is on a task
Hours Estimate at Completion that tracks site visits and meetings.
This is for Level-of-Effort (LOE) work and is typically used for support efforts, where deliverables are not
Hours Budget to Date / being produced. It causes the Earned Value to equal the Budget to Date, therefore creating a zero
HEB
Hours Approved Budget schedule variance. The Percent Complete is calculated by dividing the Hours Approved Budget to Date
by the Hours Approved Budget both found on the Progress Account data pane.
This method is similar to the HEB method except the Approved Budget is replaced with the Control
Hours Control Budget To Date / Budget.
HCB
Hours Control Budget The Percent Complete is calculated by dividing the Hours Control Budget to Date by the Hours Control
Budget both found on the Progress Account data pane.
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This method is used when earned value data is calculated outside of PRISM and the user wants both
sets of data to be exactly synchronized.
Hours Earned Value /
HEV The Earned Value To Date values are imported into the Hours Time Phased Data subpane. Then the
Hours Approved Budget
Percent Complete is calculated by dividing the Hours Earned Budget To Date by the Hours Approved
Budget.
Progress is calculated as the weighted average of the composite percent complete of Progress Items
Composite Weighted Progress Items
CPI that are linked to Progress Accounts. The weighting is based on the Approved Budget Hours assigned to
Percent Complete
each Progress Item.
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Progress is calculated as the weighted average of the composite percent complete of Activities in the
Cost Management package that are linked to Progress Accounts. The weighting precedence first looks
Composite Weighted Schedule
SCH at weighting in the Progress Accounts-Schedule Activity Cross-references subpane. If no weighting is
Activities Percent Complete
assigned to schedule activities in this subpane, then the weighting entered on the Activity data pane is
used.
Used when work associated with a Progress Account is completed. Sets progress to 100%. Actual
FIN 100 Percent Complete
hours can continue to be entered.
Used when work associated with a Progress Account is completed and you no longer want to accept
actual hours. Sets progress to 100% and causes the Estimate at Completion to equal the Actual To
CLS 100 Percent Complete and Closed
Date. Warning, when using this setting, changes are not reversible once the Calculate Field
Management Totals calculation is run.
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Note that the quantities and hours data must be time phased in the Field Management package in order for the data to be
transferred to the Cost Management package.
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Note that because of this limitation of being able to assign only a single Labor Category ID to a Progress Account the cost data
generated from the Progress Account hours is more of a high-level estimate.
Note that Field Management data cannot be transferred and calculated in the Cost Management package unless the Field
Management data has been time phased in the Field Management package.
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Understanding the Interface
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To begin using PRISM you need to understand how the application is structured, how to identify and use the various PRISM Interface
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components, and how to customize the PRISM workspace to your advantage.
PRISM G2 Login
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You can access PRISM using a PRISM Shortcut found on your computer's Desktop or via the Microsoft Windows® Start button.
When selected, the Login form appears.
If User IDs and Passwords have not been setup by the System Administrator, then the initial User ID to enter is ADMINISTRATOR and the
password is ADMINISTRATOR, all in caps. If security is not important, you can leave the Administrator's User ID and Password as is. Then,
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when logging in to PRISM , if you right-click on the Login button, the User ID and Password are automatically entered and the application
opens.
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If the Operating System Authentication (on page 813) is enabled in PRISM , the system will automatically enter the User ID based on the
Username entered when accessing Microsoft Windows. All the User will need to do is enter their Password that they use when logging into
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Microsoft Windows. If the User wanting to login into PRISM is the Administrator, then they will have to use a feature to switch the User ID to
Administrator.
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The Database browse icon enables you to connect to an existing database or create a new database connection. New database connections
are usually created by the Database or System Administrator. The Database drop-down gives you a list of previously created databases to
choose from.
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To Login to PRISMG2:
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1) Double-click the PRISM shortcut on your computer Desktop or click the Microsoft Windows Start button, click All Programs, search
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the list of programs, and click PRISM . After a few seconds the Login screen appears.
2) Click in the User ID box and enter the User ID that your System Administrator provided to you.
a. If Operating System Authentication is enabled then the User ID will be automatically set to the Username used with accessing
Microsoft Windows.
b. To login as the Administrator, click the User ID browse feature. This will automatically change the User ID to Administrator.
3) Click in the Password box and enter your Password. You may be provided an initial password by your System Administrator, which
you can modify in Password Options.
4) Click either the Database browse icon or the drop-down, and select the database.
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5) Press ENTER or click the Login button. The PRISM application opens.
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PRISM G2 Interface
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The PRISM Interface consists of several components. Understanding the purpose of each component is critical to using PRISM in a
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productive manner. The following graphic indicates the various PRISM Interface components and how they are displayed on screen.
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Title Bar
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At the top of the PRISM application is a Title Bar. Contained in the Title Bar is the name of the software product, PRISM . In addition, if a
project is opened, the Title Bar contains the name of the opened project.
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PRISM Button
The PRISM Button, also referred to as the Application Button, has several functions. To access these functions you simply click the PRISM
Button and the menu appears.
There are four main functions to this menu.
PRISM Button Menu Items - Access the following list of commands, most of
which are project-specific.
Open Project (on page 198)
Close Project (on page 198)
New Project (on page 199)
Remove Project (on page 201)
Project Settings (on page 202)
Project Narratives (on page 212)
Archive (on page 213)
Restore (on page 215)
Purge (on page 219)
Refresh All Data (on page 195)
Close All Panes (on page 166)
Reset All Panes (on page 163)
Recent Projects - This list indicates the last ten projects (see "Open Project" on
page 198) that were recently opened by the User. You can open any project in
the list by clicking the project title.
PRISM Options Button - Click this button to access the PRISM Options form
where User preferences are defined.
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Exit PRISM Button - Click this button to exit the PRISM application.
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PRISM Options
The PRISM Options form is where User preferences are defined. This form is split into two sections, the Categories (left side) and the Options
(right side). Once a category is selected the related options are displayed.
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Display Options
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There are several options that affect how the PRISM Interface is displayed.
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Save Options
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PRISM allows you to send data from the PRISM database to a file location on your local computer or network. There are four separate
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processes in PRISM for which a Default Folder Path can be pre-defined. Setting Default Folder Paths eliminates the need to select a file
location every time these processes are run:
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Archive - copy project files from the PRISM database to a file location.
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Import/Export - export data from the PRISM database to a file location; import data from a file location to the PRISM database.
Export Report - export a report in a PDF format or other format to a file location.
Report Temp - export temporary source (xml) files to this file location. This folder is typically used to increase performance when
processing larger reports.
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Password Options
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As a PRISM User, you can change your PRISM password at any time. This is useful to maintain a secure environment for your PRISM data.
The System Administrator can also reset your password at any time.
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Ribbon
The Ribbon is a menu system designed to help you quickly find the Commands that you need to complete a task. Each Ribbon menu is
accessed by selecting a Ribbon Tab. Ribbon Groups are used to logically organize commands together.
The following Ribbon Tabs are found on the Ribbon, depending on what packages are enabled and your security permission:
Administration - access administrative functions such as setting database connections and assigning users and user permissions.
Enterprise - define enterprise-level groups, periods, elements, currencies, and other definitions.
Cost Management - enter, manage, and calculate cost, budget details, and schedule data.
Engineering - enter and manage engineering documents and engineering work packages.
Equipment/Materials - enter and manage equipment and materials lists and generate requisitions.
Procurement - enter and manage purchase orders and request for quotations.
Contracts - enter and manage contracts and requests for proposals.
Prime Contracts - enter and manage prime contracts.
Invoice Management - enter and manage invoices, payment requests, and payments to invoices.
Field Management - enter and progress quantities to be installed and hours worked.
Define - define project-specific groups, reporting periods, control elements, currencies, and other definitions.
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Import/Export - import data into and export data out of the PRISM database.
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Utilities - run utilities to manage and manipulate PRISM data.
Reports - access project and enterprise reports and lists; create batches to print several reports at a time.
You have the option to minimize the Ribbon to make more space available on your screen.
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3) To use the Ribbon while it is minimized, click the Ribbon Tab you want to use and then click the option or command you want to use.
After you click the option or command you want, the Ribbon reverts to the minimized position.
Help Button
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The Help Button , found on the right-hand side of the Ribbon, is used to access the PRISM Help System. The Help System is also accessed
by pressing the F1 key.
Most people find it more satisfying to find their own answers and it is often quicker than other methods. Options for finding your own
answers are shown in the steps below. If you cannot find the answer quickly, do not hesitate to ask us for help
(prismg2support@aresprism.com).
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PRISM 's Help System contains most of the information you will need to successfully work with PRISM . If you prefer, print-out the User
Guide and use it as an alternative to the software Help system.
Note that a Tutorial may be supplied with the Help System, which can be used to illuminate and expand upon the Help System
documentation.
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Online Users
There are times when you will need Exclusive Use (on page 197) of a project. To gain exclusivity for yourself, you may need to identify Users
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that are currently accessing the project so you can contact them and request they close the PRISM project. The Online Users form, accessed
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via the Information icon, lists all the current PRISM users, their contact information, and the project they are accessing.
If for some reason a user cannot be contacted and Exclusive Use is immediately needed, you can contact one of your Managers (system
administrators) who can remotely remove a user from accessing any project.
About PRISM G2
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The About PRISM form provides general product information that is useful primarily when requesting product support. The version and
build number, license information, and serial number are required information the technical support staff will request prior to providing
support. This form is accessed via the Information icon.
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Data Frame
The Data Frame is the area below the Ribbon where most data entry and data management occurs. By default, the navigation pane, data
pane, and subpanes fill the entire data frame.
The Docking Mechanism allows panes to be moved within or outside of the data frame. The Reset All Panes (on page 163) function is used to
set panes back to their default position within the data frame.
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Navigation Toolbar
Most panes and some forms have a navigation toolbar located at the top of the pane or form. This is where several of the commands
associated with manipulating records and grids are found. The common commands are listed below.
1 - Record Mode/List Mode (see "Navigation Pane" on page 152) 9 - Record Number
2 - Add or Remove Columns (see "Column Chooser" on page 183) 10 - Next Record
3 - Filter Data (see "Filter Columns" on page 186) 11 - Last Record
4 - Export Data to Excel (see "Export Data to Microsoft Excel" on page 12 - Previously Selected Record
192) 13 - Add Record (on page 176)
5 - Print Data (on page 192) 14 - Delete Record (on page 178)
6 - Reset Pane Configuration (on page 164) 15 - Save Record (on page 178)
7-12 - Navigate Records 16 - Undo Record (on page 179)
7 - First Record 17 - Refresh Data (on page 179)
8 - Previous Record
Navigation Pane
The Navigation Pane is a panel within the data frame which displays a table of records in a grid format. It is primarily used to locate, display,
and manipulate records in a table. There are a number of specific functions that can be performed which are accessed using the navigation
toolbar.
When a record is selected in the navigation pane it is also displayed in the data pane as a single record. The navigation pane and the data pane
are directly tied to one another and are inseparable.
The navigation pane is displayed in one of two modes, the Record Mode, which is the default method, or the List Mode. In Record Mode, only
two fields in the table are displayed, the ID and the Description. The data pane is displayed to the right of the navigation pane.
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In List Mode, the data pane is covered over by the navigation pane and all of the fields in the table are displayed.
Note that you can modify a list of fields displayed in list mode using the Add or Remove Columns (see "Column Chooser" on
page 183) function.
The navigation/data pane is opened within the data frame in a default position. However, you can use the Docking Mechanism to move the
panes to different locations within the data frame or to float panes outside of the data frame.
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Data Pane
The Data Pane is a panel within the window frame that displays one record from a table in a form format. It is primarily used to enter one
record at a time and to modify a single record. There are a number of specific functions that can be performed which are accessed using the
navigation toolbar.
When a record is displayed in the data pane it is also highlighted as the selected record in the navigation pane. The navigation pane and the
data pane are directly tied to one another and are inseparable.
When a data pane is opened a Data Pane Tab is displayed above the navigation/data pane. Multiple data panes can be opened at the same
time. A data pane tab is displayed for each opened data pane. You can quickly change the data pane being displayed in the data frame by
clicking any data pane tab. Data pane tabs are displayed in the sequence that each data pane was opened. You can re-sequence the tabs by
clicking a tab and dragging to another location in the tab menu.
The navigation/data pane is opened within the data frame in a default position. However, you can use the Docking Mechanism to move the
panes to different locations within the data frame or to float panes outside of the window frame.
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Subpane
The Subpane is a panel within the Data Frame that displays a table of records in a grid or form format. The records displayed are subordinate
to the record selected in the navigation/data pane. It is primarily used to locate, display, and manipulate records in a table. There are a
number of specific functions that can be performed which are accessed using the navigation toolbar.
A data pane can have multiple subpanes associated with it. When a data pane is opened each associated subpane can be accessed using the
Subpane Tab. These tabs are displayed below the subpane. You can quickly change the subpane being displayed in the data frame by clicking
any subpane tab.
The subpane is opened within the data frame in a default position. However, you can use the Docking Mechanism to move the panes to
different locations within the data frame or to float panes outside of the data frame.
Many subpanes that use a grid format will calculate the sum of data in one or more fields in the grid and display the total at the bottom of the
grid.
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Comments Subpane
The Comments subpane is a memo field used to enter additional comments about a record. This subpane is associated with several data
panes.
Comments are not displayed in reports.
To Enter Comments:
1) Open the desired Data Pane.
2) Locate a previously created Record.
3) Click the Comments subpane tab.
4) Click in the Comments subpane and enter any Comments associated with the record.
Notes Subpane
The Notes subpane is a memo field used to enter additional notes about a record. It is similar to the Comments subpane, except that notes
can be displayed in reports or hidden, if desired. The option to Show Notes is found on the Report Specification form.
To Enter Notes:
1) Open the desired Data Pane.
2) Locate a previously created Record.
3) Click the Notes subpane tab.
4) Click in the Notes subpane and enter any Notes associated with the record.
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Forms
A Form is a floating window used for entering data, setting options, or running calculations and utilities. Forms are different from panes in
that they do not fit within a Data Frame.
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Picklists
Picklists are used to select and add data. They are generally activated when records are being added to a subpane. There are two types of
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picklists in PRISM .
One type of picklist is a single record selection where only one record can
be selected at a time. It is identified with the words Select a Record found
in the picklist title bar.
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ScreenTips
ScreenTips are pop-up boxes that display descriptive text and sometimes a link to a Help topic when the cursor hovers over a command or
control. They provide additional information about the command to aid in understanding the purpose of the command.
You can enable or disable ScreenTips from displaying using the ScreenTip Display Option.
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Mini-menus
Typically commands are accessed from the Quick Access Toolbar, the Ribbon, and the navigation toolbar. When you are working in panes and
forms, you can access the most popular commands by right-clicking within the pane or form. By doing so, a Mini-menu is opened which
includes a set of commands that are dependent upon the feature selected. For instance, if you right-click a single cell in a grid you will have
access to the Cut, Copy, and Paste commands. However, if you right-click a row in a grid, those three commands are not available but the Add
Record and Delete Record commands are accessible.
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Calendar
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All date fields in PRISM allow you to enter dates using a Calendar. By using this feature you can quickly
scroll to a year and month. By selecting a date on the calendar, it is automatically added to the date field.
Note that you do not have to use the Calendar to enter dates. You can simply click in a Date field
and manually enter a date.
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Note that the Date Format for Reports is set within PRISM for Enterprise Reports and for Project Reports.
Note that these instructions are for Microsoft Windows 7. Older versions of Microsoft Windows may be slightly different.
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Error Messages
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The Error Message form displays common errors that occur during normal use of PRISM . These errors may be due to a data entry error or
processing error. They may also indicate a bug within the application. Some error messages also provide a possible solution. Note that this
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feature will be added in a future release of PRISM .
When an error message is received that does not provide enough information for you to fully understand the error, you can access a list of
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Standard Error Messages on the PRISM On-line Help System (to be constructed at a later date). This may help you to determine the cause of
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the error. If you need additional help, you can access the PRISM Support Portal (http://www.aresprism.com/support/support-portal/),
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however, be sure to copy the error message so you can provide this information to the PRISM support personnel. The error message form
includes a Copy Details button to copy the error message to the clipboard, which can then be copied into the New Case Form on the PRISM
Support Portal website.
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Auto-Hide
By default, the navigation pane is displayed for panes and some utilities. However, you can set the navigation pane to Auto-Hide, meaning
that it will be hidden from view and that a navigation pane tab is displayed on the left-hand side of the data frame in its place.
To Enable Auto-Hide:
1) Click the Auto-Hide icon.
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Resize Panes
When you open a view or utility that uses panes, the navigation pane, data pane, and subpane are positioned within the entire data frame
below the ribbon. You can Resize any of these panes by clicking and dragging the boundary line that separates any two panes.
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To Resize Panes:
1) Move the cursor over a Boundary Line separating two panes.
2) Click and drag the Boundary Line to the desired position.
Docking Mechanism
Each pane has a set location within the data frame. By default, the navigation pane is always on the upper left-hand side of the data frame.
The data pane is on the upper right-hand side of the data frame. Lastly, the subpane is located on the bottom of the data frame.
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PRISM includes a Docking Mechanism for moving any pane from its current position in the data frame to a different location. This location
can be within the data frame or it can be set to hover on top or outside of the data frame. For instance, you could move the subpane to the
right-hand side of the data pane.
Note that you can also choose from two different Docking Styles.
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Tab Groups
The data frame typically has just one navigation pane, data pane, and subpane combination opened at a time. However, you open a second
data frame for any data pane and associated subpanes; either by vertically or horizontally splitting the data frame.
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Floating Subpanes
Any subpane can be set to Float on top of the data frame without using the Docking Mechanism and just as easily reset back to its original
position.
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Function Keys
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The Function Keys provide a means of running standard Microsoft Windows-style commands as well as PRISM -specific commands. These
commands are listed in the following table:
Function
Command
Key
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F1 Opens the PRISM Help system.
F2 Not used.
F3 Not used.
F4 Not used.
F5 Not used.
F6 Not used.
F7 Not used.
F8 Not used.
F9 Not used.
Activates/deactivates the keyboard prompts. Use keyboard to access Ribbon Menus and run Commands. Alternatively, the ALT key will also
F10
activate/deactivate this feature.
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Function
Command
Key
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Opens Microsoft Windows Explorer to the access text files that PRISM generates to track performance and application errors. PRISM Support
personnel may request these files to help resolve issues. The text file location is as follows:
F11
Microsoft Windows 8 - C:\Users\<user name>\AppData\Local\ARES_Corporation\PRISM G2\<version>
Microsoft Windows XP - C:\Documents and Settings\<user name>\Local Settings\Application Data\ARES_Corporation\PRISM G2\<version>
F12 Detects any changes to the database that have not been updated and prompts you to run the database scripts to update the database.
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Exit PRISM G2
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You can Exit or quit PRISM using one of two methods. When exiting PRISM , any data entered or modified in the current record is
automatically saved.
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Managing Data
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In order to enter, modify, and manipulate data in PRISM you need to understand how to work with Records and use Grids.
Records
A Record is one item of information in a database that is composed of multiple fields. A set of records constitutes a file, which is sometimes
referred to as a table. For example, the project table might contain records that have three fields; project ID field, project title field, and
percent complete field.
Each record has a Field ID which is usually just the record's ID. For subpanes, the Field ID is typically two fields, the Field ID of the parent data
pane and the record ID for the subpane.
Note that when a Field ID is entered in a pane or form, any leading or trailing blank characters are removed from the ID.
However, any blank characters that are entered in between alphanumeric characters will remain.
You can add, delete, and save records. You can undo any changes to records before they are saved. You can search for a record in a table of
records and you can navigate through lists using a variety of navigation tools.
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Add Record
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There are multiple ways to Add Records in PRISM . Records are typically added within data panes, grids in the navigation pane and subpanes,
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and in forms. Records must be saved (see "Save Record" on page 178) in order for them to be added to the PRISM database.
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Delete Record
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Any record in the PRISM database can be deleted using the Delete Record icon on the navigation toolbar. PRISM does place some
restrictions on record deletion depending on how the record is tied to other records.
To Delete a Record:
1) Click on a Record in a form or grid.
2) Click the Delete Record icon on the navigation toolbar.
3) A prompt asks you if you want to delete the record:
a. Click Yes and the record is deleted
b. Click No and the deletion process is canceled.
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Note that some records may be tied to other data in the PRISM database. In those cases, PRISM may notify you about this
issue and deny deleting the record.
Save Record
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PRISM is developed similar to other database applications in which a new record or modifications to an existing record is automatically
saved once you move to a new record. If you want to save data entered on a record prior to moving off of that record, you can use the Save
Record icon.
To Save a Record:
1) After you add or modify a Record in a form or grid, perform one of the following actions:
a. Click the Save Record icon on the navigation toolbar.
b. Add a new Record.
c. Navigate to another Record.
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d. Exit the data pane or PRISM .
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Undo Record
Any data entered or modified in a record that has not been saved can be undone. When you Undo a record, the data that was entered is
removed and the data that was modified is reverted back to its original value.
Note that you do not have a choice to incrementally undo the data entered or modified. When you Undo a record, all of the data
entered or modified, prior to saving the record, is affected.
To Undo a Record:
1) Click the Undo Record icon found on the navigation toolbar. All unsaved modifications to the record are reverted back to the
state prior to modifying the record.
Refresh Data
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PRISM allows multiple users to access the same project and the same data panes at the same time. If this is how you intend to run your
project, then you will want to periodically Refresh Data. This process retrieves data in the database and updates the current record. This
ensures that changes others have made to the database are reflected in the current record.
There is a Refresh All Data command that allows you to refresh the data of every opened pane at one time.
To Refresh Data:
1) Click the Refresh Data icon found on the navigation toolbar. The record is updated with the most current data from the
database.
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Navigate Records
You can move from record to record in panes and forms using various methods.
The typical method of navigating records in data panes is to use the navigation pane. The navigation pane allows you to scroll through the list
of records until you find and then select the record that interests you.
Additionally, the navigation pane/data pane, the subpane, and some forms include a navigation toolbar that includes the following navigation
icons:
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Grids
A Grid is a method for displaying a table of data in a spreadsheet style format. Each record corresponds to a row in the grid. Each field in a
table corresponds to a column in the grid. At the bottom of some grids numeric data are totaled.
The navigation pane, most subpanes, and some forms utilize a grid in order to locate, select, and enter data into records and tables. Grids are
extremely flexible, allowing you to organize the data in the way that is most convenient for you.
Besides locating, selecting, and entering data, you can perform the following actions to a grid:
Choose which columns of data to display in the grid.
Arrange the columns in any sequence in the grid.
Sort records in the grid using data in one or multiple columns.
Filter records in the grid from data in one or more columns.
Group records in the grid from data in one or more columns - navigation pane only.
Export the records displayed in the grid to Microsoft Excel
Print the grid as displayed.
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Collapse Columns
Each column in a grid has a default width. When a grid is opened for the first time, the columns are displayed using the default width. The
Collapse Columns icon, which is found in the upper left-hand corner of the grid next to the first column header label, is used to collapse the
columns to the smallest width possible, while still displaying all or much of the information in the grid. In most cases, when the columns are
collapsed, the maximum width of data in a column or in the column header label is used to size the column. The exception is when data are
over 50 characters in length, then this width is used to size that column. Column headers may wrap to adjust the column to the smallest width
possible.
This Collapse Column icon is a toggle. It will switch the column widths from the collapsed mode to the default width mode.
After choosing the mode you want, you can manually adjust width of any column to custom fit the width of the column as you like. Once you
close the grid, the settings are saved. When the grid is reopened, it is displayed in the format it was set to when it was closed.
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Column Chooser
By default, grids display every field in a table as a column of data. In some instances there are columns in a table that will never be utilized. At
other times, you may want to temporarily hide a column. In either case, you can use the Column Chooser feature to choose which columns
you want displayed. In addition, the Column Chooser allows you to change the sequence of columns by moving a column header label up or
down in the list. And finally, you can freeze the first column or a range of the first columns by Pinning those columns in place. The pinned
columns will always be displayed on the left hand side of the grid. The pinned columns are always displayed on the left-hand side of a grid,
even when scrolling across the grid.
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Arrange Columns
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The sequence of columns in a grid for any table is pre-defined in PRISM . However, you can rearrange the columns in order to make data
entry more efficient or to display the data in a way that is easy for you to read.
To Arrange Columns:
1) Click and drag a Column Header Label of any column in a grid. Arrows indicate where the column will be placed.
2) Drop the Column Header Label on a different location in the column header.
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Sort Columns
When you first open a grid, the data are sorted by the table's Field ID in ascending order. You can change the sort order of the table using any
column or columns. The values can be sorted in either ascending or descending order.
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Filter Columns
You can apply a filter to one or multiple columns in a grid. The filter effectively reduces the records that are visible to you within the grid.
The Filter icon on the navigation toolbar must be selected to enable filtering on a grid. Once enabled, a filter row appears and filters can
be applied to any column or columns. In addition, the Filter icon is modified to indicate the filter is enabled. The Filter icon can be
selected again to turn off the filters and hide the filter row. The filter settings are retained so you can turn the filters on again.
Any field can be filtered by accessing the Filter Form. This form displays every value found in the field. You can select or deselect any value
found in this form, causing records in the table to be included or excluded from the grid. When dealing with dates, there is a little more
control over filtering by years, months, and exact dates.
You can clear any filter applied to a single field or you can globally clear all filters.
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The Filter Form also has specialized filters for text, numeric, and date fields. Depending on the type of data of the field being filtered, there is a
menu selection to access pre-defined Text Filters, Number Filters, or Date Filters. When selected, you are provided with a number of menu
options. By choosing any of these options, the Custom Filter form is displayed and is partially pre-defined, depending on the filtering option
selected.
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You can also access the Custom Filter without any pre-definitions, allowing you to create completely unique custom filter with multiple filter
conditions.
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To Filter a Field:
1) Click the Filter icon on the navigation toolbar to enable the filter.
2) Click the Filter Access drop-down icon on the field where the filter is to be applied. The Filter Form appears.
3) Check/uncheck the All checkbox to automatically check/uncheck the (Blanks) checkbox and all of the field value checkboxes.
4) Check/uncheck the (Blanks) checkbox to include/exclude any record in the grid if the value in the record's field has no data.
5) Check/uncheck any Values checkbox to include/exclude any record in the grid if the value in the record's field equals the value in the
Filter form.
a. For date fields, there is a tree structure for selecting the Year, then the Month, and then the Date. If a Year is checked, then all of
the dates in that year are included in the grid, and so on.
6) Click OK.
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Group by Columns
The records displayed in the navigation pane grid can be grouped together using any column in the grid. A column is selected as a Group by
Column. Each record, where the data in the Group by Column is equal, is grouped together in the grid. For instance, if a column with
quantities is used for grouping, then records with quantities of equal value are grouped together.
The Group by Columns feature is only available for the navigation pane when it is in List Mode. Up to three levels of grouping can be applied.
To Group by Columns:
1) Click the Mode button on the navigation toolbar to set the navigation pane to List Mode.
2) Click and drag a Column Header Label to the Group By area. The Group By area is above the column labels and is indicated with the
phrase Drag column here to group by.
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3) To add another level of grouping, click and drag another Column Label to the Group By area. Where you position the new group in
relation to other groups in the Group By area will define the hierarchy of grouping.
To Remove Grouping:
1) Click and drag each Group from the Group By area to the navigation pane's grid.
Print Data
You can Print the contents of a grid in the exact way the grid is organized and displayed.
1) Click the Print Data icon on the navigation toolbar. The Print Preview form appears.
2) Use the Print Preview features to define the page setup.
3) Click the Print button.
4) Click the Close button to close the Print Preview form.
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Filter
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Filters are found in several places in PRISM . They are used to reduce a list of records to a subset of records that match the conditions
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applied in the filter. There are two types of filters in PRISM .
The first type of filter is used to Filter Columns (on page 186), which is a feature found in grids. The second type of filter, described in this
topic, is used in calculations, import and export routines, utilities, and when printing reports.
One or more filter conditions are entered in a filter. There is one filter condition per row. Selections are made in each field of the filter
condition to create the filter. Those field selections are described below.
The Row Connector (AND/OR) is only available when multiple filter conditions are set. The Row Connectors below are used to relate one filter
condition to another:
AND - both filter conditions must be true.
OR - either filter condition must be true.
Parentheses are used to group two or more filter conditions together so that the group can be evaluated against another filter condition
above or below the group. Up to four levels of Parentheses can be entered.
The Field Description is used to select the field being evaluated.
Boolean operators are selected using the Operator feature. The value entered in the Field is compared against the Compare Value using an
operator selected from the list below.
Equal - specifies an exact value.
Begins - specifies a partial match that the value begins with.
Less Than Or Equal - includes if less than or equal to a specific value.
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To Apply a Filter:
1) The Filter is either displayed on a form or in a subpane.
2) On the first row of the Filter, click the Field Description drop-down and select a Field Description.
3) Click the Operator drop-down and select an Operator.
4) Click in the Compare Value/Field cell and enter a Value or click the Compare Value/Field drop-down and select a Value.
a. Alternatively, you can compare the Field Description to another Field.
b. Click the Value/Field Selector Icon. Notice the icon changes from for Compare Value to for Compare Field.
5) If necessary, add another filter condition using Steps 1 through 4. Notice the Row Connector is automatically set to AND.
a. To change the Row Connector, click the Row Connector drop-down and select OR.
b. To group two or more filter conditions; in the first condition of the group, click in the ('s cell and enter a "(" left parenthesis. In
the last condition of the group, click the )'s cell and enter a ")" right parenthesis.
6) Click the Preview Filter icon.
7) Click the Return to Filter icon.
8) If you need to clear the existing filter, click the Clear Filter icon.
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Note that you do not have to worry about panes that are closed. Once you open a data pane, the data are automatically updated.
Depending on the number of data panes opened, this process may take some time. There is a Refresh Data process that allows you to refresh
a single data pane and the corresponding subpanes. This feature is found on the navigation toolbar.
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Managing Projects
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PRISM is a project-centric application in that all data are entered and maintained within a project. To manage PRISM projects you must
understand how to open, close, create, delete, archive, and restore individual projects.
Exclusive Use
When opening a project, depending on your permission rights, you may be asked if you want Exclusive Use of the project. By clicking Yes, no
other user will be allowed to open this project while you maintain access. By clicking No, any other user can simultaneously access the project.
Note that only users assigned Exclusive Use permissions (see "Permission (Users)" on page 226) can acquire Exclusive Use,
which is necessary to Purge, Restore, Close Out Reporting Periods, and import historical time phased data using the
Import/Export or Import/Export Time Phased Data features.
When opening a project, if another user is already accessing the project without Exclusive Use, then the project will open without giving you
the opportunity to choose Exclusive Use. On the other hand, if another user did open the project with Exclusive Use, you will be prompted
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with a message indicating that you cannot access the project. In addition, the current user's PRISM login Name is displayed.
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You will not be prompted for Exclusive Use on standalone implementations of PRISM . By convention, a standalone configuration will only
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allow one User to access PRISM at a time.
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Open Project
You can open a project using the Open Project form or by selecting a project from the Recent Project list. Both of these are accessed from the
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PRISM Button. Once a project is opened the project's Title is displayed in the Title Bar of the PRISM window.
If a project is opened at the time you are opening a second project, the first project is automatically closed prior to opening the second.
Close Project
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You can Close a project at any time. In addition, you can close a project while simultaneously closing PRISM . When closing a project, the data
on the form or pane you are currently accessing is saved.
To Close a Project:
1) Click the PRISM Button.
2) Select Close Project.
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New Project
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The New Project command is used for creating new projects in PRISM . Only Users with Run Process permissions to the Enterprise can access
this command.
A new project is identified by giving it a Project ID. The Project ID is restricted to using the following characters.
Letters A-Z
Numbers 0-9
Blank space " "
At symbol @
Dollar sign $
Plus sign +
Equals =
Dash -
Underscore _
When creating a project, there are a few options that will affect which features are available to Users who are given access to the project:
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PRISM Packages - select which packages will be used on the project. The packages available are dependent on which PRISM
packages are purchased and have a current license. When restoring an archived project into this new project, only the selected
packages will be populated with data from the archived project.
Enterprise Project - determine if the project is included in enterprise reporting.
Multi-Currency - determine if the project will need to enter costs in various currencies.
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ERP Integration - enables PRISM data to be coded and transferred to an external ERP/Accounting System using the PRISM ERP
Integration feature.
If an existing project has been archived (see "Archive" on page 213), the data from the archived project can be copied to the new project at
the same time the new project is created. There are a few extra options available when a Restore File is selected:
Include Default Group Data - includes the archived project's Default Group codes and settings.
Include Field Progressing - includes the Field Progressing data that was archived from the Import Mobile App Data import feature.
This option is only included if Field Progressing was enabled on the project.
Exclude Actuals History - excludes the archived project's historical actuals.
Once a new project is created, there are settings you can add or modify using the Projects (on page 255) data pane in the Enterprise tab. This
would include setting User Permissions and assigning Project Groups. You can also set projects to be hidden or closed, add additional
Packages, if they were not originally included when the project was created, and set project picklists to view enterprise data.
In order to create a new project you will need to close out of any project you currently have open.
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f. Prime Contracts
g. Invoice Management
h. Field Management
Note that only the packages that are currently licensed are activated and available to be selected.
7) Check the Enterprise Project checkbox if the project is to be included in enterprise reporting.
8) Check the Multi-Currency checkbox if more than one currency will be used when entering costs on the project.
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9) Check the ERP Integration checkbox to enable the ERP Integration feature. This feature enables PRISM data to be transferred to an
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external ERP/Accounting System, as well as have ERP/Accounting System data imported into PRISM . When this feature is enabled,
specific ERP codes need to be entered on a Project. Note that this feature is controlled by a special license option.
10) If you are restoring a project archive into the new project, the following three options are enabled:
a. If you want to restore the Default Groups, check the Include Default Group Data checkbox.
b. If you want to exclude the historical Actuals, check the Exclude Actuals History checkbox.
11) Click OK.
Remove Project
The Remove Project command is used to permanently delete a project from the database. Only Users with Run Process permissions to the
Enterprise can access this command.
In order to remove a project you will need to close out of any project you currently have opened. If you want to retain a backup copy of a
project, you should archive the project (see "Archive" on page 213) prior to removing.
To Remove Projects:
1) Click the PRISM Button.
2) Select Remove Project.
3) Click the desired Project, click Remove, and click Yes and OK to the prompts.
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Project Settings
After creating a project, information about the project is entered into the Project Settings form. This form is accessed from the PRISM Button
and includes general information about the project, the managing company, the client, and the scope of the project. In addition, there are
some Data, Reporting, and Feature options that are set.
You must have Run Processes permissions for the project to enter data in Project Settings.
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The following project information entered in this form is displayed in the report header of project reports:
Project Title
Job Number
Company Name
Client Name
Base Currency
Note the checkboxes for Packages and Options are read-only on the Project Data tab.
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4) Check the Required IDs to be Selected from Pick Lists checkbox if you want to limit the IDs to be only those found in the pick list. This
disables the ability to add a new ID not found in the pick list.
5) Select one of the three Use Of Enterprise Data radio buttons to determine which Enterprise data will be available for a project:
a. None - Enterprise definitions are not available for projects.
b. Groups Only - Enterprise Groups are available for projects.
c. All - Enterprise Groups and Enterprise definitions are available for projects. These definitions include Enterprise Periods,
Enterprise Elements, Change Status, etc.
Note that All is the default setting when new Projects are created.
6) Check the Allow Use of Enterprise Data checkbox if you want enterprise data to be available in pick lists that use both project and
enterprise data.
The Reporting Options tab is used to define report formatting options, including whether periods or commas are used when separating
numeric values in thousands or greater. There is also an option to define Date Formats on Project Reports.
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4) Click the Estimate At Completion Variance Calculation drop-down and select one of the following calculations for how the EAC
Variance will be calculated on Cost and Comparison reports in the Cost Management, Engineering, and Field Management packages.
a. Current-Previous - The Estimate At Completion variance is calculated as the Current EAC minus the Previous EAC.
b. Previous-Current - The Estimate At Completion variance is calculated as the Previous EAC minus the Current EAC.
5) Click the Variance At Completion Calculation drop-down and select one of the following calculations for how the Variance at
Completion will be calculated on the Cost and Comparison reports in the Cost Management, Engineering, and Field Management
packages.
a. Budget-EAC - the Variance at Completion is calculated as the selected Budget minus the Estimate At Completion.
b. EAC-Budget - the Variance at Completion is calculated as the Estimate at Completion minus the selected Budget.
The Feature Options tab indicates several features which are by default, disabled or hidden. By checking a feature, it is enabled. This will
cause panes, forms, or fields associated with this selected feature, to be unhidden and available for use.
Audit Log (on page 250) - tracks data modifications, deletions, additions, and calculations.
Rebaseline Utility (see "Rebaseline" on page 698) - resets the baseline on a project when significant changes render performance
measurement meaningless.
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ERP Integration - enables PRISM data to be coded and transferred to an external ERP/Accounting System using the PRISM ERP
Integration feature.
Advanced Change Management - expands the Change Management functionality.
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SmartPlant Import/Export (see "SmartPlant Materials" on page 678) - imports/exports PRISM data to a file to integrate with the
Intergraph SmartPlant Materials application.
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Note that only the Audit Log feature is used on all PRISM packages. The other features are only used in the Cost Management
package and a few in the Engineering package.
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6) Check the SmartPlant Import/Export checkbox to enable the SmartPlant Materials import/export features. This will unhide three
commands found on the Import/Export tab; Export SmartPlant Control Accounts, Export SmartPlant Schedule Activities, and Import
SmartPlant PO Commitments.
The Change Management tab is unhidden when the Advanced Change Management feature is enabled in the Feature Options tab. Advanced
Change Management can be used at the Enterprise or Project level. If the feature is being used at the Project level, several options can be
enabled and their settings need to be defined. If Advanced Change Management is being used at the Enterprise level, similar settings need to
be defined in the Enterprise Settings (on page 304) form.
The Advanced Change Management feature options include:
Budget/EAC Change Data - Labels for Change and Trend IDs can be automatically generated; allows Users to define a future
Reporting Period in which new Budget/EAC Changes data will be applied.
Budget/EAC Change Email Notifications - generate and send emails to Users identified as Reviewers and Approvers on a Budget/EAC
Change. This feature can only be used if the Review and Approval process is enabled.
Budget/EAC Change Review and Approvals - implements a Review and Approval process for reviewing and approving Budget/EAC
Changes before Change amounts can be added to the budget.
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5) Click the Subject drop-down and select field from the Budget/EAC Change record as the Subject of the email. The data entered in the
selected field on the Change record will appear as the Subject of the email. If the field is left blank on the Budget/EAC Change, the
Subject line of the email will also be blank.
6) Click the Fields button and select the fields from the Budget/EAC Change record to include in the Body of the email. Data entered in
the fields of the Budget/EAC Change record is inserted into the Body of the email.
D = Description
M = Detailed Description
R = Alternate ID
T = Due Date
S = Source
C = Company
I = Schedule Impact
J = Cost Impact
$ = Currency
A = Status
L = Documents
V = Change Value
7) Click in the Default Sender Email box and enter a default Sender's email address, if necessary. If this box is left blank, the emails will
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be sent from the email address of the User who is logged into PRISM at the time emails are generated and sent.
8) Check the Send Review and Approval Emails Directly checkbox to directly send emails to Users/Teams assigned as Reviewers and
Approvers on the Budget/EAC Change record. When this option is checked, emails cannot be previewed or modified. The Review and
Approval process must be enabled.
9) Check the Budget/EAC Changes Review and Approvals checkbox to enable the Review and Approval option for managing
Budget/EAC Changes.
10) Click the Default Review Method drop-down and select a Default Review Method. This Review method will appear in the
Budget/EAC data pane when a Budget/EAC is created, and can be overridden, if necessary.
None - Reviewers are not automatically assigned in the Budget/EAC Changes-Approvals subpane, and the Change does not need
to be reviewed before it can be approved. This is the default method.
Not Required - A list of Reviewers can be generated for the Budget/EAC Change, but the Change does not need to be reviewed
before it can be approved.
Any User - A Change can be reviewed by any User/Team assigned as a Reviewer in the Budget/EAC Changes-Approvals subpane.
The Change must be reviewed by at least one Reviewer before the Budget/EAC Change can be Approved.
All Users - A Change must be reviewed by all Reviewers assigned in the Budget/EAC Change-Approvals subpane before it can be
approved.
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In Sequence - A Change must be reviewed in the sequence that the Reviewers are listed in the Budget/EAC Changes-Approvals
subpane. The order of Reviewers is determined by their Approval Authority, from least to greatest.
11) Click in the Default Approve Method drop-down and select a Default Approve Method. This Approval method will appear in the
Budget/EAC data pane when a Budget/EAC is created, and can be overridden, if necessary. It should be noted that the Change may
also need to be reviewed as well as approved before it can be marked as Approved depending on the Review Method selected and if
any Reviewers are assigned in the Budget/EAC Changes-Approvals subpane.
None - Approvers are not automatically assigned in the Budget/EAC Change-Approvals subpane. The Change does not need to be
approved by a User other than the Change creator. This is the default setting.
Not Required - A list of Approvers can be generated for the Budget/EAC Change, but the Change does not need to be approved
by a User in the Budget/EAC Changes-Approvals subpane. The Change can be approved by the Change creator.
Any User - A Change can be Approved by any Approver assigned in the Budget/EAC Changes/Approvals subpane. The Change
must be approved by at least one Approver before the Budget/EAC Change can be approved.
All Users - A Change must be Approved by all Approvers assigned in the Budget/EAC Changes-Approvals subpane. The Change
cannot be approved until all Approvers have approved and marked the Change as Approved.
In Sequence - A Change must be approved in the sequence the Approvers are listed in the Budget/EAC Changes-Approvals
subpane. The order of Approvers is determined by their Approval Authority, from least to greatest.
First User - A Change can be Approved by the first Approver listed in the Budget/EAC Changes-Approvals subpane. The first User
with sufficient Approval authority can Approve the Change.
12) Check the Users With Sufficient Approval Authority checkbox to filter the list of Reviewers who can review the Budget/EAC Change.
By checking this box, only Users, who are designated as Reviewers AND have an Approval Authority greater than the Change amount,
can be assigned as a Reviewer to the Budget/EAC Change.
13) Check the Users with Insufficient Approval Authority checkbox to filter the list of Reviewers who can review the Budget/EAC Change.
By checking this box, Users who have been assigned as a Reviewer BUT have an Approval Authority less than the Change amount can
be assigned as a Reviewer to the Budget/EAC Change.
Note that if both of these checkboxes are left unchecked, no Reviewers will be added to the Budget/EAC Changes-Approvals
subpane and the Change does not need to be Reviewed before it can be approved. If both boxes are checked, all Users who are
identified as Reviewers will be added to the Budget/EAC Changes-Approvals subpane.
14) The Administrator and the Primary and Secondary Change Owner can override the Review and Approval process. This is done by
checking one of the appropriate Allow Users To Override The Change Approval Process checkboxes. These Users must have at least
Change Management Read Access permissions to override the Review and Approval process.
Note that a User must have at least Change Management Read Access permissions to access Change Management forms
specific to the Advanced Change Management feature.
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Project Narratives
The Project Narratives form is used to maintain textual, image, and web site information about the project. You can enter text directly or you
can link to an external PDF document on your network to describe any of the following topics:
Scope of Work
Progress
Forecast
Safety
Miscellaneous
Excel
HTML
Image
Web Site
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Note that this information is primarily used by the PRISM Dashboard application. There are currently no reports in PRISM
that display this information.
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Archive
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Archiving is the means for creating a copy or backup of the Administration data, Enterprise data, or the data from any PRISM project. This is
an essential process which should be run prior to performing a number of actions, including:
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Upgrading or uninstalling the PRISM software.
Importing Administration, Enterprise, or project data.
Modifying data to perform a "What-if" scenario.
Performing calculations, if the results are uncertain.
Closing the reporting period.
Creating and approving a Performance Measurement Baseline.
Completing monthly progress and performance updates and generating monthly performance reports.
The File Name entered when creating archives must adhere to the following conventions:
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To Archive a Project:
1) Click the PRISM Button.
2) Select Archive Project.
3) Click the Project tab.
4) Click the File Name browse icon, select a Folder Path, enter a File Name, and click Save.
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5) Check each PRISM Package checkbox that you want to archive.
a. Cost Management
b. Engineering
c. Equipment/Materials
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d. Procurement
e. Contracts
f. Prime Contracts
g. Invoice Management
h. Field Management
6) If you want to include the Default Groups in the archived data, check the Include Default Group Data checkbox.
7) If you want to include Field Progressing data in the Import Mobile App Data import feature in the archived data, check the Include
Field Progressing checkbox. This option is only available for projects using the Field Progressing mobile application. If this box is
checked, all data that has been submitted during the current reporting period is archived.
8) If you want to exclude the historical Actuals in the archived data, check the Exclude Actuals History checkbox.
9) Click Archive.
Restore
You can Restore Administration data, Enterprise data, or project data, if the data was previously archived. Essentially this is a process where
the existing data are deleted and replaced with archive data. During the restore, you do have control over the deletion of certain data.
You may need to restore a project for the following reasons:
To replace compromised data.
To create a training project using existing project data.
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To Restore a Project:
1) Click the PRISM Button.
2) Select Restore Project.
3) Click the Project tab.
4) Click the File Name browse icon, select a Folder Path, enter a File Name, and click Save.
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5) Check each PRISM Package checkbox that you want to archive.
a. Cost Management
b. Engineering
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c. Equipment/Materials
d. Procurement
e. Contracts
f. Prime Contracts
g. Invoice Management
h. Field Management
6) If you want to restore the Default Groups, check the Include Default Group Data checkbox.
7) If you want to restore Field Progressing data in the Import Mobile App Data import feature, check the Include Field Progressing
checkbox. This option is only included for projects using the Field Progressing mobile application.
8) If you want to exclude the historical Actuals, check the Exclude Actuals History checkbox.
9) Click Restore.
Purge
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Your PRISM data should be periodically maintained. PRISM makes use of a utility called Purge to perform maintenance, which includes
removing orphaned records, removing records that are not identified to an existing project, and re-indexing the database.
Orphan records, in database terms, are child records that do not have a parent record. Orphans are sometimes created when a record from a
data pane is deleted. Typically, these types of records will have child records which were created in subpanes. An example would be when a
Control Account is deleted; the Period Actual records associated with that Control Account are not automatically deleted. When the database
is purged, these orphaned records are permanently removed.
Although unusual, it is possible to have project records in the database that are not assigned to a project. This is invalid data that could clutter
the database and should be purged.
You must have Run Processes permissions to Purge data. If you are purging project data, you must have the project opened in Exclusive Use
(on page 197) to perform a Purge.
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Administration
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The Administration tab is where the System Administrator can perform administrative actions such as managing the PRISM database,
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assigning Users and permission levels, and managing the Report Library. It is only accessible to PRISM Users who have Administration access.
Data (Administration)
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The Data ribbon group on the Administration tab is where commands for managing PRISM Users and User Permissions are found. It is also
where Roles for users are developed and assigned default permissions and where Users are assigned to Teams.
Users
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PRISM allows the System Administrator to add PRISM Users and assign permission levels to each User. This includes determining who in
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your company can access PRISM and what functions they can access. You can also assign Users to projects and define their permission levels
specific to each project.
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There are four component Permission options, each with a set of Permission Levels settings defined in PRISM . Each of these Permission
options is independent of each other:
Administration - accesses the Administration tab. Typically the System Administrator has access to this tab.
Enterprise - accesses the Enterprise tab.
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All Projects - accesses all PRISM projects. If the User is not granted All Project access then the User must be assigned access to
specific projects and can only perform actions based on the project permission levels granted to the User.
Change Management - accesses Change Management functionality and processes. A User must be assigned specific Change
Management permissions if the Advanced Change Management feature is enabled. If the Advanced Change Management feature is
not enabled, this permission setting has no functionality. If the feature is enabled and the Review and Approval option is being used,
several Users settings must also be defined (see "Users (Advanced Change Management)" on page 229).
Note that if a User is granted access to all projects, and is also assigned access to an individual project in the User-Permissions
subpane, the permission levels assigned in the subpane override the All Projects permission level set in the Users data pane.
There are seven different Permission Levels from which to choose. The lowest level is None, which denies access. Access progressively
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increases to the highest level, Run Processes, which allows complete access to specific PRISM functions. The permission levels are listed
below in successive order, from lowest to highest:
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There are five other permission options that can be enabled for each User giving them extended capabilities:
Import Data - import Administration, Enterprise, or Project data, as long as the component Permissions for Administration,
Enterprise, and/or All Projects (or a specific project) are set to Run Processes.
Exclusive Use - access a Project exclusively, meaning no other User can access the project while that User is in the project. The
component permission for All Projects (or for a specific project) must be set to Run Processes in order for Exclusive Use to be
available.
Report Writer - enables the Enterprise Report Writer and the Project Report Writer. The component permission for Enterprise and/or
for All Projects (or for a specific project) must be set to a minimum of View Reports. The ability to add or delete reports depends on
the component permissions assigned.
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Field Progressing - if the PRISM licensing includes the Field Progressing Mobile application, then this checkbox is enabled, and must
be checked for the User to have access rights and be able to login to the Field Progressing Mobile application. If the User is granted
All Projects access, it will have access to all Field Management projects in Field Progressing and can perform actions based on the All
Projects permission level. If the User is not granted All Project access, then the User must be assigned access to specific Field
Management projects and can only perform actions based on the project permission levels granted to the User.
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Dashboards - if the PRISM licensing includes the PRISM Dashboard application, then the Dashboard drop-down is used to enable
the User's access rights to the Dashboard application. There are three permission levels for the Dashboard:
Standard - accesses the standard functions of the Dashboard; can create Dashboard collections, create User filters
Advanced - accesses the Analysis Grid feature in addition to the Standard permissions
Templates - accesses the ability to create Global Filters and create Dashboard templates that can be accessed by Users. This is in
addition to the Advanced Permissions.
Note that by checking the Snapshots Only checkbox, only Snapshot databases can be viewed by the User. If the checkbox is
unchecked, the User can choose to view either Live or Snapshot data when logging into the Dashboard application.
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Note that only a System Administrator that has Run Processes permission for Administration can modify a User's Component
Permission Level settings or revise these four options.
Temporary Read Only User - restricts access temporarily so data cannot be entered. When this checkbox is enabled, this setting
overrides the User's permission levels and does not allow them to enter data. This feature is useful to ensure that no additional data
for the Reporting Period is entered until the Reporting Period is closed.
A User's Permission Levels are also assigned to each package. A user could be setup with Run Processes access on the Cost Management
package and set to not have access rights to the Procurement package.
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When PRISM is first installed, a single User ID, named ADMINISTRATOR, is created with the password ADMINISTRATOR. By definition, this
User is assigned Run Processes permissions to Administration, Enterprise, and All Projects and the Allow Data Import and Exclusive Use
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options are enabled. The password should be modified after installing PRISM . This User ID cannot be deleted, thus always providing you
with at least one Administrator that can access the system to assign Users and permissions. Additional Administrators can be added as
needed, which makes sense in case one Administrator is unavailable or an Administrator forgets their password.
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Additional Users can be added to PRISM . Each new User is required to have a User ID, which is the PRISM Login ID. Depending on how
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your company implements PRISM , a User may be required to have a Password or it can be left blank. Typically, when a new User is created,
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they are supplied an initial password. The User will then be asked to change their password when they first access PRISM .
If Operating System Authentication (on page 813) is enabled by the System Administrator, then the User ID used when adding new Users
must match a Username as defined in Active Directory. In this case, a Password is not assigned to the User. Instead, when a User logs into
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PRISM , the Active Directory system recognizes the Username and is looking for the User to enter the Password used when logging into
Microsoft Windows. If you have purchased a Named User (see "Named Users (Users)" on page 228) license, then Operating System
Authentication is required.
It is best to include the User’s name and phone number as these are identified in the Online Users (on page 150) form. Additional contact
information can be entered but is reference information only and therefore optional.
Each User who does not have All Project status is assigned to a Default Role which is the type of work a User normally performs (i.e., Project
Controls, Engineer, Project Manager). Default permission levels are pre-defined for each Role (see "Roles" on page 232). When a new project
is assigned to the User, the predefined permission levels are automatically assigned on the project.
To Add Users:
1) Select Administration > Data > Users.
2) Click the Add Record icon.
3) Click in the User ID box and enter a User ID. This is the User's login ID.
a. If Operating System Authentication for Login has been enabled in PRISM Options by the System Administrator, then the User ID
must match a Username in Active Directory (see "Operating System Authentication" on page 813).
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4) Click in the Name box and enter the User’s Full Name. Enter last name first and then first name if the list of Users needs to be sorted
in this manner.
5) If the User is not currently Active, click one of the two radio buttons to define a User's status; Inactive or Terminated.
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a. Inactive - the User cannot login to PRISM . An Inactive User can be re-Activated and added to projects, if necessary. An Inactive
User counts toward the Named Users max.
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b. Terminated - The User is permanently locked out of PRISM and cannot be re-Activated. A Terminated User does not count
toward the Named Users max. This User will remain in the Users form for historical references.
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Note that a Terminated User has its PRISM permissions revoked, which is different from an Employee who is terminated. A
terminated employee can no longer be assigned to Staffing Plans in the Cost Management package.
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6) Click in the Initials box and enter the User’s Initials. This is optional. However, certain PRISM features such as Task Approvals
require User's initials in order to select a User.
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7) Click in the Password box and enter an initial Password. This is optional but necessary to provide security to the PRISM application.
a. If Operating System Authentication for Login has been enabled in PRISM Options by the System Administrator, then the
Password is disabled. This is because the Active Directory Password is used instead.
8) If the User will not be assigned an All Projects permission level, click the Default Role ID drop-down and select a Role. This allows
pre-defined permission levels to be automatically set when a project is assigned to the User.
9) Click in the Office Phone box and enter the User’s Office Phone Number.
10) Click in the Cell Phone box and enter the User’s Cell Phone Number.
11) Click in the Email box and enter the User’s Email Address (optional).
12) Click in the Organization box and enter the User’s Organization (optional).
13) Click in the Location box and enter the User’s Location in the organization (optional).
14) Click in the Responsibility box and enter the User’s Responsibility in the organization (optional).
15) If the User is to access Administration data, click the Administration drop-down and select a Permission Level.
16) If the User is to access Enterprise data, click the Enterprise drop-down and select a Permission Level.
17) If the User is to access every project, click the All Projects drop-down and select a Permission Level.
18) If the User is to access the Advanced Change Management feature, click the Change Management drop-down and select a
Permission Level.
19) Check the Temporary Read Only User checkbox to restrict the User's ability to update data. This feature overrides the User's
permission levels and does not allow them to enter data if checked. This feature is useful to ensure that no additional data for the
Reporting Period is entered until the Reporting Period is closed.
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20) Click the Dashboards drop-down and select one of the three options if the PRISM Dashboard application is being used:
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a. None - the User cannot access the PRISM Dashboard application.
b. Standard - the User can access the Dashboard application but cannot access the Analysis Grid feature.
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c. Advanced - the User can access the Dashboard application including the Analysis Grid feature.
d. Template - the User can access the Dashboard application including creating Global Filters and Dashboard templates in addition
to accessing the Analysis Grid feature.
21) Check the Snapshots Only checkbox to allow Dashboard Users to only access Snapshot Databases. If the box is unchecked, the User
can access either Live or Snapshot data when logging into the Dashboard application.
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Note that the PRISM license file must include a license for the Dashboard application for this checkbox to be enabled.
22) If the User needs the ability to Import Administration, Enterprise, or Project Data, check the Allow Data Import checkbox.
a. The Run Processes component permission must also be selected as set in Steps 14, 15, or 16.
23) If the User needs the capability to access projects exclusively, check the Exclusive Use checkbox.
a. The Run Processes component permission must also be selected for All Projects as set in Step 16.
24) Click in the Change Management group box and defined the following User permissions and processes. These permissions are only
defined if the Advanced Change Management feature is enabled and the Review and Approved option is being implemented on
Budget/EAC Changes. If the Advanced Change Management feature is not being used, the following permissions have no functionality
and need to be disregarded.
25) To change the Default Change Reviewer status, click the Change Reviewer drop-down and select a Change Reviewer status.
a. No - User/Team is not available as a Reviewer.
b. Available - User/Team is available to Review changes, but must be added manually to Budget/EAC Changes. The User/Team
needs to be assigned to a Control Account in the Control Account-Change Approvers subpane. A User/Team can only be
assigned to a Control Account if they are assigned to the Project in the Project-User Change Approvers or Project-Team Change
Approvers subpane. Once assigned to the Control Account, Users/Teams can be copied to the Budget/EAC Changes-Approvals
subpane to take part in the Review and Approval process. Their role in the Review and Approval process is defined by their
Approval Authority (see "Approval Authority (Advanced Change Management)" on page 282), the Change amount, and the
Reviewer options in the Project Settings (on page 202) or Enterprise Settings (on page 304) forms.
c. Default - User/Team will automatically be assigned to any new Control Account and be listed in the Control Accounts-Change
Approvers subpane. They also must be assigned to the Project in the Project-User Change Approvers or Project-Team Change
Approvers subpane. The User/Team can then be copied to the Budget/EAC Change-Approvals subpane using the Generate icon.
Their role in the Review and Approval process is defined by their Approval Authority (see "Approval Authority (Advanced
Change Management)" on page 282), the Change amount, and the Reviewer options in the Project Settings or Enterprise
Settings forms.
It should be noted that based on the Change amount and a Users/Teams' Approval Authority, that a Reviewer assigned to the
Budget/EAC Change could also be an Approver and approve the Change.
26) To change the Default Change Approver status, click the Change Reviewer drop-down and select a Change Approver status.
a. No - User is not available as an Approver.
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b. Available - User is available to Approve changes, but must be added manually. The User needs to be assigned to a Control
Account in the Control Account-Change Approvers subpane. A User can only be assigned to a Control Account if they are
assigned to the Project in the Project-User Change Approvers subpane. Once assigned to the Control Account, they can be
copied to the Budget/EAC Changes-Approvals subpane to take part in the Review and Approval process. Their role in the Review
and Approval process is defined by their Approval Authority (see "Approval Authority (Advanced Change Management)" on
page 282).
c. Default - User will automatically be assigned to any new Control Account created in the Control Accounts-Change Approvers
subpane. They must first be assigned to the Project in the Project-User Change Approvers subpane. The User can then be copied
to the Budget/EAC Change-Approvals subpane using the Generate icon. Their role in the Review and Approval process is defined
by the Change amount and their Approval Authority.
It should be noted that a User who is assigned as an Approver, may not be able to Approve the change based on the Change
amount and their Approval Authority.
27) Check the Allow User to Create Changes For All Projects checkbox to allow Users to create Budget/EAC Changes for Control Accounts
for any Project regardless of the User's permissions.
28) Check the Allow User to Override The Change Approval Process to give the User permission to approve Budget/EAC Changes they
created.
29) Click the Default Approval Authority drop-down and select a default Approval Authority ID.
30) If the User needs the ability to generate or view reports using the Enterprise Report Writer or the Project Report Writer, check the
Report Writer checkbox.
a. The component permission selected and set in Steps 15 and 16 determines the access capabilities the User has with the Report
Writer.
Permission (Users)
Users can be added to any Project. When doing so, the Administrator must determine the Permission Levels (see "Permissions Matrix" on
page 24) for each package that they want to provide them access.
User Permission assigned to a project override the User's All Project's permission assigned in the User's data pane.
There are seven different Permission Levels from which to choose. The lowest level is None, which denies access. Access progressively
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increases to the highest level, Run Processes, which allows complete access to specific PRISM functions. The permission levels are listed
below in successive order, from lowest to highest:
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There are two other permission options; Allow Data Import and Exclusive Use. The Allow Data Import option enables the ability to import
Project data in a Package where the Permission Level is set to Run Processes. The Exclusive Use option enables the ability access a Project
exclusively, meaning no other User can access the project while that User is in the project. The Run Processes permission must be assigned to
a Package in order for Exclusive Use to be available.
You must have Run Processes permissions assigned at the Administration Level in order to set these permissions.
Note that if the User has been assigned a Default Role, then permission levels are automatically set based on the Role's
predefined permissions. You can modify these for any project, if necessary.
6) If the User needs the ability to Import Project Data, check the Allow Data Import checkbox.
a. The Run Processes component permission must also be selected for the packages where importing is to be allowed.
7) If the User needs the capability to access projects exclusively, check the Exclusive Use checkbox.
a. The Run Processes component permission must also be selected for the packages where Exclusive Use is to be allowed.
8) For each package, click the Package drop-down and select a Permission Level.
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a. Only the Packages that are enabled on the project are listed.
Teams (Users)
Once Teams (on page 233) are defined, Users can be assigned to one or more Teams. This is only necessary if you plan on assigning the same
group of Users to multiple projects. This process is typically used when a company has several small projects as opposed to a few large
projects.
Note that if you have purchased a Named User license, then Operating System Authentication (on page 813) is required.
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c. Note that the Equipment/Materials, Invoice Management, and Prime Contracts packages are NOT included. This is because these
packages are not sold as separate packages but are provided when certain packages are purchased.
The Approver option is only for Cost Management projects that are using the Review and Approval process as part of the
Advanced Change Management feature in the Cost Management package. This option should NOT be used in conjunction with
the Cost Management package. The Approver option will override the Cost Management functionality and limit Users to only
the forms available that pertain to the Review and Approval process. It should also be noted that if this option is checked, the
permissions defined for the User in the Permissions group box of the Users form, with the exception of the Administration
permissions, are not applicable.
4) As packages are enabled, the number of licenses Used for each package is displayed in the User Summary group box. In addition, the
total number of Licensed packages is also displayed. This allows you to determine how many licenses are remaining to be assigned to
a User.
If the Review and Approval option for the Advanced Change Management feature is not enabled, the Change Management
permissions and options will not have any functionality and should be disregarded.
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b. Available - User/Team is available to Review changes, but must be added manually to Budget/EAC Changes. The User/Team
needs to be assigned to a Control Account in the Control Account-Change Approvers subpane. A User/Team can only be
assigned to a Control Account if they are assigned to the Project in the Project-User Change Approvers or Project-Team Change
Approvers subpane. Once assigned to the Control Account, Users/Teams can be copied to the Budget/EAC Changes-Approvals
subpane to take part in the Review and Approval process. Their role in the Review and Approval process is defined by their
Approval Authority (see "Approval Authority (Advanced Change Management)" on page 282), the Change amount, and the
Reviewer options in the Project Settings (on page 202) or Enterprise Settings (on page 304) forms.
c. Default - User/Team will automatically be assigned to any new Control Account and be listed in the Control Accounts-Change
Approvers subpane. They also must be assigned to the Project in the Project-User Change Approvers or Project-Team Change
Approvers subpane. The User/Team can then be copied to the Budget/EAC Change-Approvals subpane using the Generate icon.
Their role in the Review and Approval process is defined by their Approval Authority (see "Approval Authority (Advanced
Change Management)" on page 282), the Change amount, and the Reviewer options in the Project Settings or Enterprise
Settings forms.
It should be noted that based on the Change amount and a Users/Teams' Approval Authority, that a Reviewer assigned to the
Budget/EAC Change could also be an Approver and approve the Change.
3) Click the Default Change Approver drop-down and select a default Change Approver status.
a. No - User is not available as an Approver.
b. Available - User is available to Approve changes, but must be added manually. The User needs to be assigned to a Control
Account in the Control Account-Change Approvers subpane. A User can only be assigned to a Control Account if they are
assigned to the Project in the Project-User Change Approvers subpane. Once assigned to the Control Account, they can be
copied to the Budget/EAC Changes-Approvals subpane to take part in the Review and Approval process. Their role in the Review
and Approval process is defined by their Approval Authority (see "Approval Authority (Advanced Change Management)" on
page 282).
c. Default - User will automatically be assigned to any new Control Account created in the Control Accounts-Change Approvers
subpane. They must first be assigned to the Project in the Project-User Change Approvers subpane. The User can then be copied
to the Budget/EAC Change-Approvals subpane using the Generate icon. Their role in the Review and Approval process is defined
by the Change amount and their Approval Authority.
It should be noted that a User who is assigned as an Approver, may not be able to Approve the change based on the Change
amount and their Approval Authority.
4) Check the Allow User to Create Changes For All Projects checkbox to allow the User to create Budget/EAC Changes for all projects.
The User must have at least Change Management Read Data permissions. This option only functions if the Changes are being made at
the Enterprise level.
5) Check the Allow User To Override The Change Approval Process to allow the User to Approve Budget/EAC Changes. The User must
have at least Change Management Read Data permissions to perform this function.
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6) Click the Default Approval Authority ID drop-down and select a default Approval Authority ID (see "Approval Authority (Advanced
Change Management)" on page 282).
Note that this subpane will be disabled if the Advanced Change Management feature is disabled.
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c. Default - User/Team will automatically be assigned to any new Control Account and be listed in the Control Accounts-Change
Approvers subpane. They also must be assigned to the Project in the Project-User Change Approvers or Project-Team Change
Approvers subpane. The User/Team can then be copied to the Budget/EAC Change-Approvals subpane using the Generate icon.
Their role in the Review and Approval process is defined by their Approval Authority (see "Approval Authority (Advanced
Change Management)" on page 282), the Change amount, and the Reviewer options in the Project Settings or Enterprise
Settings forms.
It should be noted that based on the Change amount and a Users/Teams' Approval Authority, that a Reviewer assigned to the
Budget/EAC Change could also be an Approver and approve the Change.
8) To change the Change Approver status, click the Change Approver drop-down and select an alternate Change Approver status, if
necessary.
a. No - User is not available as an Approver.
b. Available - User is available to Approve changes, but must be added manually. The User needs to be assigned to a Control
Account in the Control Account-Change Approvers subpane. A User can only be assigned to a Control Account if they are
assigned to the Project in the Project-User Change Approvers subpane. Once assigned to the Control Account, they can be
copied to the Budget/EAC Changes-Approvals subpane to take part in the Review and Approval process. Their role in the Review
and Approval process is defined by their Approval Authority (see "Approval Authority (Advanced Change Management)" on
page 282).
c. Default - User will automatically be assigned to any new Control Account created in the Control Accounts-Change Approvers
subpane. They must first be assigned to the Project in the Project-User Change Approvers subpane. The User can then be copied
to the Budget/EAC Change-Approvals subpane using the Generate icon. Their role in the Review and Approval process is defined
by the Change amount and their Approval Authority.
It should be noted that a User who is assigned as an Approver, may not be able to Approve the change based on the Change
amount and their Approval Authority.
Roles
Roles refer to the normal type of work or function a User performs in your company. As an example, you may have roles for Project Controls,
Engineering, and Project Management. Typically, Users performing the same Role are assigned the same permissions.
You can define a default set of Project Permissions for each Role. Project Permissions define the level of access a User has on a specific
project.
Once Roles are defined, a Role can then be assigned to a User. Whenever a User is added to a new project, the pre-defined Project
Permissions are automatically assigned to the User based on the User's Role.
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To Add Roles:
1) Select Administration > Data > Roles.
2) Click the Add Record icon.
3) Click in the Default Role ID cell in the new row and enter a Role ID.
4) Click in the Description cell and enter a Role Description.
5) Check the Exclusive Use checkbox, if the User needs exclusive use of a project to perform certain functions.
6) Check the Import Data checkbox, if the User needs to import data into a project.
7) Click each Package Permission drop-down and select a Permission Level.
Note that the User Permissions (see "Permission (Users)" on page 226) topic describes these permission levels in further
details.
Teams
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Teams are used to identify groups of PRISM Users who normally work together from one project to another. Usually, this occurs when a
company has several small projects as opposed to a few large projects.
Once a Team is defined, Users can be assigned to a Team. Subsequently, a Team can be assigned to a new project. This causes the group of
Users to be automatically added to the project and eliminates the need to assign Users, one-by-one.
To Add Teams:
1) Select Administration > Data > Teams.
2) Click the Add Record icon.
3) Click in the Team ID box and enter a Team ID.
4) Click in the Description box and enter a Team Description.
Users (Teams)
Users are assigned to a Team so that Teams can be assigned to projects as opposed to assigning individual Users one at a time.
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If the Review and Approval option for the Advanced Change Management feature is not enabled, the Change Management
permissions and options will not have any functionality and should be disregarded.
To Add Teams:
1) Select Administration > Data > Teams.
2) Click the Add Record icon.
3) Click in the Team ID box and enter a Team ID.
4) Click in the Description box and enter a Team Description.
5) Click the Default Change Reviewer drop-down and select a default Change Reviewer status.
a. No - User/Team is not available as a Reviewer.
b. Available - User/Team is available to Review changes, but must be added manually to Budget/EAC Changes. The User/Team
needs to be assigned to a Control Account in the Control Account-Change Approvers subpane. A User/Team can only be
assigned to a Control Account if they are assigned to the Project in the Project-User Change Approvers or Project-Team Change
Approvers subpane. Once assigned to the Control Account, Users/Teams can be copied to the Budget/EAC Changes-Approvals
subpane to take part in the Review and Approval process. Their role in the Review and Approval process is defined by their
Approval Authority (see "Approval Authority (Advanced Change Management)" on page 282), the Change amount, and the
Reviewer options in the Project Settings (on page 202) or Enterprise Settings (on page 304) forms.
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c. Default - User/Team will automatically be assigned to any new Control Account and be listed in the Control Accounts-Change
Approvers subpane. They also must be assigned to the Project in the Project-User Change Approvers or Project-Team Change
Approvers subpane. The User/Team can then be copied to the Budget/EAC Change-Approvals subpane using the Generate icon.
Their role in the Review and Approval process is defined by their Approval Authority (see "Approval Authority (Advanced
Change Management)" on page 282), the Change amount, and the Reviewer options in the Project Settings or Enterprise
Settings forms.
It should be noted that based on the Change amount and a Users/Teams' Approval Authority, that a Reviewer assigned to the
Budget/EAC Change could also be an Approver and approve the Change.
6) Click the Default Change Approver drop-down and select a default Change Approver status.
a. No - User is not available as an Approver.
b. Available - User is available to Approve changes, but must be added manually. The User needs to be assigned to a Control
Account in the Control Account-Change Approvers subpane. A User can only be assigned to a Control Account if they are
assigned to the Project in the Project-User Change Approvers subpane. Once assigned to the Control Account, they can be
copied to the Budget/EAC Changes-Approvals subpane to take part in the Review and Approval process. Their role in the Review
and Approval process is defined by their Approval Authority (see "Approval Authority (Advanced Change Management)" on
page 282).
c. Default - User will automatically be assigned to any new Control Account created in the Control Accounts-Change Approvers
subpane. They must first be assigned to the Project in the Project-User Change Approvers subpane. The User can then be copied
to the Budget/EAC Change-Approvals subpane using the Generate icon. Their role in the Review and Approval process is defined
by the Change amount and their Approval Authority.
It should be noted that a User who is assigned as an Approver, may not be able to Approve the change based on the Change
amount and their Approval Authority.
7) Click the Default Approval Authority ID drop-down and select a default Approval Authority ID (see "Approval Authority (Advanced
Change Management)" on page 282).
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Note that this subpane will be disabled if the Advanced Change Management feature is disabled.
8) To change the Change Approver status, click the Change Approver drop-down and select a Change Approver status.
a. No - User is not available as an Approver.
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b. Available - User is available to Approve changes, but must be added manually. The User needs to be assigned to a Control
Account in the Control Account-Change Approvers subpane. A User can only be assigned to a Control Account if they are
assigned to the Project in the Project-User Change Approvers subpane. Once assigned to the Control Account, they can be
copied to the Budget/EAC Changes-Approvals subpane to take part in the Review and Approval process. Their role in the Review
and Approval process is defined by their Approval Authority (see "Approval Authority (Advanced Change Management)" on
page 282).
c. Default - User will automatically be assigned to any new Control Account created in the Control Accounts-Change Approvers
subpane. They must first be assigned to the Project in the Project-User Change Approvers subpane. The User can then be copied
to the Budget/EAC Change-Approvals subpane using the Generate icon. Their role in the Review and Approval process is defined
by the Change amount and their Approval Authority.
It should be noted that a User who is assigned as an Approver, may not be able to Approve the change based on the Change
amount and their Approval Authority.
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Database
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PRISM supports Microsoft SQL Server versions 2008, 2008 R2, 2012, and Oracle 11g or higher as back-end databases. An enterprise should
maintain a single Database instance or schema for each deployment environment.
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Client Workstations running PRISM must have the capability to connect to whichever database engine is selected. If Oracle is used as a
back-end database, then the Oracle Instant Client utilities must be installed. If Microsoft SQL Server is selected, then nothing additional is
required.
Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Core Edition None Purchased separately; good for larger number of concurrent users and network distributions
Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2 None Purchased separately; good for larger number of concurrent users and network distributions
Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2 Express 10 GB Available to download from Microsoft (http://www.microsoft.com/)
Microsoft SQL Server 2012 None Purchased separately; good for larger number of concurrent users and network distributions
Compatible with Windows 7 and newer; Available to download from Microsoft
Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Express 10 GB
(http://www.microsoft.com/)
Microsoft SQL Server 2014 None Purchased separately; good for larger number of concurrent users and network distributions
Microsoft SQL Sever 2014 Express 10 GB Available do download from Microsoft
Oracle 11g or higher None Purchased separately; good for larger number of concurrent users and network distributions
Oracle Database 11g Express Edition 4 GB Available to download from Oracle.
Connect
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A PRISM Database contains the project data for every project in the database, all data for the enterprise, and the administration data
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including the list of PRISM Users identified in the database. PRISM includes a Connect form that is used to:
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Setup a PRISM database
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Establish a connection between PRISM and the database
Test the database connection
Upgrade or repair the database
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Load the PRISM license file to the proper file location
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Note that much of this is performed at the time when PRISM is first installed.
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a. Click in the SID box and enter a unique Service Identifier which is the Oracle database name.
b. Click in the Host Computer box and enter the Oracle Host String which is the Machine Name or the IP Address.
c. Click in the Schema box and enter an existing Schema Name that will host the database objects.
Note that during the initial setup the Snapshot Oracle schema must be given DBA rights. This is required in order to grant
appropriate table permissions which enabled communication between the application schema and snapshot schema. This can
be revoked after the initial snapshot has been set up.
d. Click in the Password box and enter the Schema User's Password.
4) Click Next and then click Done once the setup is completed.
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a. Upgrades to the database are automatically done when installing application updates.
b. There should be no reason to use this feature unless PRISM Support requests that you run the upgrade.
14) Click OK.
Snapshots
Project data is generally in a live or incomplete state while a project is being statused. Once statusing is updated for the month, there is a
short period of time when data is complete. The Project Snapshot feature is used to generate a copy of any project’s data in its complete
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state. A snapshot of a project's data can be viewed using Enterprise Reports or Project Reports or through the PRISM Dashboard application.
A Snapshot Database must first be created by the System Administrator from the Application Server before Project Snapshots can be included
in the Database. Typically, a Snapshot Database is created for each Reporting Period.
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a. Click in the SID box and enter a unique Service Identifier which is the Oracle database name.
b. Click in the Host Computer box and enter the Oracle Host String which is the Machine Name or the IP Address.
c. Click in the Schema box and enter an existing Schema Name that will host the database objects.
Note that during the initial setup the Snapshot Oracle schema must be given DBA rights. This is required in order to grant
appropriate table permissions which enabled communication between the application schema and snapshot schema. This can
be revoked after the initial snapshot has been set up.
d. Click in the Password box and enter the Schema User's Password.
4) Click Next and then click Done once the setup is completed.
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Reports Library
The Reports Library is used to add custom reports, delete or hide reports, and to reorder the Reports menu. It comes pre-loaded with all of
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the standard PRISM reports. You can use the Report Writer to create your own customized reports and then add them to the Reports
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Library, making them available to PRISM Users through the Project or Enterprise Reports panes.
Some companies may have the need for highly customized reports. ARES Project Management LLC can create those custom reports with
minimal costs, while adding the options and flexibility found in our standard reports. When adding a custom report developed by ARES Project
Management LLC, you are provided instructions to aid the installation process. They define how to configure the new Reports Library record
you are required to create.
When creating a new Report you must define several items. The Report Title is the title that appears in the Report Header. It is also used as
the title in the Reports menu if the Menu Prompt is left blank. The sequence of how the reports are displayed in the Reports menu is
determined by an alphanumeric sort of the Report ID. If you would like to change the sequence, you can apply a Sort Code to each record in
the Reports Library. Reports are either available to all projects or can be restricted to one project only. Specific reports can be Hidden so that
no one has access to them. This is a way to reduce the reports on the Report menu to just those reports your company has standardized.
There are certain reports that only make sense for Enterprise reporting and certain reports that only make sense for project reporting. There
is an option to make reports available for use only for the Enterprise, only for Projects, or for both.
WARNING: Please use caution when adding or modifying records in the Reports Library. Erroneous entries may inactivate key
reporting features.
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P6 Connection
The information necessary to connect to a Primavera P6 database can be assigned at the Administration level as opposed to a project User
entering this data in the Import Primavera P6 form. This information is entered at the Administration level because your company may want
to keep this database connection data confidential. Therefore, the P6 Connection feature ensures the connection information is secure and
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inaccessible to the Enterprise and Project Users, while still allowing them to import P6 data to PRISM .
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MS Project Connection
The URL address to connect to the Microsoft Project web service can be assigned at the Administration level as opposed to a project User
entering this data in the Import MS Project Server import. This ensures the connection has been tested and cannot be altered on the project.
When a URL address is entered and has been tested, the list of projects available in the web service can be viewed.
Note that the MS Project Server uses Microsoft Integrated Security for controlling access to projects to import.
Audit Log
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As changes are being made to the PRISM data, each change can be logged. The Audit Log feature provides a mechanism for determining the
following information on each change:
What project, and specifically, what table and field was affected
What action was performed
How was the data changed
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Note that currently, the Audit Log does not keep track of the use of Utilities or Calculations.
The Audit Log system is only accessible to Users with Administration access. In addition, it is not operable until at least one project has been
enabled to use the Audit Log. This option is found in the Project Settings (on page 202) form.
There are a number of settings that are used to filter and define how Audit Log records are displayed. The Start and End Dates allow users to
filter the record set on a particular period of time. Administration and Enterprise data can be displayed or not displayed using the Include
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Enterprise option. By default, the Audit Log records displayed are those pertaining to the User who opened the session of PRISM . However,
there is the Include All Users option that is used to display all Audit Log records no matter which User generated the record. In addition, you
can choose to summarize or group the Audit Log records by the Table Name and/or by the Field Name. The Summary by Table and Summary
by Field options allow Audit Log records to be either consolidated into a few groups or into several groups, depending on the selections
chosen.
As these settings are defined, a list of Audit Log Groups is displayed in the Selection grid. Once one or more of these Audit Log Groups are
chosen, then the underlying Audit Log records can be displayed.
The Audit Log records are displayed in a preview screen. This screen indicates the date and time of the change, the project that was affected,
the User who made the change, the table and field that was affected, the specific action that was taken, and the specific data that was
changed, such as the ID of a record that was updated or inserted. The data in this preview screen can be filtered, sorted, group, printed, and
exported in order to quickly locate specific log records.
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3) Click the End Date drop-down and select the Date of the newest audit record to be displayed.
4) Check the Include Enterprise checkbox to display log records affecting Administration and Enterprise data.
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5) Check the Include All Users checkbox to display log records from every PRISM User. By default, this is unchecked, which only
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displays log records for the User that is logged into PRISM .
6) Check the Summary by Table checkbox to group Audit Log records by the various Tables in the selection grid. When disabled, the log
records are grouped by Project and User only, unless the Summary by Field option is enabled.
7) Check the Summary by Field checkbox to log group records by the various Field Names. When disabled, the log records are grouped
by Project and User only, unless the Summary by Table option is enabled.
8) Once Items 4 through 7 are set, a list of Audit Log Groups is displayed. Check the Select checkbox for one or more Audit Log Groups to
be displayed.
9) Click OK. The Audit Log Preview form displays the audit log records.
Tools (Administration)
The Tools ribbon group in the Administration tab is where options and settings are defined that affect forms and processes associated with
Administration.
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Administration Settings
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In the About PRISM form, there is a default email address that is displayed for contacting PRISM Support through ARES Project
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Management LLC. The Administrator may want PRISM Users to contact them or another entity within their company first, rather than
directly contacting ARES Project Management LLC. The default email address can be changed by entering an Alternate Support Email address.
There is an option that is available to the Administrator only, which enables the Operating System Authentication (on page 813). This option
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causes the Login system to use the Username and Password entered into Active Directory to be used when logging into PRISM . The
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Administrator can also enable an option that allows a User to login into PRISM without having to enter their Username and Password. An
additional option lets Users login as different user if the Username and Password fails. If this option is enabled the different User only has
access to the Administration features.
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When the PRISM application is open, it will automatically shut down after a pre-defined duration. The Administrator can change the
Inactivity Timeout duration from 15 minutes up to 4 hours by selecting a system-defined duration. They can also disable this feature by
selecting the Never option.
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There is also an option available for the Administrator to require Users to enter a Complex Password when logging into PRISM as a means
for further security for each User.
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5) Click in the Alternative Support Email box and enter an Email Address to replace the default Support Email Address for PRISM that
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is displayed in the About PRISM form.
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6) Check the Prevent Emails From Sending Attachments checkbox to not allow auto-generated emails by PRISM to send Attachments.
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7) Click one of the Dashboard Version radio buttons, and select the Dashboard version that you currently using for your PRISM
instance.
8) Click OK.
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Enterprise
The Enterprise tab is where an Enterprise User defines definitions and standards for the enterprise, creates new projects, and maintains the
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lists of employees and cost categories. It is only accessible to PRISM Users who have Enterprise access.
Data (Enterprise)
The Data ribbon group on the Enterprise tab is where commands for managing projects and defining user permissions on individual projects
are found. In addition, you can find commands for developing Category and Employee lists used in resource planning.
Projects
The Projects data pane is used to view the current project options and redefine them as necessary.
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PRISM Packages - select which packages will be used on the project. The packages available are dependent on which PRISM
packages are purchased and if the product license is current.
Hide - the project is hidden to Users who do not have Enterprise access. A hidden project will not be displayed in the Open Projects
form or the Recent Projects list on the PRISM Button menu.
Closed - the project is accessible but only in a read-only format. Typically, this is done when the project is complete and you do not
plan on adding or modifying the project data.
Enterprise Project - the project is included in enterprise reporting.
Multi-Currency - project costs can be entered using various currencies on the project.
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b. Engineering
c. Equipment/Materials
d. Procurement
e. Contracts
f. Prime Contracts
g. Invoice Management
h. Field Management
8) Check the Hide checkbox so Users cannot open or report the project.
9) Check the Closed checkbox if the project is complete or final and project data should not be changed.
10) Check the Enterprise Project checkbox to allow the project to be included in enterprise reports.
11) Check the Multi-Currency checkbox to enable Multi-currency features for the project.
b. When prompted, enter a Project Group Description. The Group ID and Description are automatically added to the Project Group
table.
You can independently add Users to the project or you can assign a predefined Team of Users to the project.
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9) The Permission Level for each Package can be modified, click any of the Package's Permission Level drop-down and select a
Permission Level.
Note that the User Permissions (see "Permission (Users)" on page 226) topic describes these permission levels in further details.
Note that this subpane will be disabled if the Advanced Change Management feature is disabled.
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c. Default - User/Team will automatically be assigned to any new Control Account and be listed in the Control Accounts-Change
Approvers subpane. They also must be assigned to the Project in the Project-User Change Approvers or Project-Team Change
Approvers subpane. The User/Team can then be copied to the Budget/EAC Change-Approvals subpane using the Generate icon.
Their role in the Review and Approval process is defined by their Approval Authority (see "Approval Authority (Advanced
Change Management)" on page 282), the Change amount, and the Reviewer options in the Project Settings or Enterprise
Settings forms.
It should be noted that based on the Change amount and a Users/Teams' Approval Authority, that a Reviewer assigned to the
Budget/EAC Change could also be an Approver and approve the Change.
To change the Change Approver status, click the Change Approver drop-down and select an alternate Change Approver status, if necessary.
a. No - User is not available as an Approver.
b. Available - User is available to Approve changes, but must be added manually. The User needs to be assigned to a Control
Account in the Control Account-Change Approvers subpane. A User can only be assigned to a Control Account if they are
assigned to the Project in the Project-User Change Approvers subpane. Once assigned to the Control Account, they can be
copied to the Budget/EAC Changes-Approvals subpane to take part in the Review and Approval process. Their role in the Review
and Approval process is defined by their Approval Authority (see "Approval Authority (Advanced Change Management)" on
page 282).
c. Default - User will automatically be assigned to any new Control Account created in the Control Accounts-Change Approvers
subpane. They must first be assigned to the Project in the Project-User Change Approvers subpane. The User can then be copied
to the Budget/EAC Change-Approvals subpane using the Generate icon. Their role in the Review and Approval process is defined
by the Change amount and their Approval Authority.
It should be noted that a User who is assigned as an Approver, may not be able to Approve the change based on the Change
amount and their Approval Authority.
Note that this subpane will be disabled if the Advanced Change Management feature is disabled.
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8) To change the Change Approver status, click the Change Approver drop-down and select an alternate Change Approver status, if
necessary.
a. No - User is not available as an Approver.
b. Available - User is available to Approve changes, but must be added manually. The User needs to be assigned to a Control
Account in the Control Account-Change Approvers subpane. A User can only be assigned to a Control Account if they are
assigned to the Project in the Project-User Change Approvers subpane. Once assigned to the Control Account, they can be
copied to the Budget/EAC Changes-Approvals subpane to take part in the Review and Approval process. Their role in the Review
and Approval process is defined by their Approval Authority (see "Approval Authority (Advanced Change Management)" on
page 282).
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c. Default - User will automatically be assigned to any new Control Account created in the Control Accounts-Change Approvers
subpane. They must first be assigned to the Project in the Project-User Change Approvers subpane. The User can then be copied
to the Budget/EAC Change-Approvals subpane using the Generate icon. Their role in the Review and Approval process is defined
by the Change amount and their Approval Authority.
It should be noted that a User who is assigned as an Approver, may not be able to Approve the change based on the Change
amount and their Approval Authority.
Employees
The Employees data pane is used to define a list of employees for the enterprise. The list is used for Staffing Plans and for assigning
employees to Period Actuals records. Subcontractor employees can be included in this list.
Besides entering contact information, employees are also assigned to a Labor Category defined in the Categories (see "Enterprise Categories"
on page 275) data pane. If Cost Plus contracts are used for planning purposes, then Bare Cost Rates are also applied to each Employee in the
Rates by Reporting Period subpane.
Note that Bare Cost Rates do not have to be the employee's bare cost. They could include some or all of the indirect multipliers.
Whichever rate is used, it must be consistent with the Indirect Cost Multiplier assigned to the Labor Category.
If an employee is no longer employed with the company, an option to indicate an employee's Termination Date is included. This ensures the
employee is not available for adding to a project in future staffing plans.
To Enter Employees:
1) Select Enterprise > Data > Employees.
2) Click the Add Record icon.
3) Click in the Employee ID box and enter an Employee ID. This could be the Employee ID provided by the company or some alternative,
which could be used to project actual Employee IDs.
4) Click in the Name box and enter the Employee's Name.
5) Click in the Position box and enter the Employee's Position (optional).
6) Click in the Phone box and enter the Employee's Phone Number (optional).
7) Click in the Location box and enter the Employee's Location (optional).
8) Click in the Email box and enter the Employee's Email Address (optional).
9) To terminate an Employee, click in the Termination Date box and enter the Date the employee was terminated.
a. Terminated Employees cannot be added to Staffing Plans.
10) Click the Category ID drop-down and select a Labor Category.
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11) If the project uses Multi-currency and the Bare Cost Rate uses a currency other than the Base Rate, click the Currency drop-down and
select a Currency.
a. This field is disabled if the project is not setup to be a Multi-currency project.
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b. If this selection is left blank then PRISM assumes the currency to be the Base Currency defined in the Project Settings form.
c. The Currency ID cannot be changed once the Category is used to create Budget Plans or ETC Plans.
Projects (Employees)
The Employees-Projects subpane is a read-only pane that indicates every project that an Employee is assigned to within Staff Planning.
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Shared (Enterprise)
The Shared ribbon group on the Enterprise tab is where commands are found that are used to define standards and definitions for the
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enterprise. These enterprise definitions are available for use on projects, no matter which PRISM package is enabled.
Developing these lists of enterprise standards and definitions is necessary if you want to use data from multiple projects to generate
Enterprise reports.
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Enterprise Periods
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Every project is periodically tracked, monitored, and measured in PRISM from the start of the project to its completion. Performance
measurement typically occurs at least once a month and on some projects weekly. Each project must be assigned Reporting Periods (on page
593), which are generally based on the company's financial calendar.
In order to generate Enterprise reports, which are reports that combine two or more projects, Enterprise Periods must be established. The
Enterprise Periods should range from the earliest projects' start date to months or years past the latest projects' finish date. Although you can
update the Enterprise Periods to expand the out years, it makes sense to define a finish date that will accommodate future projects.
Each project's Reporting Periods are cross-referenced to Enterprise Periods. This ensures that time-phased project data relates to Enterprise
Periods, which could be very different from the project's Reporting Periods.
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The easiest way to create the Enterprise Periods is to let PRISM calculate them. There is some specific information that PRISM needs in
order to perform the calculation:
Base Date - the first day of the first reporting period.
Periods - the number of periods that will calculate a range or periods in which all the current and expected projects will be included.
Duration - the length of each period:
1 week, 2 weeks, 4 weeks, 4-4-5 weeks
1 month, 2 months, 3 months
Base Calendar - used for calculating Full-time Equivalents (FTE) Hours for Enterprise reports.
Hours per Day - the average number of hours worked each work day; the default is 8 hours.
Non Work Days - the days of the week that are always non work days; the default is Saturday and Sunday.
Non Work Dates - specific dates each month, other than the standard Non Work Days, that are non work dates.
Once the calculation is performed the Enterprise Periods are created along with the following information for each period:
Start Date - first start date is the Base Date, subsequent start dates are the day after each period's finish date.
Finish Date - finish dates are calculated based on the selected duration.
Period Title - as an example, Jan '11.
FTE Hours - work days in an Enterprise Period multiplied by hours per day.
FTEs or Full-time Equivalents is a term used to describe an equivalent number of full-time people working on projects. FTEs are only
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calculated in certain reports and graphs in PRISM by dividing hours in an Enterprise Period by the Enterprise Period's FTE hours. For
instance, if the planned hours were 2000 and the actual hours were 2400 for the period and the Reporting Period FTE hours are 200,
meaning one full-time person would work 200 hours in that period then the following calculations would be made to determine the
FTEs.
Planned FTEs = 2000 hours / 200 FTE hours = 10.0 FTEs
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After Enterprise Periods are defined, you can lock a range of Periods so that they are not inadvertently recalculated. For instance, if you
wanted to add more periods but you planned on using a different Duration Type, by locking the previously defined Enterprise Periods, these
periods will not be affected by the new calculation.
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PRISM allows you to combine Enterprise Periods so you can easily see your entire project on one page. For instance, if the project's
reporting periods are defined by weeks, you can combine weeks into months. Monthly periods can be combined into quarters, half years, full
years, or even bienniums. For example, you might define the first quarter of 2010 by entering 1Q 10 in the March 2010 cell. If January 2010 is
the first Enterprise Period or if another title was defined in December 2009, then this means January, February, and March periods can be
combined into one Enterprise Period when generating reports.
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PRISM provides two columns in the Enterprise Periods form for Combined Periods, which allows you to create two separate ways in which
to combine periods of data in Enterprise Reports. You can enter a Combined Label for each column to describe the Combined Periods. For
instance, you might combine time phased data into Quarters, thus you would label the Combined Periods as such. When generating time
phased reports or graphs, you will find a selection in the Report Specification form to show time phased data by Periods or by either of the
Combined Periods.
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Enterprise Elements
Enterprise Elements are used to categorize the types of Cost, Hours, and Quantities that are tracked in the Enterprise. Enterprise Elements
are cross-referenced to Control Elements, which are sub-elements of Control Accounts and Budget Details. Most projects track multiple
elements of Cost such as labor, materials, equipment, and subcontracts. On a few occasions, projects track more than one type of Hours. For
instance, contractor hours and owner hours can be tracked separately on a single Control Account. On rare occasions, a project can track
multiple types of Quantities. As an example, a Control Account may be used to separately track quantities for lineal feet of pipe and for
numbers of pipe hangers.
Enterprise Elements are necessary to generate Enterprise reports which display Control Element data.
The Enterprise Element ID is used to sort Enterprise Elements on reports based on the alphanumeric values. You can control the sort order of
Enterprise Elements using one of two methods. One method is to use a combination of numbers and letters to identify the Enterprise
Elements. For example, to show labor before equipment, use 1L for labor and 2E for equipment. The other method is to add alphanumeric
values to the Sort Code field for each Enterprise Element ID.
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Enterprise Currencies
The Enterprise Currencies data pane is where the list of Currencies for the Enterprise is maintained. In addition, the current Exchange Rate
used for Budget, Actual, and Estimate to Complete costs is entered for each Enterprise Currency. The Enterprise Currencies and Exchange
Rates can be copied to the project Currencies (on page 601) at any time. This allows projects to standardize Currencies and Exchange Rates. If
need be, a project can deviate from this standard.
An Enterprise Base Currency (see "Enterprise Settings" on page 304) must be established for the Enterprise. The Exchange Rate for this
currency is defined as one-to-one. All other Currencies are defined as a ratio of the Enterprise Base Currency over the Foreign Currency.
Actual Exchange Rates can be defined for each Enterprise Period. This is only used in Enterprise Reporting if Project Actual Exchange Rates do
not exist for Projects included in the Enterprise Report.
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Document Types
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The Document Types data pane is used to identify categories of documents. You will find in certain places in PRISM that a document can be
entered or assigned. At the same time, the document can be categorized by selecting a Document Type. This list of Document Types is defined
at the Enterprise level. Document Types are then assigned to project documents. A filter can then be applied in certain forms and picklists to
limit the documents displayed by the Document Type selected.
Each Document Type can be assigned to a Document Group. The Document Group is a system-defined list which includes:
Drawing
Process Flow Diagram
General Arrangement
Piping and Instrumentation
Specification
Requisition
Task
Other
In some drop-downs where a document is being selected, the list of documents available in the drop-down is based on the Document Group.
For instance, Installed Equipment from the Equipment/Materials package includes links to Specifications. When selecting the Specification
drop-down in the Installed Equipment data pane, only Engineering Documents that are assigned to a Document Type that is defined as a
Specification Document Group will be displayed in the drop-down.
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1 3 2.5 1250
2 4 3.3 1650
3 6 5.0 2500
4 7 5.8 2900
5 13 10.8 5400
6 17 14.2 7100
7 25 20.8 10,500
8 22 18.3 9150
9 13 10.8 5400
10 10 8.3 4150
Total 120 100 50,000
TPD Curves are assigned to Control Accounts, Engineering Accounts, or Progress Accounts. A different distribution curve can be assigned to
the Baseline Budget, Approved Budget, Control Budget, and the Estimate to Complete. Total Budgets and total Estimate to Complete values
are spread across time using algorithms associated with the TPD Curve selected.
TPD Curves can be entered at the Enterprise level, allowing multiple projects to use the same curves. Alternatively, project TPD Curves can be
created specifically for a project.
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Change Status
The Change Status form is used to define a selection of Change Status codes and how each status impacts a Control Account, Engineering
Account, or Progress Account's Approved Budget, Control Budget, Financial Budget, or Estimate at Completion when the Accounts are
calculated. It affects the Approved Budget and Pending Values on Engineering Documents and Progress Items. It also affects the Approved and
Pending Hours and Cost on Purchase Orders, Contracts, and Prime Contracts.
For instance, a Change Status of Submitted can be set to affect neither the budget nor the forecast. This is because the client has not given
any formal notice to proceed with the Change. A Change Status of Pending can be set to affect an Engineering Document to indicate the hours
are pending. A Change Status of Notice to Proceed can be set to affect the forecast because it is not formally approved but the client has given
permission to start the work. Finally, a Change Status of Approved can be set to affect both the budget and forecast because it has been
formally approved by the client.
Change Status codes can be developed at the Enterprise level in order to create a standard list used by all projects. An individual Project can
use those codes, create their own set of Project-specific Change Status codes, or use a combination of Enterprise and Project-specific codes.
Change Status codes are used in the Cost Management package to status Budget/EAC Changes which affect Control Accounts. They are used
in the Engineering package to status Engineering Changes which affect Engineering Accounts and Engineering Documents. They are used in
the Field Management package to status Field Management Changes which affect Progress Accounts and Progress Items; and in the
Procurement package to status Line Item Changes, which affect Purchase Orders and in the Contracts and Prime Contracts packages to status
Pay Item Changes, which affect Contracts and Prime Contracts.
7) Click in the Remarks cell and enter any additional Information about the Change Status.
Note that the Advanced Change Management option in Project Settings (on page 202) must be enabled for the Change Impact
data pane to be visible.
Change Varieties
The Change Varieties data pane is used to define categories of Budget/EAC Changes (on page 358), Trends (on page 377), Engineering
Changes, Field Management Changes, Purchase Order Changes, Contract Changes, and Prime Contract changes on a project. The list of
Change Varieties is defined at the Enterprise level only. Change Varieties are then assigned to Budget/EAC Changes, Trends, Engineering
Changes, Field Management Changes, Purchase Order Changes, or Contract Changes within a project. This allows Change Management data
to be categorized by Change Varieties in reports.
Enterprise Categories
The Categories data pane is used to define a list of labor or non-labor categories, which define Labor Rates and Multipliers for calculating cost
data based on hours entered through the Staffing Plans (see "Staffing Plans (Cost Management)" on page 353) feature or from Schedule
Resources (on page 392). Each Category is assigned to a Category Type, either Labor, Other Direct Cost, Subcontracts, or Fees - the last three
are for non-labor categories. Once Indirect Costs (on page 285) and Multipliers (on page 287) are defined, then each Category in a project is
assigned a Multiplier ID, which determines how labor costs are calculated on Cost Plus contracts and how non-labor costs can have Multipliers
added, regardless of the Labor Rate Type assigned to Control Accounts.
Enterprise Categories can be entered to create a standard list of Categories for the Enterprise. The Enterprise Categories can be copied to the
Project's Categories. This is useful if a standard set of Categories are frequently used on projects. However, a completely different set of
Categories can be entered if the Enterprise Categories do not make sense. Labor Rates and Multipliers are assigned specifically to each
project.
5) Click the Category Type drop-down and select a Category Type; Labor, Other Direct Cost, Subcontracts, or Fees.
6) If the project uses Multi-currency and the rates entered uses a currency other than the Base Rate, click the Currency ID drop-down
and select a Currency.
a. This field is disabled if the project is not setup as a Multi-currency project.
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b. If this selection is left blank then PRISM assumes the currency to be the Base Currency defined in the Project Settings form.
c. The Currency ID cannot be changed once the Category is used to create Budget Plans or ETC Plans.
To Enter Categories:
1) Select Define > Shared > Categories.
2) If you want to create a list of Categories that are the same as those created in the Enterprise Categories data pane, click the Copy
Enterprise Categories icon on the navigation toolbar. Once the list is copied, you can add, delete, or modify Category records.
3) Use Steps 2 through 6 described above to add new Categories.
4) Click the Multiplier ID drop-down and select a Multiplier ID.
a. This is only necessary if Control Accounts' Labor Rate Type is set to Cost Plus and Staffing Plans (on page 354) or, if Schedule
Resources (see "Resource Assignments (Schedule Activities)" on page 390) are used as the source of hours to calculate costs on
Control Accounts for Non-labor Categories.
b. Determines the Indirect Cost Multiplier calculation used to calculate extended costs.
Employees (Categories)
The Categories-Employees subpane is a read-only pane that indicates every Employee that is assigned to a Labor Category, whether that
assignment is made at the Enterprise level or the Project level.
The Base Cost Rates are typically the average Labor Rate of the Labor Category or some approximation thereof. These are used to calculate
costs on Control Accounts where the Labor Rate Type is set to Cost Plus. The Bare Cost Rate is multiplied by the Categories planned or
forecast hours and the Multipliers (on page 287) assigned to the Labor Category to derive the cost.
It is important to note that Bare Cost Rates defined in the Employees-Rates by Reporting Period (see "Rates By Enterprise Period
(Employees)" on page 262) subpane take precedence over the rates entered in this subpane when costs are calculated.
The Time and Material Rates are fully burdened rates applied to Labor Categories. A column to enter standard Time and Material Rate is
visible. You can add more columns for alternative Time and Material Rates by entering Time and Materials Rate Labels in the Enterprise
Settings (on page 304) form. The alternative Time and Materials Rates are assigned to Staffing Budget/ETC Plans or to Resources. The
standard and alternative Time and Materials Rates are used to calculate costs on Control Accounts where the Labor Rate Type is set to Time
and Materials. The Time and Material rate is multiplied by the Categories planned or forecast hours to derive the cost.
Agreement Types
Agreement Types are used to combine various Attachments into a single set of Attachments. Agreement Types provide an easy way to assign
several Attachments to a Purchase Requisition, Purchase Order, Contract or Prime Contract. For example, no matter what type of Electrical
equipment is assigned to a Purchase Order, a standard set of Attachments for electrical equipment Purchase Orders can be created.
Whenever an electrical equipment Purchase Order is generated this set of Attachments is assigned to that Purchase Order. Some examples of
Agreement Types are as follows:
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Attachments
A standard list of boiler plate documents to include with Purchase Requisitions, Purchase Orders, and Contracts are defined in the
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Attachments form. Each Attachment defined in PRISM is linked to a document stored on the company's computer network.
Attachments are combined as a set of documents by including them in one or more Agreement Types. Agreement Types are then assigned to
Purchase Requisitions, Requests for Quotation, Purchase Orders, Requests for Proposal, or Contracts.
Whenever a Purchase Requisition, Request for Quotation, Purchase Order, Request for Proposal, or Contract is printed, the linked or attached
documents are also printed.
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Attachments can be defined at the Enterprise level in order to create a standard list of Attachments used by all projects. An individual project
can use these Attachments, or create its own set of Project-specific Attachments, or use a combination of Enterprise and Project-specific
Attachments.
To Create Attachments:
1) For Enterprise Attachments, select Enterprise > Shared > Attachments. For Project Attachments, select Define > Shared >
Attachments.
2) Click the Add Record icon.
3) Click in the Attachment ID cell and enter an Attachment ID.
4) Click in the Description cell and enter an Attachment Description.
5) Click the Document Type ID drop-down and select a Document Type ID.
6) Click the Attachment File browse icon and select the File and File Location of the Attachment document found on the company's
Network.
7) To sort these records differently than the alphanumeric sort order of the Attachment ID, click in the Sort Code cell and enter a Sort
Code.
Codes (Enterprise)
The Codes ribbon group on the Enterprise tab is where commands are found to define both Project Groups and Enterprise Groups. Project
Groups are a way to code individual projects. Enterprise Groups are a way to code master records in a project using codes established for all
projects. These group definitions are important when generating Enterprise reports, allowing you to group, sort, summarize, and filter data
from multiple projects using common coding.
Project Groups
Project Groups is a feature used to categorize projects. You can define up to nine different Project Groups and each group contains a list of
Project Group IDs and Descriptions. Multiple projects can be grouped, sorted, summarized, and filtered in Enterprise reports using Project
Groups. Some examples of Project Groups include:
Portfolio - assign projects to an industry such as petrochem, oil & gas, transportation, manufacturing, etc.
Project Manager - assign each project manager to one or more projects.
Client - assign a client to each project.
In order to create a Project Group, a Project Group Title is entered in the Project Groups data pane. For the examples above, the Project
Group Titles would be Portfolio, Project Manager, and Client.
Once the Project Group Title is created, then the list of Project Group IDs and Descriptions are defined for the Project Group. In the case of
Portfolio, the list could include the following Project Group IDs and descriptions:
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Petro - Petrochem
Oil - Oil and Gas
Trans - Transportation
Manf - Manufacturing
Enterprise Groups
Enterprise Groups is a feature which is used to categorize Master Records in a project. You can define up to nine Enterprise Groups and each
group contains a list of Enterprise Group IDs and corresponding Descriptions. Once created, Enterprise Group IDs are available for use on all
projects. Enterprise Group IDs are assigned to Master Records in a project, thus providing a means to group, sort, summarize, and filter data in
reports, forms, and panes.
An Enterprise Group is created by entering an Enterprise Group Title that describes the type of data contained in the Group. Some typical
examples of Enterprise Group Titles include:
Phase of Work
Project Manager
Code of Accounts
Each Group is then populated with a list of Enterprise Group IDs and a corresponding Description. The Enterprise Group ID may be somewhat
non-descriptive, therefore, the description provides greater context to the Group ID.
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Once Enterprise Groups are defined, they are available to be assigned to any Master Record in a project. Each Master Record data pane has a
supporting Groups subpane where these assignments are made.
Any Enterprise Group can be defined as a Default group, which means the Enterprise Group and associated list of Enterprise Group IDs can be
assigned to any Master Record. A Default group is defined by selecting the Default tab and entering the Enterprise Group Title. You can
override any Default group for a specific Master Record by selecting any Master Record tab and entering an Enterprise Group Title. For
instance, you may have an Enterprise Group Title that is used for both Control Accounts and Budget Details. For Activities, however, it can be
overridden to use a different Enterprise Group Title.
Once Enterprise Groups are assigned, reports can be generated utilizing Group IDs in various options in order to customize the reports.
Cost (Enterprise)
The Cost ribbon group on the Enterprise tab is where commands are found to define lists of codes specific to the Cost Management package.
By developing these lists of definitions, a project can use this data as opposed to creating new, project-specific definitions. Using these
Enterprise definitions on a project is important because it standardizes data throughout the projects.
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Note that this setting is only for Reviewers. This setting is independent of the Approvers. Approvers must have sufficient
Approval Authority to approve a Budget/EAC Change.
The following tables show how an Approval Authority affects a Users/Teams' role in the Review and Approval process based on the Change
amount. The first table identifies three Users and their Approval Authority. The subsequent tables provide examples using different Change
amounts showing how the Users' roles change based on the Approval Authority and the Reviewer settings.
This example shows a Budget/EAC Change amount for $30,000, and uses the Users With Sufficient Approval Authority setting for Reviewers
in the Project or Enterprise Settings form. Since the Change amount is greater than Bob Harris' Approval Authority, he cannot take place in the
Review and Approval process for this Change. Fred Rodgers and John Smith can both Approve this change because their Approval Authority
exceeds the Change amount.
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The example shows a Budget/EAC Change amount for $30,000 and uses the Users With Insufficient Approval Authority setting for Reviewers
in the Project Settings form. Since the Change amount is greater than Bob Harris' Approval Authority, he cannot Approve the Change amount.
However, he can be a Reviewer on the Change because of the Change amount. As in the previous example, Fred Rodgers and John Smith can
both Approve this Change because their Approval Authority exceeds the Change amount.
Note that when the Review and Approval option is enabled, a Budget/EAC Change may not need to be Reviewed or Approved.
This depends on the Review and Approval Method defined on the Budget/EAC Change record.
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7) Click in the Remarks cell and enter any Additional Information necessary to explain the Change Event.
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Funding Sources
On some projects you may need to track funding, which is an amount of money made available to pay for the project's costs. Funding is
usually provided each fiscal or calendar year for a multi-year project. Generally, a project should not spend beyond its funding limit.
Therefore, tracking funding is an important process.
Two examples of funding include Capital Costs and Expenses Costs. Capital Costs funding is for a major acquisition that spans multiple years.
Expenses Costs funding is for operations and support work that is planned yearly.
Note that Funding is not the same as a projects budget. Funding is provided incrementally whereas the budget is the total
planned cost needed to complete the project.
Sometimes funding comes from more than one source. Using the Funding Sources data pane, you can define the various Funding Sources for
your project. The Enterprise Funding Sources data pane is used to define Funding Sources at the Enterprise-level, allowing multiple projects to
use the same Funding Sources. A project can use both Enterprise Funding Sources and Project-specific Funding Sources.
The Enterprise Funding Sources - Project/Control Account Breakdown subpane is read-only; records cannot be entered or deleted. This
subpane displays all of the funding records entered on all projects.
Indirect Costs
Indirect Costs are the types of costs that are added to Direct Costs, which are the Bare Labor and Non-labor costs of a project, to account for
the total cost to do the work. Indirect Costs can include Fringe Benefits such as medical benefits; Overhead such as office rental, General and
Administration for enterprise expenses such as finance or legal costs.
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The Enterprise Indirect Costs and the Indirect Costs data panes are used to develop the equation as to how Multipliers are built up in order to
calculate a project's Indirect Costs. The actual Multipliers are applied to a project using the Multipliers (on page 287) data pane. The Indirect
Costs data pane is only used to develop a structure to which Multipliers can be applied. The indirect cost multipliers are then used to calculate
extended costs on Control Accounts where the labor hours or non-labor costs are identified in Staffing Plan (see "Plans" on page 354) or
Schedule Resources.
Note that you only need to develop Enterprise Indirect Costs if the Indirect Costs are standardized across several projects.
Enterprise Indirect Costs must be copied to the project's Indirect Cost table.
An Indirect Cost record is created for each type of Indirect cost. A Calculation Basis is defined for each record. This is the equation, minus
Multipliers, that describes how the costs are calculated.
The following tables provide an example of how the Calculation Basis for Indirect Costs might be defined for Labor Costs and Non-labor Costs.
The Indirect ID is the user-defined ID for each Indirect Cost record. The calculation is the equation defined to calculate the costs. The
Calculation Basis is the representation of that equation as it is defined on the Indirect Costs data pane.
Bare Cost Hours (from Staffing Plans or Resources) x Bare Cost Rate (from Employees or Categories)
Fringe FR Bare Cost x Fringe Multiplier Direct
Overhead OH Bare Cost x Overhead Multiplier Direct
G&A G&A (Bare Costs + Fringe Costs + Overhead Costs) x G&A Multiplier Direct, FR, OH
Fee FEE (Bare Costs + Fringe Costs + Overhead Costs + G&A Costs) x Fee Multiplier Direct, FR, OH, G&A
In some cases, Indirect Costs are applied against the Hours worked as opposed to the Bare Cost or the calculated Indirect Costs. As in any
example, you can create an Indirect Cost that accounts for the cost of technology. You could develop an Indirect Cost record with a Calculation
Basis of Hours. When Multipliers are applied, instead of applying a factor, you are applying a Cost per Hour. For instance, you could have a
computer charge of $10/hour to account for the cost of computers and other computer-related technology.
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When Indirect Costs are calculated, the cost is applied to each Control Account-Cost Element being affected. However, if you want certain
Indirect Cost to be placed in a separate Cost Element on the Control Accounts, you can define the Cost Element ID in the Indirect Costs data
pane. For instance, you may want to place the Fringe, Overhead, and G&A costs into a Cost Element called Indirects and the Fee into a
different Cost Element called Fee. This would allow you view your project in terms of Bare Costs, Total Costs, and Revenue. Of course, you
would need your financial system to provide you actuals split out in this manner.
Enterprise Indirect Costs are not used to calculate costs on a project. However, you can copy the Enterprise Indirect Cost
records to the project's Indirect Costs data pane.
Multipliers
Multipliers work in conjunction with the Calculation Basis developed in the Indirect Costs (on page 285) data pane to define the equations
used to calculate Indirect Costs on Control Accounts. This feature is used when Staffing Plan (see "Plans" on page 354) or Schedule Resources
(see "Resource Assignments (Schedule Activities)" on page 390) are used to derive the Labor hours or Non-labor bare costs.
The Enterprise Multipliers and Multipliers subpanes are used to define Multiplier records which determine how one or several Indirect Costs
are calculated. Multiplier records are assigned to one or more Categories (see "Enterprise Categories" on page 275). For instance, you may
have one Multiplier record that is assigned to Labor Categories and a different Multiplier record that is assigned to Non-labor Categories.
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Note that you only need to develop Enterprise Multipliers if the Multipliers are standardized across several projects. Enterprise
Multipliers must be copied to the project's Multipliers table.
Indirect Cost Multipliers can change over the course of a project. You can forecast those changes by defining the Indirect Cost Multipliers by
Enterprise Periods (on page 264) or Reporting Periods (on page 593). Indirect Cost Multipliers would be defined in the Multipliers-Rates by
Reporting Period subpane for the first Reporting Period. Then, in a later Reporting Period, a new Indirect Cost Multiplier is defined as a
change to the Multiplier is anticipated. As an example, you plan to start with a Fringe multiplier of 1.40, however, in the third period, you
anticipate the multiplier to increase to 1.50, and then later reduce back to 1.40 in the sixth period.
The following tables show how Indirect Cost Multipliers work with the Calculation Basis defined in Indirect Costs (on page 285) to define a
complete equation that is used calculate Indirect Costs. Notice that the Indirect Labor Cost calculations in the first table are slightly different
from the Indirect Non-labor Cost calculations. The Direct Costs are the Bare Labor Costs and Bare Non-labor Costs of the project.
Indirect Cost Multiplier Calculation Basis (from Indirect Costs) Indirect Labor Cost Calculations
Indirect Cost Multiplier Calculation Basis (from Indirect Costs) Indirect Non-labor Cost Calculations
However, as discussed earlier, Indirect Cost Multipliers are defined by Reporting Period. In the following example, the time phased direct
labor costs developed either from a Staffing Plan or Scheduled Resources, are extended using the same Indirect Cost Multipliers with the
exception that these Multipliers change from one period to another. The first table shows the Fringe and Overheads calculated on time
phased Bare Costs. Notice in the last period, the Bare Cost Rate changes for $50/hr to $60/hr. The multipliers are assigned on the first period
and, in the case of the Fringe multiplier, the Multiplier changes in later periods. The second table indicates how G&A and a Fee are calculated.
The G&A rate changes in the last period.
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1 1.40 1.60 20 hrs x $50/hr = $1000 $1000 X 0.40 = $400 $1000 X 0.60 = $600
2 30 hrs x $50/hr = $1500 $1500 x 0.40 = $600 $1500 X 0.60 = $900
3 1.50 30 hrs x $50/hr = $1500 $1500 x 0.50 = $750 $1500 X 0.60 = $900
4 40 hrs x $50/hr = $2000 $2000 x 0.50 = $1000 $2000 X 0.60 = $1200
5 30 hrs x $50/hr = $1500 $1500 x 0.50 = $750 $1500 X 0.60 = $900
6 1.40 50 hrs x $60/hr = $3000 $3000 x 0.40 = $1200 $3000 X 0.60 = $1200
TOTAL $10,500 $4700 $5700
To Define Multipliers:
1) For Enterprise Multipliers, select Enterprise > Cost > Multipliers. For Project Multipliers, select Define > Cost > Multipliers.
2) Click the Add Record icon.
3) Click in the Multiplier ID box and enter a Multiplier ID.
4) Click in the Description box and enter a Description or a long title that describes the Multiplier record.
5) In the Enterprise Multipliers-Rates by Enterprise Period subpane or the Multipliers-Rates By Reporting Period subpane, click the
Select Indirect ID icon on the navigation toolbar and select an Indirect Cost ID to assign Multipliers as well.
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a. The Select Indirect ID drop-down also acts as a filter. If an Indirect ID is selected, then only the records with this ID are displayed
in the subpane.
b. If the Select Indirect ID drop-down is set to blank, all records added to the subpane are displayed.
6) Click the subpane's Add Record icon, select one or more Enterprise/Reporting Periods, and click OK.
a. If the Allow Rate Changes option is enabled on various periods in the Enterprise Periods (on page 264) or the Reporting Periods
(on page 593) form, then only those selected periods are available in the Add Records form.
b. It is important to select the first Reporting Period so that cost data can be calculated from the first period forward.
7) For each record added, click in the Indirect Cost Multiplier cell and enter an Indirect Cost Multiplier.
a. The multiplier values must be equal to or greater than 1.00 unless the Indirect Cost record being used has its Calculation Basis
defined as Hours.
8) Repeat Steps 5 through 7 to add other Indirect IDs and define the Indirect Cost Multipliers by period.
Enterprise Multipliers are not used to calculate costs on a project. However, you can copy the Enterprise Multiplier records to the project's
Multipliers data pane. For instance, you might have a set of standard Multipliers that are used on government contracts and another set that
are used on commercial contracts that are maintained as Enterprise Multipliers. When you have a project that is going to use the government
multipliers, you would copy those particular Multipliers to the project's Multipliers data pane.
Engineering (Enterprise)
The Engineering ribbon group on the Enterprise tab is where commands are found to define codes specific to the Engineering package. By
developing these lists of definitions, a project can use this data as opposed to creating new, project-specific definitions. Using these
Enterprise definitions on a project is important because it standardizes data throughout the projects.
Document Status
Document Status is used to categorize Engineering Documents based on their progress in the document generation and approval process.
They are useful in searching for documents using a filter and for grouping, sorting, and summarizing data in reports.
For example, the list of Document Status codes could include the following:
Checked
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Approved
Issued
On Hold
Canceled
These status definitions are used as column header labels in the Document Status and Document Summary reports.
Engineering Classes
The Engineering Classes definition is used to classify groups of Engineering Documents and Engineering Accounts that will utilize a common
set of progress Milestones. For instance, General Arrangement drawings will use one set of progress Milestones that are typically different
than those used for Isometric drawings, calculations, and/or specifications.
Each Engineering Class is assigned a template of progress Milestones. Each milestone represents a step in the development of an Engineering
Document or Engineering Account and is assigned a Percent Complete. When an Engineering Class is assigned to an Engineering Document or
Engineering Account, the Milestone Template can be copied to an Engineering Document or Engineering Account. As the Engineering
Document or Engineering Account is statused, the Percent Complete associated with the highest milestone completed is the Percent
Complete calculated for the Engineering Document or Engineering Account.
Progress Milestones are listed in sequential order, first to last, using a Milestone number. Each Milestone is assigned a Percent Complete. The
lowest percentage is applied to the first Milestone and is increased with each successive milestone. The following example demonstrates the
sequential order of Milestones and the Percent Complete applied to each for a General Arrangement Drawing:
01 Planning 10%
02 Layout 25%
03 Preliminary Design 40%
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These templates of progress Milestones ensure a consistent and objective approach to entering status against documents of a similar nature
and tasks. It also makes the status process more efficient.
Note that in order for progress Milestones to be useful on individual Engineering Documents or Engineering Accounts, the Percent Complete
Method assigned to each document must be either MME or MIL.
Equipment/Materials (Enterprise)
The Equipment/Materials ribbon on the Enterprise tab is where commands are found to define codes for the Equipment/Materials package.
By developing these lists of definitions, this data can used in a project as opposed to creating new, project-specific definitions. Using these
Enterprise definitions on a project is important because it standardizes data throughout the projects.
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Inspection Levels
The Inspection Level is used to indicate the inspection requirement assigned to a Purchase Requisition. This pertinent information is used by
the purchasing agent to ensure proper documentation is assigned to a Request For Quotation (RFQ) or a Purchase Order pertaining to
inspections.
The Inspection Level ID is a user-defined alphanumeric code. A corresponding Inspection Level Description is included, such as in the examples
shown below:
No Inspection Required
Full Quality Check
Limited Quality Check
Test Full Operation of Equipment
Visual Check for Damage Only
Events
Events are a listing of standard steps or events that an organization must complete to manage the Procurement or Contracting process. The
Events form is only used to generate the titles of the various Events; it has nothing to do with sequencing of the events. Events are assigned at
the Enterprise level to create a standard list of Events that can be used by all projects. Events can also be assigned at the Project level.
Each Event is identified for use in Purchase Order schedules, Shipment schedules, or Contract schedules. The Event list should include items
that start when Purchasing or Contracts receive a Purchase Requisition until the procured item arrives on site or the contract is closed.
Some common Events that take place throughout the Contract process include:
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To Define Events:
1) For Enterprise Events, select Enterprise > Purchase Orders and Contracts > Events. For Project Events, select Define > Purchase
Orders and Contracts > Events.
2) Click the Add Record icon.
3) Click in the Event ID cell and enter a unique Event ID.
4) Click in the Event Title cell and enter an Event Title.
5) Click in the Report Label-Upper cell and enter the first portion of the Event Title.
6) Click in the Report Label-Lower cell and enter the last portion of the Event Title.
7) Click the Data Type drop-down and select Contracts, Purchase Orders, or Shipments.
8) Click the Standard Event drop-down and select a Standard Event.
9) To sort these records differently than the alphanumeric value of the Event ID, click in the Sort Code cell and enter a Sort Code.
Event Templates
Once the titles of Events have been defined, specific Events can be grouped and sequenced together by creating an Event Template. An Event
Template is essentially a standard sequence of Procurement, Shipment, or Contracting activities. Multiple Event Templates can be developed
for Purchase Orders, Shipments, and/or Contracts. These templates are used when creating a Request For Quotation/Purchase Order,
Shipment, or a Request for Proposal/Contract in order to quickly apply a standard set of Events. Event Templates are assigned at the
Enterprise level to create templates that can be used by all projects or at the Project level.
As an example, you may want to create Event Templates for Mechanical Equipment Procurements, Mechanical Equipment Shipments, Bulk
Material Procurements, Engineering Service Contracts, Construction Contracts, and Piping Fabrication.
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Each Event on a template should have Durations assigned. These are the average duration in calendar days that it takes for the Event to be
completed. In addition, each Event is assigned a Weight. This weighting is for information only. In the future it will be used as a factor in
calculating a Purchase Order or Contract's percent complete.
Suppliers
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A list of Suppliers is maintained in PRISM at the Enterprise level and is used for the following:
Identifying Bidders on a Request for Quotation
Awarding a Purchase Order to a Bidder
Evaluating the Supplier's performance
Assigning a Supplier to an Invoice record
For each Supplier, there is contact information and other data that is entered. This information is automatically copied to a Purchase Order
when the Purchase Order is awarded.
An external Pre-Qualification Document can be linked to each Supplier. When the Supplier is selected as a Bidder on a Request for Quotation,
the Pre-Qualification Document is automatically linked to the Request for Quotation.
The Product Keywords are entered against each Supplier, providing an additional means of searching for Bidders from a large Suppliers table.
You can also view which Requests for Quotation/Purchase Orders that a Supplier was selected as a Bidder and if they won the bid (currently
under development).
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To Define Suppliers:
1) Select Enterprise > Purchase Orders and Contracts > Suppliers.
2) Click the Add Record icon.
3) Click in the Supplier ID box and enter a Supplier ID.
4) Click in the Description box and enter a Description of the Supplier.
5) Click in the Contact Information box and enter information as necessary.
a. Supplier Name
b. Contact Name
c. Address
d. Email
e. Telephone
f. Fax
g. Tax ID
h. Business Class
6) Check the Tax Exempt checkbox if the Supplier is tax exempt.
7) Click on the Payment Terms ID drop-down and select a default Payment Term ID. This will be the default Payment Terms ID that is
automatically added to the Purchase Order record when a Supplier is assigned to a Purchase Order.
8) Check the Inactive checkbox if the Contractor is inactive. If a Contractor is marked as Inactive, it cannot be awarded a Contract.
9) Click the Pre-qualification Document File browse icon, locate a Pre-qualification Document to link to the Supplier, and click Save.
10) If the Pre-qualification has been successfully completed, check the Pre-qualification Complete checkbox.
11) The Last Update box is a read-only reference that will automatically update with the current date when a change is added to the
Suppliers data pane.
12) Click in the Product Keywords subpane and enter any Words that describe the products supplied by the Supplier.
13) The Bidders subpane is read-only and displays the various projects where the Supplier has been added to a Request for Quotation or
a Purchase Order.
Contractors
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A list of Contractors is maintained in PRISM at the Enterprise level, and used for the following:
Identifying Bidders on a Request for Proposal
Awarding a Contract to a Bidder
Evaluating the Contractor's performance
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To Define Contractors:
1) Select Enterprise > Purchase Orders and Contracts > Contractors.
2) Click the Add Record icon.
3) Click in the Contractor ID box and enter a Contractor ID.
4) Click in the Description box and enter a Description of the Contractor.
5) Click in the Contact Information box and enter information as necessary.
a. Contractor Name
b. Contact Name
c. Address
d. Email
e. Telephone
f. Fax
g. Tax ID
h. Business Class
6) Check the Tax Exempt checkbox if the Contractor is tax exempt.
7) Click on the Payment Terms ID drop-down and select a default Payment Term ID. This will be the default Payment Terms ID that is
automatically added to the Contract record when a Contractor is assigned to a Contract.
8) Check the Inactive checkbox if the Contractor is inactive. If a Contractor is marked as Inactive, it cannot be awarded a Contract.
9) Click the Pre-qualification Document File browse icon, locate a Pre-qualification Document to link to the Contractor, and click Save.
10) If the Pre-qualification has been successfully completed, check the Pre-qualification Complete checkbox.
11) Click in the Services Keywords subpane and enter any Words that describe the services supplied by the Contractor.
12) The Last Update box is a read-only reference that will automatically update with the current date when a change is added to the
Contractors data pane.
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13) The Bidders subpane is read-only and displays the various projects where the Supplier has been added to a Request for Quotation or
a Purchase Order.
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Owners
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A list of Owners is maintained in PRISM at the Enterprise level and used for the following:
Assigning an Owner to a Prime Contract
Evaluating an Owner's performance and relationship with the Prime Contractor
Assigning an Owner to an Invoice record
For each Owner, contact information and other data is entered. When an Owner is assigned to a Prime Contract, this information is
automatically copied to the Prime Contract.
The Key Words are entered against each Owner record, providing an additional means of searching for Owners from a long list of Owners.
To Define Owners:
1) Select Enterprise > Purchase Orders and Contracts > Owners.
2) Click the Add Record icon.
3) Click the Owner ID box and enter an Owner ID.
4) Click in the Description box and enter a Description for the Owner.
5) Click in the Contact Information box and enter information as necessary.
a. Owner Name
b. Contact Name
c. Address
d. Email
e. Telephone
f. Fax
g. Reference Number
6) Click the Payment Terms ID drop-down and select a Payment Term ID (see "Payment Terms" on page 300). This will be the default
Payment Terms ID that is automatically added to the Prime Contract record when an Owner is assigned to a Prime Contract.
7) Check the Inactive checkbox if the Owner is not currently soliciting work from Contractors. If an Owner is marked as Inactive, it
cannot be assigned to a Prime Contract.
8) The Last Update box is a read-only reference that automatically updates with the current date when a change is made to the Owners
data pane.
9) Click in the Key Words subpane and enter any Words that describe the Owner, and are used to search for an Owner from a list of
Owners.
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Payment Terms
The Payment Terms form is used to define Payment Terms for the Enterprise or Project. Payment Terms indicate when payments are
contractually obligated to be made as negotiated between the Buyer and the Seller. Usually, there is a specific time in calendar days from
when the invoice is sent to the Buyer to when the payment must be made. In some cases, payments may need to be made up front, either in
advance or when the procured items are delivered or contract services are rendered.
Delivery Terms
The Delivery Terms form is used to define Delivery Terms for the Enterprise or Project. Delivery Terms indicate how and/or where the
procured items are to be delivered or contract services are rendered, as negotiated between the Buyer and the Seller.
Delivery Addresses
Delivery Addresses are used in various Requests for Quotation/Purchase Orders, Request for Proposal/Contracts, and Prime Contracts
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documents printed by PRISM . You can define a standard set of Delivery Addresses at the Enterprise or Project level. Standard Delivery
Addresses (on page 300) simplify the process of adding addresses to an individual Request for Quotation/Purchase Order and Request for
Proposal/Contract.
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There are four types of Delivery Addresses that can be defined. For each type of Delivery Address, you can define multiple Delivery Addresses:
Communications - to send all communications to.
Engineering Documents - to send drawings, reports, data, manuals to (only used on Requests for Quotation and Purchase Orders).
Shipments - to send equipment and materials to (only used on Requests for Quotation and Purchase Orders).
Invoices - to send all invoices to.
Note that you can use an ID structure that helps separate the different types of Delivery Addresses. For instance, the Address
IDs for all communication Delivery Addresses can begin with the title COMM followed by a sequential number (i.e., COMM1,
COMM2, etc.).
Rules of Credit
The Rules of Credit definition is used to create a template of standard Rules to track progress on Progress Accounts and Progress Items. Each
Rules of Credit is assigned a template of Rules. Each Rule represents a step in the Field that must be completed for a Progress Account or
Progress Item. A Rule is assigned a Quantity Unit (i.e., cubic yards, lineal feet) and the Planned Quantity. The Rule is then weighted which will
help measure the progress based on the Planned Quantity and the Quantity Completed.
For example, a Site Preparation on a Field Management project could use one set of Rules, while installing electrical equipment would require
a different set of Rules. However, in both cases, for either a Progress Account or Progress Item a standard set of rules could be established for
both Field activities to track progress.
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When a Rules of Credit is assigned to a Progress Account or Progress Item, the Rules need to be copied over to the Rules of Credit subpanes.
The Rules are listed in a sequential order, first to last, using an alphanumeric identifier. Each Rule is assigned a weight. The total weight of all
the Rules should equal 100, meaning that when all the Rules have been completed; the Progress Item or Progress Account is 100 percent
complete.
Note that this is different than assigning Milestones where one milestone cannot be started until the previous has been
completed. Sometimes during Field activities, several Rules will be performed simultaneously; therefore, some Rules may not be
completed in a sequential order.
The following example shows the Rules that could be assigned for Site Preparation and Excavation.
These templates of Rules ensure a consistent and standard approach to enter status against Progress Accounts and Progress Items of a similar
nature. It also makes the progressing of a project more efficient.
Note that in order for a Rules of Credit to be useful on individual Progress Items and Progress Accounts, the Percent Complete
Method assigned must be set to ROC.
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Invoice Status
The Invoice Status form is used to define Invoice Status codes for the Enterprise or Project. Invoice Status codes are used indicate the current
status of an Invoice. Each Status ID is assigned a system-defined Stage, which determines how commitment data is affected on the Invoices, as
described below.
None - the invoice record is not complete and the invoice cost is not added to the commitment data.
Pending - the invoice is pending to be approved and invoice cost is added as an unapproved invoice.
Approved - the invoice is approved and the invoice cost is added as an approved invoice.
Paid - the invoice is paid and the cost is added as an approved Invoice.
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Services Rendered
The Services Rendered form is used to define Services Rendered codes for the Enterprise or Project. Services Rendered codes can be used to
categorize an invoice by the type of services that the vendor is performing.
Tools (Enterprise)
The Tools ribbon group in the Enterprise tab is where options and settings are defined that affect data, forms, and processes associated with
the Enterprise.
Enterprise Settings
There are some Enterprise-specific settings that need to be set. The settings are primarily reporting.
The Base Currency used for Enterprise reports needs to be set as well. Projects will display currency values in this currency unless changed in
the report specification.
The Currency Exchange Rate Decimal Places defines the default setting for new projects. It is the maximum number of decimal places
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displayed in Exchange Rate boxes and cells within PRISM .
The Date Format that is used in Enterprise reports is defined. This does not affect the date format used for project-specific reports, which is
set in Project Settings (on page 202).
Variance calculations for Estimate At Completion on Cost and Comparison reports can be defined. There settings do not affect the Estimate At
Completion calculation, just how the variances are calculated and displayed on the reports.
The current Reporting Period for Cost Management reports, Engineering reports, and Field Management reports can be set to the latest
current reporting period of all the projects or to any Reporting Period. In time phased reports and graphics, the data date is set to this period.
If a project has not been updated to the period selected, it reports forecast data as actuals.
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Up to five Alternative Time and Materials Rate Labels can be defined for the Enterprise. Once an Alternative Time and Materials Rate Label is
entered, a column is added to the Enterprise Categories-Rates by Reporting Period (see "Rates By Enterprise/Reporting Period (Categories)"
on page 276) and Categories-Rates by Reporting Period (see "Employees (Categories)" on page 276) subpanes using the same label you just
entered for the column header label. The Rate Labels are also added to Staffing Plans and Schedule Resources.
Two examples of labels you might define are Government Rates and Commercial Rates. Doing so would allow you to develop specific sets of
rates for each project. The full process is further defined in Rates and Multipliers (on page 85).
This is also where the Advanced Change Management feature's options for managing Trends and Budget/EAC Changes at the Enterprise Level
are enabled and defined. This feature must be enabled in the Project Settings (on page 202) form.
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a. Current-Previous - The Estimate At Completion variance is calculated as the Current EAC minus the Previous EAC.
b. Previous-Current - The Estimate At Completion variance is calculated as the Previous EAC minus the Current EAC.
9) Click the Variance At Completion Calculation drop-down and select one of the following calculations for how the Variance at
Completion will be calculated on the Cost and Comparison reports in the Cost Management, Engineering, and Field Management
packages.
a. Budget-EAC - the Variance at Completion is calculated as the selected Budget minus the Estimate At Completion.
b. EAC-Budget - the Variance at Completion is calculated as the Estimate at Completion minus the selected Budget.
10) Click the Current Cost Reporting Period drop-down and select a Reporting Period. This will affect time phased Cost Management
reports and graphics.
a. You can select any Reporting Period.
b. Alternatively, click the Get Latest button and the Reporting Period entered is the latest current Reporting Period of all the
projects that are set to be available to the Enterprise.
11) Click the Current Engineering Reporting Period drop-down and select a Reporting Period. This will affect time phased Engineering
reports and graphics.
a. You can select any Reporting Period.
b. Alternatively, click the Get Latest button and the Reporting Period entered is the latest current Reporting Period of all the
projects that are set to be available to the Enterprise.
12) Click the Current Field Management Reporting Period drop-down and select a Reporting Period. This will affect time phased Field
Management reports and graphics.
a. You can select any Reporting Period.
b. Alternatively, click the Get Latest button and the Reporting Period entered is the latest current Reporting Period of all the
projects that are set to be available to the Enterprise.
13) Click the Cost Management tab.
14) Click in each of the Performance Threshold boxes and enter the Variance Percent and the Performance Index values for both Cost
and Schedule.
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a. These are used to generate a Stop Light effect in the PRISM Dashboard application. This affect highlights performance data
that exceeds these thresholds. The Warning value is used as a first indication of a performance problem and variances exceeding
the defined thresholds are highlighted in Yellow in the Performance subpane. The Alarm value is a higher, more stringent value
and variances that exceed these values are highlighted in Red.
b. By default, the Schedule and Cost Performance Index are set to 1.00 for Warning and 0.80 for Alarm. The Schedule and Cost
Variance Percent are set to 0% for Warning and 10% for Alarm.
c. These values are copied to the Enterprise Settings form when a new project is created. The Variance Analysis Thresholds for the
project can be modified, if necessary.
15) Click in the Alternative Time and Materials Rate 1 Label box and enter an Alternative Time and Materials Rate Label.
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c. User-defined Prefix + Counter - uses a User-defined alphanumeric prefix plus a numerical counter to automatically generate
Change IDs. For example, if the user-defined prefix for the first Change ID is 001-1, the next Change ID would be 001-2.
23) Click the Auto-generate Trend ID drop-down and select one of the following options. This option will auto-generate Trend IDs in a
sequential order using either a system-defined or a user-defined prefix. When using the auto-generate options, the separator options
include a dash, underscore, period, or space.
a. None - Trend IDs are manually entered.
b. CM Period + Counter - uses the current Change Management Reporting Period plus a numerical counter to automatically
generate Trend IDs. For example, if the Change Management period is 12, the first Trend ID would be 0012-0001, the second
0012-0002, etc.
c. User-defined Prefix + Counter - uses a User-defined alphanumeric Prefix plus a numerical counter to automatically generate
Trend IDs. For example, the user-defined prefix for the first Trend is 001-1; the next Trend ID would be 001-2.
24) Click the New Changes Applied In Reporting Period drop-down and select a future Reporting Period that newly-created Budget/EAC
Changes will be applied to the budgets, forecast, and/or Estimate at Completion. When this option is used, the Change data will not
be applied to the budgets, forecast, and/or Estimate at Completion prior to the defined Reporting Period. How the Change data are
time phased is determined by how the data are calculated. When using this option, all newly-created Budget/EAC Change records will
have the Reporting Period automatically entered.
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25) Check the Enable Change Management Email Notifications checkbox to enable PRISM to automatically generate and send emails
to selected Users who have been assigned as Reviewers and Approvers in the Budget/EAC Changes-Approval subpane. This option has
no functionality unless used in conjunction with the Review and Approval option.
26) Click the Subject drop-down and select field from the Budget/EAC Change record as the Subject of the email. The data entered in the
selected field on the Change record will appear as the Subject of the email. If the field is left blank on the Budget/EAC Change, the
Subject line of the email will also be blank.
27) Click the Fields button and select the fields from the Budget/EAC Change record to include in the Body of the email. Data entered in
the fields of the Budget/EAC Change record is inserted into the Body of the email.
D = Description
M = Detailed Description
R = Alternate ID
T = Due Date
S = Source
C = Company
I = Schedule Impact
J = Cost Impact
$ = Currency
A = Status
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L = Documents
V = Change Value
28) Click in the Default Sender Email box and enter a default Sender's email address, if necessary. If this box is left blank, the emails will
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be sent from the email address of the User who is logged into PRISM at the time emails are generated and sent.
29) Check the Send Review and Approval Emails Directly checkbox to directly send emails to Users/Teams assigned as Reviewers and
Approvers on the Budget/EAC Change record. When this option is checked, emails cannot be previewed or modified. The Review and
Approval process must be enabled.
30) Check the Budget/EAC Changes Review and Approvals checkbox to enable the Review and Approval option for managing
Budget/EAC Changes.
31) Click the Default Review Method drop-down and select a Default Review Method. This Review method will appear in the
Budget/EAC data pane when a Budget/EAC is created, and can be overridden, if necessary.
None - Reviewers are not automatically assigned in the Budget/EAC Changes-Approvals subpane, and the Change does not need
to be reviewed before it can be approved. This is the default method.
Not Required - A list of Reviewers can be generated for the Budget/EAC Change, but the Change does not need to be reviewed
before it can be approved.
Any User - A Change can be reviewed by any User/Team assigned as a Reviewer in the Budget/EAC Changes-Approvals subpane.
The Change must be reviewed by at least one Reviewer before the Budget/EAC Change can be Approved.
All Users - A Change must be reviewed by all Reviewers assigned in the Budget/EAC Change-Approvals subpane before it can be
approved.
In Sequence - A Change must be reviewed in the sequence that the Reviewers are listed in the Budget/EAC Changes-Approvals
subpane. The order of Reviewers is determined by their Approval Authority, from least to greatest.
32) Click in the Default Approve Method drop-down and select a Default Approve Method. This Approval method will appear in the
Budget/EAC data pane when a Budget/EAC is created, and can be overridden, if necessary. It should be noted that the Change may
also need to be reviewed as well as approved before it can be marked as Approved depending on the Review Method selected and if
any Reviewers are assigned in the Budget/EAC Changes-Approvals subpane.
None - Approvers are not automatically assigned in the Budget/EAC Change-Approvals subpane. The Change does not need to be
approved by a User other than the Change creator. This is the default setting.
Not Required - A list of Approvers can be generated for the Budget/EAC Change, but the Change does not need to be approved
by a User in the Budget/EAC Changes-Approvals subpane. The Change can be approved by the Change creator.
Any User - A Change can be Approved by any Approver assigned in the Budget/EAC Changes/Approvals subpane. The Change
must be approved by at least one Approver before the Budget/EAC Change can be approved.
All Users - A Change must be Approved by all Approvers assigned in the Budget/EAC Changes-Approvals subpane. The Change
cannot be approved until all Approvers have approved and marked the Change as Approved.
In Sequence - A Change must be approved in the sequence the Approvers are listed in the Budget/EAC Changes-Approvals
subpane. The order of Approvers is determined by their Approval Authority, from least to greatest.
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First User - A Change can be Approved by the first Approver listed in the Budget/EAC Changes-Approvals subpane. The first User
with sufficient Approval authority can Approve the Change.
33) Check the Users With Sufficient Approval Authority checkbox to filter the list of Reviewers who can review the Budget/EAC Change.
By checking this box, only Users, who are designated as Reviewers AND have an Approval Authority greater than the Change amount,
can be assigned as a Reviewer to the Budget/EAC Change.
34) Check the Users with Insufficient Approval Authority checkbox to filter the list of Reviewers who can review the Budget/EAC Change.
By checking this box, Users who have been assigned as a Reviewer BUT have an Approval Authority less than the Change amount can
be assigned as a Reviewer to the Budget/EAC Change.
Note that if both of these checkboxes are left unchecked, no Reviewers will be added to the Budget/EAC Changes-Approvals
subpane and the Change does not need to be Reviewed before it can be approved. If both boxes are checked, all Users who are
identified as Reviewers will be added to the Budget/EAC Changes-Approvals subpane.
35) The Administrator and the Primary and Secondary Change Owner can override the Review and Approval process. This is done by
checking one of the appropriate Allow Users To Override The Change Approval Process checkboxes. These Users must have at least
Change Management Read Access permissions to override the Review and Approval process.
Note that a User must have at least Change Management Read Access permissions to access Change Management forms
specific to the Advanced Change Management feature.
Projects Snapshot
Project data is generally in a live or incomplete state while a project is being statused. Once statusing is updated for the month, there is a
short period of time when data is complete. The Project Snapshot feature is used to generate a copy any project’s data in this complete state.
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A snapshot of a project's data can be viewed using Enterprise Reports or Project Reports or through the PRISM Dashboard application.
An Enterprise User generates Project Snapshots; however, a Snapshot Database (see "Snapshots" on page 242) must first be created by the
System Administrator. In the Project Snapshots form, a Snapshot Database is selected and then, the projects to include in the snapshot are
selected.
It is important to note that one Snapshot Database can include multiple projects but only one snapshot of each project can be
added to the Snapshot Database. As an example, you could create a Snapshot Database for each Reporting Period. For a
particular Reporting Period, that Snapshot Database can contain a snapshot of every project.
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The Snapshot Database usually uses a database name that may not be understandable to the typical PRISM User. Therefore, the Enterprise
User can apply a Project Snapshot Description that is easily understood by the Project Users. This is the Snapshot label that will be visible in
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the Enterprise Reports and Project Reports data panes, and in the PRISM Dashboard application.
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Project Users have a means of communicating to the Enterprise User that the project data have been completed. The Reporting Periods form
has an Update Period Status Date icon, that, when clicked, sends a time stamp to the Project Snapshot form in the Current Status Date field.
Note that you can take snapshots of some projects at one time. Then, at a later date, take snapshots of other projects without
affecting the first projects' snapshot. A project's snapshot is only over-written if the project's Include checkbox is checked when
updating the snapshot.
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Enterprise Processes
The Enterprise Processes feature allows Users to perform a variety of Cost Management, Engineering, and Field Management functions across
multiple projects simultaneously. By using this feature, it eliminates the need for Users to go into each project individually to calculate project
totals, import accounting data, close reporting periods, and archive data. It also ensures that these functions are performed in a consistent
and efficient manner. For example, you can calculate Control Accounts totals on multiple projects, rather than having to perform the
calculation on each individual project.
The following options are available using the Enterprise Processes feature. Each option provides a picklist to select one or more projects. In
order to perform these functions, the project must be an Enterprise project. These features perform as they would on the project level, with
the exceptions noted below.
Import Cost Accounting Data (see "Import Accounting Data" on page 646) - imports Actuals and Commitment data from an
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Accounting application into PRISM .
Calculate Cost Control Account Totals (see "Calculate Control Account Totals" on page 394) - calculates a project's Control Account
Actuals, Commitments, and Time Phased Data totals. Multiple projects' Control Accounts will be calculated when using this
command. The project's Baseline, Approved, Control, and Financial budgets will not be calculated. The Estimate at Completion will
also not be calculated.
Close Cost Reporting Periods (see "Close Period" on page 410) - closes out Reporting Periods for all projects selected and performs
the calculations and processes that would be run when closing out an individual project.
Import Engineering Actual Hours (see "Import Actual Hours" on page 680) - imports Actual Hours to globally populate Engineering
Accounts or Engineering Documents. You can either import Period Actual Hours or Actual to Date Hours.
Calculate Engineering Totals (see "Calculate Engineering Account Totals" on page 448) - calculates an Engineering Account's Progress
and Time Phased data. This feature at the Enterprise level will not calculate the Engineering Accounts Baseline or Approved Budget.
An Engineering Account's Estimate at Completion will also not be calculated.
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Close Engineering Reporting Periods (see "Close Engineering Period" on page 453) - closes out Reporting Periods for all Engineering
projects selected and performs the calculations and processes that would be run when closing out an individual project.
Import Field Management Actual Data (see "Import Actual Data" on page 685) - imports Actual Quantities and Hours to globally
populate Progress Accounts.
Calculate Field Management Totals (on page 582) - calculates a Progress Account's progress and Time Phased data. This feature at
the Enterprise level will not calculate the Progress Accounts Baseline or Approved Budget. A Progress Account's Estimate at
Completion will also not be calculated.
Close Field Management Reporting Periods (see "Close Field Management Period" on page 588) - closes out Reporting periods for all
Field Management projects selected and performs the calculations and processes that would be run when closing out an individual
project.
Archive Project Data (see "Archive" on page 213) - creates a copy or backup of the project data.
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2) Click the Commitments File Name browse icon, select the Import File Type, either Excel Workbook (*.xlsx) or Excel 97/2003 (*.xls),
and select an Import File and Location.
3) Click the Period Actuals File Name browse icon, select the Import File Type, either Excel Workbook (*.xlsx) or Excel 97/2003 (*.xls),
and select an Import File and Location.
4) Click in the Skip Headers Lines and enter the Number of Header Lines in the import files.
5) By default, the Delete Existing Accounting Data option is checked. Leave this checked to delete any data in the Period Actuals data
pane or the Commitments data pane and import the new data.
a. This will only delete Period Actuals or Commitments that were previously imported. These records are distinguished by the Data
Source being assigned as FIN for financial.
b. Data is only deleted if a corresponding import file is selected. If left unchecked, the imported data is appended to any existing
data in the Period Actuals or the Commitments data panes.
6) By default, the Options radio button is set to None.
a. Click the Calculate Control Account Totals radio button to transfer Period Actuals to the Control Accounts data pane and
associated subpanes.
b. Click the Calculate Totals and Spread Time Phased ETC to transfer Period Actuals to the Controls Accounts data pane and
associated subpanes and re-spread the Estimate to Complete in the Control Accounts-Time Phased Data subpanes.
7) Apply a Filter, if necessary.
8) Check each Project to Import Cost Accounting Data, and click OK.
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Note that the list of Engineering projects available to import Actual Hours is defined by a project's Engineering Settings (on
page 454). If Actual Hours are being entered at the Engineering Document level for the project, Actual Hours cannot be
imported for that project at the Account level and vice versa.
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Cost Management
The Cost Management tab is where a project's cost, schedule, and technical information is imported, entered, and integrated to create a
Performance Measurement Baseline. It is also where actuals and commitments are entered, progress and performance is calculated, variances
are analyzed, and the project is forecast.
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Control Accounts
The Control Accounts data pane is used for managing a specific scope of work and related project activities. A Control Account is a natural
control point for planning and control because it represents the work assigned to one organizational element for one work breakdown
structure (WBS) element. The Control Account ID is a Master Record.
There are several methods you can use to create Control Accounts:
Manual Method - Control Accounts can be manually created in the Control Accounts data pane. Usually this is used when an estimate
and/or a schedule is not being imported. In addition, there are times when an estimate or schedule is imported and all but a few
Control Accounts are created; as an example, Contingency. Any Control Accounts not created from importing an estimate or schedule
can be manually created.
Budget Utilities - Another way to create Control Accounts is by using the Build Account IDs (see "Build Control Account IDs" on page
709) and the Build Element IDs (on page 711) utilities found in the Budget Ribbon group on the Utilities tab. These utilities globally
cross-reference Budget Details and Budget Details-Cost Elements to Control Accounts and Control Account-Cost Elements. Control
Accounts are then created using the Calculate Control Account Totals (on page 394) utility, found in the Calculations Ribbon Group
on the Cost Management tab. This also allows you to transfer budget data. However, schedule data must then be entered using one
of the other three methods.
Schedule Interface Utilities - You can create linkages between Schedule Activities and Control Accounts by enabling the Create
Control Account cross-reference option and the Create Control Account option when importing a Schedule (see "Schedule
(Import/Export)" on page 656). If you import a resource-loaded schedule you can also transfer the budget data as well as schedule
data, to the Control Accounts. If you import a non resource-loaded schedule, you will have to enter budget data using one of the
other three methods.
Import Spreadsheet Data - Budget and Schedule data existing in spreadsheets can be imported using the Import Data From File
utility. The Control Account ID, Description, and Schedule Dates are imported into the Control Account data pane, while the Cost,
Hours, and Quantities are imported by Control Element into the Control Accounts-Control Elements subpanes.
When creating a Control Account there are a number of items to assign which include:
Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) - used to sort, group, summarize, and filter data.
Currency - used when multiple currencies are applied in a project.
Percent Complete Method - used to calculate progress.
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Distribution Curves - algorithms used to spread cost, hours, and quantity values for the Baseline Budget, Approved Budget, Control
Budget, and the Estimate to Complete based on the range of Start to Early Dates. These costs are distributed in the Time Phased Data
subpane.
Schedule Dates - used for time-phasing cost, hours, and quantity values; dates included are the Baseline, Approved, Control, and
Current.
Labor Rate Type - used to indicate how costs are calculated (hours or bare costs planned or forecast) using the Staff Planning (see
"Plans" on page 354) feature or from Schedule Resources (see "Resource Assignments (Schedule Activities)" on page 390).
a. Time and Materials - used when the Time and Materials rate type is assigned to a Control Account. The rate is multiplied by the
labor hours planned against a Labor Category or Employee to derive the direct and indirect costs.
b. Bare Cost Rates - used when the Cost Plus rate type is assigned to a Control Account. The rate is multiplied by the Multipliers
and the hours planned to any Labor Category or Employee to derive the direct and indirect costs. If an Employee is planned and
not just a Labor Category, then the Employees Bare Cost Rate overrides the Category's Bare Cost Rate to calculate the extended
costs. Multipliers can also be applied to bare costs for non-labor Categories.
The Baseline Development (on page 56) process provides additional details on how Control Accounts are created and information entered.
Control Accounts are progressed each Reporting Period (see "Reporting Periods" on page 593), which means certain items on the Control
Accounts data pane will have to be modified.
If the Percent Complete Method is set to MAN, for manual entry, then the current percent complete must be assigned. Otherwise,
this is an automatic calculation when using the Calculate Control Account Totals (on page 394) function.
The Control, Approved, or Current Schedule dates are modified as necessary.
There are several Control Account subpanes in which data is typically entered through a global process.
The Calculate Control Account Totals (on page 394) function is used to calculate Actual totals, Commitment totals, and Progress. The Spread
Time Phased Data (on page 400) calculation is used to globally time phase each Control Account's Baseline Budget, Approved Budget, and ETC
values across the range of Schedule Dates. There is a Calculate Account Totals option on the Control Accounts data pane that allows you to
perform these calculations on an individual Control Account.
The Monitoring and Analysis (on page 61) process provides additional details on how Control Accounts are statused each reporting period.
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User Guide
Note that a description can be applied by transferring the description of a cross-referenced Budget Detail in the Budget Details
data pane to the Control Account or by building the description from a series of Group Code descriptions assigned to the
Control Account.
5) Check the Prime Contract checkbox to allow commitment data from a Prime Contract in the Prime Contracts package to be
transferable. The commitments are transferred using the Calculate Control Accounts Totals feature.
6) If the Integration Engine feature has been enabled, and the Control Account data is intended to be Integrated with an external
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ERP/Accounting system through the PRISM Integration Engine, then click in the ERP Integration Code box and enter an Integration
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Code. The Integration Code is specific to the ERP/Accounting System linked to the PRISM Integration Engine.
ERP Application ERP System Definition
Code
7) Click in the Joint Venture Percent box and enter the Percent of the Control Account's Hours and Cost that is the responsibility of the
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Owner (PRISM User). By adding a percent in this box, it will not affect the Control Account totals or data. The percentage
breakdown will be displayed a Joint Venture Report. This option is enabled by the feature code JVPCT in the license file.
8) Click the WBS ID drop-down and select a WBS ID, if they have been defined for the project.
a. The WBS IDs listed in the drop-down are only those defined at the lowest level of the WBS in the WBS data pane.
b. The WBS may have automatically been assigned when the Control Account was created; depending on whether WBS Masking
(see "Work Breakdown Structure" on page 611) had been applied.
9) Click the Labor Rate Type drop-down and select a Labor Rate Type; either Time and Materials or Cost Plus. This is only necessary if
Labor Hours and Non-labor Bare Costs are developed from Staffing Plans (on page 354) or Schedule Resources (see "Resource
Assignments (Schedule Activities)" on page 390). Employees (on page 261) and/or Categories (see "Enterprise Categories" on page
275) Bare Rates or Time and Material Rates would have to be defined, as well as Indirect Costs (on page 285) and Multipliers (on
page 287).
10) If multiple currencies are tracked on the project, click the Currency ID drop-down and select the Currency ID reflective of the costs
entered in the Control Accounts-Cost Elements subpane and the Control Accounts-Time Phased Data subpane.
a. This field is disabled if the project is not setup to be a Multi-currency project.
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b. If this selection is left blank then PRISM assumes the currency to be the Base Currency defined in the Project Settings form.
c. The Currency ID cannot be changed once Actuals are entered against the account.
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11) Click the Percent Complete Method drop-down and select a Percent Complete Method (see "Percent Complete Method
Calculations" on page 63). This is a system-defined algorithm which is used to calculate the Control Account's percent complete, also
referred to as progress.
a. Set to MAN to manually enter the percent complete when progressing Control Accounts.
b. If this setting is left blank, then the Default Percent Complete Method, defined in the Cost Management Settings (on page 414)
form, is used when progress is calculated.
12) Click in the Baseline, Approved, Control, and Current Schedule Dates boxes and enter the Early Start, Early Finish, Late Start, and
Late Finish Dates.
a. The Baseline Dates reflect the project's baseline schedule. The Baseline Early and Late Dates are used, along with the Baseline
Budget Curve algorithm, to time phase the early and late Baseline Budget.
b. The Approved Dates reflect the project's baseline plus approved schedule changes. The Approved Early and Late Dates are used,
along with the Approved Budget Curve algorithm, to time phase the early and late Approved Budget, as well as the Earned Value
and the Financial Budget.
c. The Control Dates reflect the project's baseline plus Control schedule changes. The Control Early and Late Dates are used, along
with the Control Budget Curve algorithm, to time phase the early and late Control Budget.
d. The Current Dates reflect the current working schedule, also referred to as the forecast schedule. The Current Early and Late
Dates are used, along with the Estimate to Complete Curve algorithm, to time phase the Estimate to Complete.
e. This method of manually entering dates is time consuming. Typically dates are entered and updated globally. Schedule dates
that exist in the Schedule Activities data pane, can be transferred to Control Accounts using the Copy Schedule Dates utility if
cross-references are established between Schedule Activities and Control Accounts.
13) For each Distribution Curve, select the Curve ID drop-down and select a Distribution Curve. These are algorithms for spreading
budgets and forecast data in the Control Accounts-Time Phased Data subpanes. Time phased data is not changed by simply selecting
a curve; you must run the Spread Time Phased Data (on page 400) calculation.
a. Baseline Budget - Baseline Budget is spread across the Early Baseline Schedule Dates.
b. Approved Budget - Approved Budget, Financial Budget, and the Earned Value are spread across the Early Approved Schedule
Dates; Late Approved Budget is spread across the Late Approved Schedule Dates.
c. Control Budget - Control Budget and the Control Earned Value are spread across the Early Control Schedule Dates.
d. Estimate to Complete - Estimate to Complete is spread across the Early Current Schedule Dates; although this can be changed to
use Late Current Schedule Dates or some increment in between.
The table below indicates the different system-defined distribution curves available and how they spread data.
Curve ID Description
Data is entered manually. Caution must be taken to ensure the sum of all the time phased data is equal to the total
MANUAL
data. This is because Totals data and Time Phased data are maintained in separate tables.
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Curve ID Description
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Curve ID Description
The exact distribution of Hours as defined in each Progress Account linked to the Control Account are summarized
PAHPROF and used as the spread of Hours. The Cost and Quantity data are spread using the Hours distribution profile. The
spreading of Baseline, Approved, and Estimate to Complete values are spread independently.
Distributes the budget and forecast quantity and hours exactly as entered in the Progress Accounts-Time Phased
PROGACCT
Data subpane. Cost data is time phased using the same spread.
Estimate to Complete
Estimate at Completion
Exclude Commitments
Baseline Budget - if the Allow Manual Entry - Baseline Budget Data option is enabled.
Approved Budget - if the Allow Manual Entry - Approved Budget Data option is enabled.
Control Budget - if the Allow Manual Entry - Control Budget Data option is enabled.
Financial Budget - if the Allow Manual Entry - Financial Budget Data option is enabled.
Previous EAC - if the Allow Manual Entry - Previous Data option is enabled.
User-defined Amounts A through H
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Note that data can be manually entered in these subpanes. However, PRISM provides many calculations and utilities that are
used to globally transfer data into and calculate data in these subpanes.
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When data is entered in the Budgets, Estimate to Complete, or Estimate at Completion fields, PRISM calculates data in other fields. The
fields calculated and the calculation used are defined below:
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Chapter 10 Cost Management
After budget data has been assigned to Control Elements, there may be a case when a Control Element needs to be deleted. If this does occur,
the Control Account will need to be re-calculated. However, if the data for this deleted element has been time phased, the element needs to
be manually deleted from the time phased data (see "Time Phased Data (Control Accounts)" on page 327) subpane. It is recommended that
the values for Control Element be zeroed out in the time phased subpane.
This cell is only displayed when the Escalation option in the Cost Management Settings (on page 414) form is enabled.
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User Guide
10) In the Cost and Hours Element subpanes only, the Incurred To Date cell displays the total of all Periods Incurred and Historical
Incurred. This is compiled data from the Control Accounts-Period Actuals subpane and the Control Accounts-Actuals History subpane
for each record identified as an Incurred.
11) The Open Commitment cell displays the difference between the Commitment and the Incurred To Date.
12) The Total Commitment cell displays the total of all Commitments. This is compiled data from the Control Accounts-Commitments
subpane.
13) Click in the Estimate to Complete cell and enter the Estimate to Complete value.
14) Click in the Estimate at Completion cell and enter the Estimate at Completion value.
15) The Previous EAC cell displays the previous Reporting Period's EAC. Although rare, the Previous EAC can be entered manually if the
Allow Manual Entry - Previous Data option is enabled in the Cost Management Settings form.
16) The EAC Variance cell displays the difference between the Previous EAC and the Estimate at Completion.
17) Click in the Baseline Budget cell and enter the Baseline Budget.
18) The Approved Budget Changes cell displays the difference between the Approved Budget and the Baseline Budget.
19) Click in the Approved Budget cell and enter the Approved Budget.
20) The Control Budget Changes cell displays the difference between the Control Budget and the Baseline Budget.
21) Click in the Control Budget cell and enter the Control Budget.
22) The Financial Budget Changes cell displays the difference between the Financial Budget and the Baseline Budget.
23) Click in the Financial Budget cell and enter the Financial Budget.
24) The At Completion Variance cell displays the difference between the Approved Budget and the Estimate at Completion.
25) The Actual Rate cell displays the Control Element's Actual to Date value divided by the associated Rate Element's Actual to Date
value. This is only displayed if a Rate Element is associated with the Cost Element in the Control Elements data pane.
26) The ETC Rate cell displays the ETC value divided by the associated Rate Element's ETC value. This is only displayed if a Rate Element is
associated with the Cost Element in the Control Elements data pane.
a. To modify the Estimate to Complete based on the ETC Rate, click in the ETC Rate cell and enter an ETC Rate. The Estimate to
Complete is automatically recalculated.
27) The Rate Element cell displays the Rate Element assigned to the Control Element in the Control Elements data pane.
28) In the Cost and Hours Element subpanes only, check the No Commitments checkbox to exclude all Commitments from the
Commitment to Date Totals. Actual to Date values are still included in the Committed to Date.
29) Click in the User-defined Amount cells (there are up to eight cells) and enter the appropriate values. The User-defined Amount
Labels are defined in the Cost Management Settings (on page 414) form. This data can also be entered in the Control
Accounts-Amount Transactions subpane and transferred into the Control Account-Cost Elements subpane using the Calculate Control
Account Totals (on page 394) function.
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Warning: You can manually enter or modify data in the Time Phased subpanes; however, it is highly recommended that data is
entered through the use of calculations.
In order to enter data manually, the distribution curves would have to be set to MAN, for manual; otherwise the system will overwrite any
manually entered data when the spread calculation is run. When manually adding records to these subpanes, you must select a Control
Element and one or more Reporting Periods.
The following list of fields is tracked in the Time Phased Data subpanes. This list indicates which fields are read-only and which fields will warn
you when you try to manually enter data into the field:
Baseline Budget
Approved Budget
Late Approved Budget Warning when entering data in past periods
Control Budget
Financial Budget
Control Earned Value
Earned Value
Actuals/ETC Read-only for past and current periods
Incurred/ETC
ETC History
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Commitments
Control Budget Changes
Approved Budget Changes Read-only for all periods
EAC Variance
Funding
Cash Flow No manual entry issues
User-defined Amounts
The Baseline Budget, Control Budget, Approved Budget, and Financial Budget fields can be locked so that no data can be modified if the Allow
Manual Entry options are enabled in the Cost Management Settings (on page 414) form.
Note that you can also use the Import/Export Time Phased Data (on page 649) feature and the Change Actual History (on
page 705) utility to change time phased data, as long as you have the appropriate permissions.
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Chapter 10 Cost Management
This cell is only displayed when the Escalation option in the Cost Management Settings (on page 414) form is enabled.
6) The Baseline Budget cell displays the Baseline Budget amount for the Reporting Period.
7) The Approved Budget cell displays the Approved Budget amount for the Reporting Period.
8) The Late Approved Budget cell displays the Approved Budget amount for the Reporting Period, however, the data is spread using the
Late Schedule Dates instead of the Early Schedule Dates.
9) The Control Budget cell displays the Control Budget amount for the Reporting Period.
10) The Financial Budget cell displays the Financial Budget amount for the Reporting Period.
11) The Earned Value cell displays the Earned Value amount for the Reporting Period.
12) The Control Earned Value cell displays the Control Earned Value amount for the Reporting Period. Control Earned Value is
calculated using the Control Budget as opposed to the Approved Budget.
13) The Financial Earned Value cell displays the Financial Earned Value amount for the Reporting Period. Financial Earned Value is
calculated using the Financial Budget as opposed to the Approved Budget.
14) The Actuals/ETC cell displays the Actual amount for the Reporting Period, if the period is the current or any previous periods. This cell
displays the ETC amount for future periods. Actuals and ETC values are displayed in different colors.
Note that Actuals cannot be modified in past Reporting Periods in this subpane. You will need to use either the Actual History
Changes utility or the Import Time Phased Data feature.
15) The Incurred/ETC cell displays the Incurred amount for the Reporting Period, if the period is the current or any previous periods. This
cell displays the ETC amount for future periods. Incurred and ETC values are displayed in different colors.
Note that Incurred values cannot be modified in past Reporting Periods in this subpane. You will need to use either the Actual
History Changes utility or the Import Time Phased Data feature.
16) The Commitments cell displays the Commitment amount for the Reporting Period.
17) The Funding cell displays the Funding amount for the Reporting Period.
18) The Cash Flow cell displays the dollar amount that will be spent for the Reporting Period. Note that this cell is hidden until the Cash
Flow option is enabled in the Cost Management Settings (on page 414) form.
19) The Approved Budget Changes cell displays the difference between the Approved Budget and the Baseline Budget for the Reporting
Period.
20) The Control Budget Changes cell displays the difference between the Control Budget and the Baseline Budget for the Reporting
Period.
21) The EAC Variance cell displays the difference between the Previous Period's Estimate at Completion and the Estimate at Completion
for the Reporting Period. The Previous Period's Estimate at Completion is the value that was entered for the Reporting Period prior to
Closing the Reporting Period.
22) The User-defined Amount cells (there are up to eight cells) display the User-defined Amounts. The fields labels are defined in the Cost
Management Settings (on page 414) form.
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Note that Period Actual data is not reflected in the Control Accounts-Control Element subpanes or the Control Accounts-Time
Phased Data subpanes until the Calculate Control Account Totals function is run.
The Data Source is used to indicate the source of where Period Actual data is from. If a record indicates FIN, REV, or HIS, this data was entered
through an import or calculation. These records, therefore, are read-only and cannot be modified in the Control Accounts-Period Actuals
subpane unless the data is deleted and new data is re-imported.
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User Guide
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b. If this selection is left blank then PRISM assumes the currency to be the Base Currency defined in the Project Settings form.
Note that there are a few rare occasions where the Historical Actuals need to be modified. The Change Actual History utility is
the best process for making these changes.
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6) The Scope cell displays Scope Information that describes the Actual or Incurred record. This could be an employee's name, a
description of a purchased item, or the name of a specific expense such as airfare.
7) The Data Source displays the Source where the data was imported or entered from.
8) The Period cell displays the Reporting Period when the Actuals were entered.
9) The Period Title cell displays the Reporting Period's Title.
10) The Quantity Element ID cell displays the Quantity Element selected.
11) The Quantity cell displays the Actual Quantity for the period.
12) The Hours Element ID displays the Hours Element selected.
13) The Hours cell displays the Actual Hours for the period.
14) The Cost Element ID displays the Cost Element selected.
15) The Cost cell displays the Actual Cost for the period.
16) The Actuals / Incurred cell displays if the data affects Both Actuals and Incurred, or Actuals Only, or Incurred Only.
17) The Post Date cell displays the Date the Actuals were posted.
18) The Employee ID cell displays the Employee's Identification Number.
19) The Equipment / Material ID cell displays an identification of the equipment or materials purchased.
20) Click in the Vendor ID cell and enter a Vendor ID.
21) The Reference Code cell displays the Reference Code entered, which could be some alternative coding such as charge codes from a
contractor's financial system.
22) The Original Currency Cost cell displays the Actual Cost in its Original Currency, if it is different from the Control Account's currency.
a. This field is disabled if the project is not setup to be a Multi-currency project.
23) The Original Currency ID displays the Currency ID selected.
a. This field is disabled if the project is not setup to be a Multi-currency project.
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b. If this selection is left blank then PRISM assumes the currency to be the Base Currency defined in the Project Settings form.
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Typically, Commitment data is imported into PRISM using the Import Accounting Data feature. However, there are times when you need to
manually enter additional Commitments. Whether you enter Commitments using the import process or you enter data manually, the data is
populated in the Commitments data pane and the Control Accounts-Commitments subpane. You can enter data and make adjustments in
either pane and they are reflected in the other. Commitments are not reflected in Control Accounts until the Calculate Control Accounts Totals
calculation is run.
The Contract/PO, Item and Equipment/Material ID fields are used for entering specifics about a Contract pay item, a Purchase Order line
item, or the type of equipment or material purchased. However, if you do not plan on entering this type of data, these fields can be utilized
for other purposes.
You can assign any Commitment record as a Pending or Forecast commitment. A Pending commitment is a commitment that has not yet been
approved and can be included or hidden in Commitment reports. A Forecast commitment allows you to assign a commitment to a future
Reporting Period where the commitment is expected to be paid. In addition, Pending and Forecast commitment values are not summarized in
other Control Accounts subpanes, which include Performance, Control Elements, and Time Phased Data.
Note that Commitment data is not reflected in the Control Accounts-Control Element subpanes or the Control Accounts-Time
Phased Data subpane until the Calculate Control Account Totals calculation is run.
The commitment options selected will affect how commitment values are calculated.
The Data Source is used to indicate the source of the Commitment data. If a record indicates FIN, CON, or PRO, this data was entered through
an import or calculation. These records, therefore, are read-only and cannot be modified in the Commitments data pane or the Control
Accounts-Commitments subpane unless the data is deleted and new data is re-imported.
To Enter Commitments:
1) Select Cost Management > Cost > Control Accounts.
2) Locate a Control Account.
3) Click the Commitments subpane tab.
4) Click the Add Record icon.
5) Click in the Contract/PO cell and enter a Contract or Purchase Order Number, if applicable.
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6) Click in the Item cell and enter an Item ID or Tag Number if the Contract or Purchase Order is associated with a piece of equipment or
material or a pay item.
7) Click in the Revision cell and enter a Revision Number for the Commitment.
8) Click in the Scope cell and enter Scope Information to help describe the Commitment record. This could be a description of a
purchased item or a contract.
9) Leave the Data Source drop-down at the default setting of MAN, which identifies a manual entry.
10) If quantities are tracked, click the Quantity Element ID drop-down and select a Quantity Element. Quantity Elements are defined in
the Control Element form.
11) If quantities are tracked, click in the Quantity cell and enter the Committed Quantity.
12) Click the Hours Element ID drop-down and select an Hours Element. Hours Elements are defined in the Control Element form.
13) Click in the Hours cell and enter the Committed Hours.
14) Click the Cost Element ID drop-down and select a Cost Element. Cost Elements are defined in the Control Element form.
15) Click in the Cost cell and enter the Committed Costs.
16) Click in the Post Date cell and enter the Date the Commitments were posted.
17) Click the Future drop-down and select a Future Commitment type, if necessary.
a. Pending - if the Commitment is Pending, meaning it does not have final approval.
b. Forecast - if the Commitment is Forecast to be paid in a future Reporting Period. The Post Date must be assigned a date in a
Reporting Period later than the current period in order for the Commitment to be forecast. If the Post Date is in the current
period, the Commitment will not be forecast.
18) Click in the Equipment/Material ID cell and enter an Equipment ID or a Material ID the Commitment is associated with.
19) Click the Vendor ID cell and enter a Vendor ID. A Vendor ID includes the list of Suppliers, Contractors, or Owners.
20) Click in the Reference Code box and enter a Reference Code, which could be some alternative coding such as charge codes from a
contractor's financial system.
21) If the Commitment is set to Forecast in the Future cell, the Period drop-down menu will be enabled. Click the Period drop-down and
select a Reporting Period at which the Commitment is expected to be paid. A Post Date must also be assigned in the selected
Reporting Period in order to forecast the Commitment.
22) Click in the Original Currency Cost cell and enter the Committed Cost in its Original Currency, if it is different from the Control
Account's currency.
a. This field is disabled if the project is not setup to be a Multi-currency project.
23) If the project tracks Multiple Currencies, click the Original Currency ID drop-down and select a Currency ID.
a. This field is disabled if the project is not setup to be a Multi-currency project.
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b. If this selection is left blank then PRISM assumes the currency to be the Base Currency defined in the Project Settings form.
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Note that if you use this subpane for entering Changes the change status must also be assigned, which can only be performed in
the Budget/EAC Changes (on page 358) data pane.
You can also use this subpane to assign an existing Trend (see "Trends" on page 377) to a Change. This eliminates the need for re-entering
data that was previously developed in the Trend.
A Budget/EAC Change that has the Final Status checked is locked and cannot be modified. In addition, a Change cannot be added to a Control
Account if the Change's Final Status has already been checked.
To Enter Changes:
1) Select Cost Management > Cost > Control Accounts.
2) Locate a Control Account.
3) Click the Changes subpane tab.
4) Click the Add Record icon.
5) Click the Trend ID drop-down and select a Trend ID. A Trend must have been previously created in the Trends data pane. The
Trend Description is also displayed in the Trend Description cell. Note that a Trend can be associated with multiple Changes and
multiple Trends can be associated with one Change.
6) Click the Change ID drop-down, and select a Change ID. A Change must have been previously created in the Budget/EAC Changes
data pane. The Change Description is also displayed in the Change Description cell.
7) Click in the Reference Code cell and enter a Reference Code. This could be any alternative numbering system such as one used by
the Client.
8) Click in the Item cell and enter an Item Number which is used to order the items of the Change.
9) Click in the Scope cell and enter a brief Description of the change.
10) Click the Quantity Element ID drop-down and select a Quantity Element ID.
11) Click in the Change Quantity cell and enter the potential change in Quantity.
a. If additional Quantity Elements are potentially changed on the Control Account, add additional records.
b. If the Advanced Change Management option in Project Settings is selected, then three Quantity fields are displayed; Approved
Budget Change Quantity, Control Budget Change Quantity, and EAC Change Quantity. Using the advanced options allows you
to enter different values for each of these budgets and the forecast.
12) Click the Hours Element ID drop-down and select an Hours Element ID.
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13) Click in the Change Hours cell and enter the potential change in Hours.
a. If additional Hours Elements are potentially changed on the Control Account, add additional records.
b. If the Advanced Change Management option in Project Settings is selected, then three Hours fields are displayed; Approved
Budget Change Hours, Control Budget Change Hours, and EAC Change Hours. Using the advanced options allows you to enter
different values for each of these budgets and the forecast.
14) Click the Cost Element ID drop-down and select a Cost Element ID.
15) Click in the Change Cost cell and enter the potential change in Cost.
a. If additional Cost Elements are potentially changed on the Control Account, add additional records.
b. If the Advanced Change Management option in Project Settings is selected, then three Cost fields are displayed; Approved
Budget Change Cost, Control Budget Change Cost, and EAC Change Cost. Using the advanced options allows you to enter
different values for each of these budgets and the forecast.
16) Click in the Post Date cell and enter the Date the change was posted.
17) Click in the Original Cost cell and enter the Original Cost.
18) Click in the Original Currency Cost cell and enter the Change Cost in its Original Currency if it is different from the Control Account's
currency.
a. This field is disabled if the project is not setup to be a Multi-currency project.
19) If the project tracks Multiple Currencies, click the Original Currency ID drop-down and select a Currency ID.
a. This field is disabled if the project is not setup to be a Multi-currency project.
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b. If this selection is left blank then PRISM assumes the currency to be the Base Currency defined in the Project Settings form.
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3) Click on the New Reviewer/Approver Type drop-down in the navigation toolbar and select either Users or Teams.
a. The Add and Delete Record icons are not available unless you have Change Management Run Process permissions.
4) Click the Copy Reviewers/Approvers icon to copy Users or Teams from an existing Control Account.
5) To change a User/Team's Approval Authority, click the Authority ID drop-down and select an Approval Authority.
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Note that the Budget Details data pane is where the cross-referencing of Budget Details to Control Accounts is performed.
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User Guide
10) Click in the Expiration Date cell and enter the Expiration Date for the funding source. This is for information only and does not affect
time phased data.
11) Click in the Original Currency Cost cell and enter the Funding Cost in its Original Currency, if it is different from the Control Account's
currency.
a. This field is disabled if the project is not setup to be a Multi-currency project.
12) If the project tracks Multiple Currencies, click the Original Currency ID drop-down and select a Currency ID.
a. This field is disabled if the project is not setup to be a Multi-currency project.
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b. If this selection is left blank then PRISM assumes the currency to be the Base Currency defined in the Project Settings form.
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14) Click in the Cost cell and enter the amount in Cost. If additional Cost Elements are necessary on the Control Account, add additional
records.
15) Click in the Post Date cell and enter the Date the amount was posted. This date is necessary for time phasing the Amount
Transactions.
16) Click in the Original Currency Cost cell and enter the Cost in its Original Currency, if it is different from the Control Account's currency.
a. This field is disabled if the project is not setup to be a Multi-currency project.
17) If the project tracks Multiple Currencies, click the Original Currency ID drop-down and select a Currency ID.
a. This field is disabled if the project is not setup to be a Multi-currency project.
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b. If this selection is left blank then PRISM assumes the currency to be the Base Currency defined in the Project Settings form.
Milestone
Items Percentage Calculation
Calculation
Note that the Engineering package must be enabled on the project to view this subpane.
9) The Estimate at Completion Hours cell displays the Estimated Hours to complete the Engineering tasks.
10) The Baseline Budget Hours cell displays the Baseline Hours budgeted for the Engineering tasks.
11) The Baseline Start cell displays the Baseline Start date when the Engineering Account tasks are planned to begin.
12) The Baseline Finish cell displays the Baseline Finish date when the Engineering Account tasks are planned to be completed.
13) The Approved Budget Hours cell displays the Approved Hours for the Engineering tasks.
14) The Approved Start cell displays the Approved Start Date when the Engineering Account tasks are planned to begin.
15) The Approved Finish cell displays the Approved Finish Date when the Engineering Account tasks are planned to be completed.
16) The Current Start cell displays the Current Start Date when the Engineering Account tasks are forecast to begin.
17) The Current Finish cell displays the Current Finish Date when the Engineering Account tasks are forecast to be completed.
Note that the Field Management package must be enabled on the project to view this subpane.
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15) The Actual/ETC Hours cell displays the Actual Hours spent and the Estimated Hours to complete the Progress Account.
16) The EAC Hours cell displays the Estimated Hours at completion of the Progress Account.
17) The Baseline Start cell displays the Baseline Start date when the Progress Account activities are planned to begin.
18) The Baseline Finish cell displays the Baseline Finish date when the Progress Account activities are planned to be completed.
19) The Approved Start cell displays the Approved Start Date when the Progress Account activities are planned to begin.
20) The Approved Finish cell displays the Approved Finish Date when the Progress Account activities are planned to be completed.
21) The Current Start cell displays the Current Start Date when the Progress Account activities are forecast to begin.
22) The Current Finish cell displays the Current Finish Date when the Progress Account activities are forecast to be completed.
To Link Documents:
1) Select Cost Management > Cost > Control Accounts.
2) Locate a Control Account.
3) Click the Documents subpane tab.
4) Click the Add Record icon.
5) Click in the Document cell and enter a Document Number or some other method for identifying the document record.
6) Click in the Document Description cell and enter a Document Description or Title of the document.
7) Click in the Provider cell and enter the Name of the entity that provided or originated the document.
8) Click in the Revision cell and enter the document's Revision Number.
9) Click in the Revision Date cell and enter the document's Revision Date.
10) Click the Document Type ID drop-down and select a Document Type.
11) Click in the Sort Code cell and enter an alphanumeric Sort Code to modify how Documents are ordered in drop-down lists and forms.
12) Click the Document File browse icon and select the document's File Location and File Name.
a. The default Folder Path for Documents is defined in Cost Management Settings (on page 414).
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b. After a Document is linked, an Application icon appears next to the browse icon that corresponds to the file's extension. Click
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the Application icon and the Document is opened in the application, if the PRISM User has access to the application. This
process is available for most standard Microsoft Office applications.
Note that you have control over which Quantity values entered in the Control Accounts-Quantity Elements subpane are
summarized in this form. The Include in Totals checkbox, found in the Control Accounts-Quantity Elements subpane, is the
indicator that allows the Quantity Element record to be included in the Performance Data subpane.
Commitments
The Commitments data pane is used to enter or view Commitment data. Commitment data is entered separately as Cost, Hours, and Quantity
values.
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Either Open Commitments or Total Commitments are defined for use on the project in the Cost Management Settings form. Open
Commitments are the remaining value of a commitment to be paid. Open Commitments are replaced in the Control Accounts-Commitments
subpane each Reporting Period. Total Commitments are incremental values that are added to this subpane. The sum of the committed value
reflects the total value of the committed costs.
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Typically, Commitment data is imported into PRISM using the Import Accounting Data feature. However, there are times when you need to
manually enter additional Commitments. Whether you enter Commitments using the import process or you enter data manually, the data is
populated in the Commitments data pane and the Control Accounts-Commitments subpane. You can enter data and make adjustments in
either pane and they are reflected in the other. Commitments are not reflected in Control Accounts until the Calculate Control Accounts Totals
calculation is run.
The Contract/PO, Item and Equipment/Material ID fields are used for entering specifics about a Contract pay item, a Purchase Order line
item, or the type of equipment or material purchased. However, if you do not plan on entering this type of data, these fields can be utilized
for other purposes.
You can assign any Commitment record as a Pending or Forecast commitment. A Pending commitment is a commitment that has not yet been
approved and can be included or hidden in Commitment reports. A Forecast commitment allows you to assign a commitment to a future
Reporting Period where the commitment is expected to be paid. In addition, Pending and Forecast commitment values are not summarized in
other Control Accounts subpanes, which include Performance, Control Elements, and Time Phased Data.
Note that Commitment data is not reflected in the Control Accounts-Control Element subpanes or the Control Accounts-Time
Phased Data subpane until the Calculate Control Account Totals calculation is run.
The commitment options selected will affect how commitment values are calculated.
The Data Source is used to indicate the source of the Commitment data. If a record indicates FIN, CON, or PRO, this data was entered through
an import or calculation. These records, therefore, are read-only and cannot be modified in the Commitments data pane or the Control
Accounts-Commitments subpane unless the data is deleted and new data is re-imported.
To Enter Commitments:
1) Select Cost Management > Cost > Commitments.
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2) Click the Add Record icon, select one or more Control Account IDs that the Commitments are applied against, and click OK. The
Description displays the Control Account's Description.
3) Click in the Contract/PO cell and enter a Contract or Purchase Order Number, if applicable.
4) Click in the Item cell and enter an Item ID or Tag Number if the Contract or Purchase Order is associated with a piece of equipment or
material or a pay item.
5) Click in the Revision cell and enter a Revision Number for the Commitment.
6) Click in the Scope cell and enter Scope Information to help describe the Commitment record. This could be a description of a
purchased item or a contract.
7) Leave the Data Source drop-down at the default setting of MAN, which identifies a manual entry.
8) If quantities are tracked, click the Quantity Element ID drop-down and select a Quantity Element. Quantity Elements are defined in
the Control Element form.
9) If quantities are tracked, click in the Quantity cell and enter the Committed Quantity.
10) Click the Hours Element ID drop-down and select an Hours Element. Hours Elements are defined in the Control Element form.
11) Click in the Hours cell and enter the Committed Hours.
12) Click the Cost Element ID drop-down and select a Cost Element. Cost Elements are defined in the Control Element form.
13) Click in the Cost cell and enter the Committed Costs.
14) Click in the Post Date cell and enter the Date the Commitments were posted.
15) Click the Future drop-down and select a Future Commitment type, if necessary.
a. Pending - if the Commitment is Pending, meaning it does not have final approval.
b. Forecast - if the Commitment is Forecast to be paid in a future Reporting Period. The Post Date must be assigned a date in a
Reporting Period later than the current period in order for the Commitment to be forecast. If the Post Date is in the current
period, the Commitment will not be forecast.
16) Click in the Equipment/Material ID cell and enter an Equipment ID or a Material ID the Commitment is associated with.
17) Click the Vendor ID cell and enter a Vendor ID. A Vendor ID includes the list of Suppliers, Contractors, or Owners.
18) Click in the Reference Code box and enter a Reference Code, which could be some alternative coding such as charge codes from a
contractor's financial system.
19) If the Commitment is set to Forecast in the Future cell, the Period drop-down menu will be enabled. Click the Period drop-down and
select a Reporting Period at which the Commitment is expected to be paid. A Post Date must also be assigned in the selected
Reporting Period in order to forecast the Commitment.
20) Click in the Original Currency Cost cell and enter the Committed Cost in its Original Currency, if it is different from the Control
Account's currency.
a. This field is disabled if the project is not setup to be a Multi-currency project.
21) If the project tracks Multiple Currencies, click the Original Currency ID drop-down and select a Currency ID.
a. This field is disabled if the project is not setup to be a Multi-currency project.
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b. If this selection is left blank then PRISM assumes the currency to be the Base Currency defined in the Project Settings form.
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Period Actuals
The Period Actuals data pane is used to manually enter or view the accounting data for the current Reporting Period, which includes Actuals,
Accruals, and Incurred data. This data is entered separately as Cost, Hours, and Quantity values. This data pane does not require unique
records meaning that several Period Actual records can have the same Control Account and Control Element.
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Typically, the Reporting Period data is imported into PRISM using the Import Accounting Data feature. However, there are times when you
need to manually enter additional period data - for instance, adding Accruals, making adjustments to the Actuals, or identifying Actuals as
Incurred values.
Whether you enter accounting data using the import process or you enter data manually, the data is populated in the Period Actuals data
pane and the Control Accounts-Period Actuals subpane. You can enter data and make adjustments in either pane and they are reflected in the
other.
The Actuals entered are applied as both Actuals and Incurred values. If you need to track Incurred data separately from Actual data, then each
Actual record can be identified as Actuals Only, Incurred Only, or as Both, which is the default method.
The Contract/PO, Item and Equipment/Material fields are used for entering specifics about a Contract pay item, a Purchase Order line item,
or the type of equipment or material purchased. However, if you do not plan on entering this type of data, these fields can be utilized for
other purposes.
Note that Period Actual data is not reflected in the Control Accounts-Control Element subpanes or the Control Accounts-Time
Phased Data subpanes until the Calculate Control Account Totals function is run.
The Data Source is used to indicate the source of where Period Actual data is from. If a record indicates FIN, REV, or HIS, this data was entered
through an import or calculation. These records, therefore, are read-only and cannot be modified in the Control Accounts-Period Actuals
subpane unless the data is deleted and new data is re-imported.
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20) Click in the Original Currency Cost cell and enter the Actual Cost in its Original Currency, if it is different from the Control Account's
currency.
a. This field is disabled if the project is not setup to be a Multi-currency project.
21) If the project tracks Multiple Currencies, click the Original Currency ID drop-down and select a Currency ID.
a. This field is disabled if the project is not setup to be a Multi-currency project.
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b. If this selection is left blank then PRISM assumes the currency to be the Base Currency defined in the Project Settings form.
Variance Analysis
When performing Variance Analysis, the first thing to do is create a Variance Threshold Specification. This Specification is where the Variance
Level and Variance Thresholds are defined. The Specification saves these settings so they can be accessed at a later time. This is useful
because it retains a standard approach to analyzing variances from one Reporting Period to another.
It may be necessary to create more than one Variance Threshold Specification for a project based on different reasons. One such reason is
that you may want to analyze variances at a certain level for the project manager and the variance analysis may be performed at a higher or
summarized level for the client.
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PRISM allows you to define the level at which Variances are analyzed. The lowest level possible is the individual Control Account. Using this
setting, any Control Account where the Control Account's Variances exceed the thresholds will be included in the list of Variances to explain.
However, the Control Account level may be too detailed when it comes to reporting Variances to the client. Therefore, you can choose a
higher level at which variances are analyzed. The levels you can choose from are based on Enterprise Groups or Groups.
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PRISM also allows you to define the type of data at which variances are analyzed. Depending on how performance is being measured on a
project, analysis can be performed on a project's Actuals or Incurred data.
Variance Analysis is used to determine the reasons for variances and define ways to correct them. Every Control Account will have variances
but, relatively speaking, some variances are minor and others are significant. You do not want to expend effort on analyzing insignificant
variances.
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PRISM allows you to assign Variance Threshold Settings to calculate significant Variances. Only those Control Accounts (or other Variance
Level) that exceed the established Variance Thresholds are identified in a structure where they are then analyzed, explained, and reported.
Thresholds are defined in terms of Variance (in a cost format), Variance Percentage, and Performance Index. For instance, if the Control
Account's performance index exceeds the Performance Index Threshold then that Control Account will be included in a list of Control
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Accounts that exceed the thresholds. PRISM independently analyzes each of these Variance Thresholds for both Cost and Schedule.
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There are two levels of negative variance thresholds and one positive variance threshold that are assigned. The Critical threshold defines the
most negative variance threshold. A Variance that exceeds this threshold is highly significant and must be reported and actions need to be
taken to mitigate the issue. The Warning threshold defines a less stringent negative variance threshold. It is used to identify variances that
could later become significant issues. Management can decide if mitigating actions need to be taken or not. The upper threshold definition is
called Favorable and is used to identify positive variances. This is useful for reporting on areas of the project with excellent performance.
Management can use this to provide positive feedback to the project staff and communicate positive aspects of the project to the client.
The table below provides a basic example of how these three Variance Thresholds are set.
Note that critical and Warning indicators are exceeded if the values being evaluated are less than the Variance Thresholds set. A
Favorable indicator is exceeded if the value being evaluated is greater than the Variance Threshold set.
The table below indicates five Control Accounts and the calculated Cost and Schedule Variance in terms of Variance, Variance Percentage, and
Performance Index using the example Variance Thresholds above. Variances exceeding the Critical threshold are highlighted in Red, those
exceeding the Warning threshold are highlighted in Yellow, and those exceeding the Favorable threshold are highlighted in Green. If I was
only interested in reporting on how those Control Accounts exceed the Critical threshold, then I would report on Control Accounts 3 and 4.
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PRISM also allows you to develop and apply these variance thresholds to the Period, To Date, and the At Completion data. The Period data
is derived only from the current Reporting Period data. The To Date data is cumulative data from the beginning of the project to the current
Reporting Period. And the At Completion data uses the Budget at Completion, the Estimate at Completion, and the actual and forecast Earned
Value data.
The Variance Threshold Settings matrix below indicates the multiple thresholds that are set in the Variance Threshold pane. When a new
Variance Thresholds Specification is created, by default, no data is entered in these boxes. This means that no variance analysis calculation can
be run for that Specification. You can enter a threshold value in any of these panes and, by doing so, that threshold is activated and will be
calculated when the Variance Calculation is run. Any threshold value can be removed by highlighting and deleting the value.
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8) To remove a Variance Threshold, click in any Variance Threshold box, highlight the Variance Threshold Value, and click DELETE.
9) Apply a Filter, if necessary.
Once Variance Thresholds are defined, the next step is to calculate the Variances that exceed thresholds. For each Variance that exceeds a
Variance Threshold, a record is added to the Variances Exceeding Thresholds navigation pane. If the Variance Level is set to Control Accounts,
a list of Control Accounts is added. If the Variance Level is set to a Group or Enterprise Group, a list of Group IDs is added.
For each record added, the Variances Exceeding Thresholds data pane indicates the Budget, Earned, and Actual data in terms of cost. It also
displays the Variance, Variance Percentage, and Performance Index for Cost and Schedule.
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Each Variance Exceeding Thresholds is a significant variance which must be addressed. PRISM allows you to generate Variance Explanations
for each of these records using four separate memo fields:
Cause - the root cause or problem that created the variances.
Action - the actions that will be or that have occurred to correct or mitigate the problem.
Impact - the impact the problem will have to the specific area of the project and to the project as a whole if the corrective action is
taken. This should include impact to both the cost and schedule.
Explanation - any additional information explaining issues specific to the variance.
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Plans
The Plans data pane is used to create or locate records on which detailed budget and forecast planning for Labor and Expenses is developed.
The records are actually Control Accounts. Typically, you would create Control Accounts in the Control Accounts data pane; however you can
use the Plans data pane to create Control Accounts. If you use this method, you will still need to use the Control Accounts data pane to fill-in
details that cannot be entered in the Plans data pane.
When creating Plans there are a number of items to assign. These items are automatically assigned to the Control Account associated with
each Plan record:
Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) - used to sort, group, summarize, and filter data.
Currency - used when multiple currencies are applied in a project.
Labor Rate Type - used to indicate how costs are calculated (hours or bare costs planned or forecast) using the Staffing Plan (see
"Plans" on page 354) feature or from Schedule Resources (see "Resource Assignments (Schedule Activities)" on page 390).
Time and Materials - used when the Time and Materials rate type is assigned to a Control Account. The rate is multiplied by the
labor hours planned against a Labor Category or Employee to derive the direct and indirect costs.
Bare Cost Rates - used when the Cost Plus rate type is assigned to a Control Account. The rate is multiplied by the Multipliers and
the hours planned to any Labor Category or Employee to derive the direct and indirect costs. If an Employee is planned and not
just a Labor Category, then the Employees Bare Cost Rate overrides the Category's Bare Cost Rate to calculate the extended
costs. Multipliers can also be applied to bare costs for non-labor Categories.
To Develop Plans:
1) Select Cost Management > Staffing Plan > Plans.
2) Locate a Control Account, or
3) Click the Add Record icon.
4) Click in the Account ID box and enter a Control Account ID.
5) Click in the Description box and enter a Control Account Description.
6) Click the WBS ID drop-down and select a WBS Element.
7) Click the Labor Rate Type drop-down and select a Labor Rate Type; either Time and Materials or Cost Plus.
a. This is only necessary if you plan to calculate costs on Control Accounts from Labor Hours and Non-labor Bare Costs entered on
Staffing Plans (on page 354) or Schedule Resources (see "Resource Assignments (Schedule Activities)" on page 390). In addition,
Employees (on page 261) and/or Categories (see "Enterprise Categories" on page 275) Bare Rates and/or Time and Material
Rates would have to be defined, as well as Indirect Costs (on page 285) and Multipliers (on page 287).
b. Changes made to these fields are also reflected in the Control Accounts data pane.
8) The Currency box displays the Currency assigned to the Control Account.
a. Changes made to these fields are also reflected in the Control Accounts data pane
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9) The Percent Complete box displays the Control Account's current Percent Complete. This field is read-only.
10) The Early Start and Finish Dates for the Baseline, Approved, Control, and Current schedule are displayed.
a. These dates are revised to match the Budget Plan or ETC Plan when the Calculate Control Account Totals (on page 394) function
is run. The Use Staffing Plan options would have to be selected.
b. Changes made to these fields are also reflected in the Control Accounts data pane
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You may have some amount of budgeted or forecast hours or cost that you are not able to completely plan for in the Reporting Periods. You
can keep track of this value by entering it in the Undistributed Amount cell. This amount will not be distributed across time. In fact, the Total
Amount is equal to the sum of amounts distributed across the Reporting Periods plus the Undistributed Amount. As an example, if 300 Hrs
were distributed across three periods, and 200 Hrs were entered as Undistributed Amount, then the Total Amount will be 500 Hrs.
Note that the Undistributed Amount only applies to Hours and Cost. It does not apply to FTEs.
The Budget Plan includes all the Reporting Periods defined for the project. The ETC Plan only includes the Reporting Periods after the current
Reporting Period. The Budget Plan can be copied to the ETC Plan but only the data entered into the Reporting Periods after the current
Reporting Period is copied.
If you want to calculate labor resource costs on Control Accounts using the hours from staff plans, you can do this using a calculation that
multiplies the hours by a Time and Materials Rate. The standard and alternative Time and Materials Rates are defined in the Categories-Rates
by Reporting Period subpane. The standard rate is always used unless you select an alternative Time and Materials Rate for any Budget Plan
or ETC Plan record.
6) To assign or modify the Category ID, click the Category ID drop-down and select a Category ID.
a. If a labor Category ID is assigned to the Employee in the Staff data pane, the Category ID is automatically populated.
b. You can assign a labor Category ID without assigning an Employee ID.
c. If you assign an expense Category ID, it will NOT include an Employee ID.
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7) If you plan to use Alternative Time and Materials Rates to calculate costs, click the Alt T&M drop-down and select an Alternative
Time and Materials Rate Label.
a. Only the Alternative Time and Materials Rate Labels defined in Enterprise Settings (on page 304) are displayed.
b. Alternative Time and Material Rates are defined in the Categories-Rates by Reporting Period (see "Rates By
Enterprise/Reporting Period (Categories)" on page 276) subpane.
8) If the plan record is associated with a Budget/EAC Change, click the Change ID drop-down and select a Change ID. If a Change ID is
assigned to a Budget or ETC Plan, the record will be excluded from the Control Account Baseline Budget calculations. Also, if a Change
ID has a Change Status that is not adding Change amounts to the Approved Budget, the record will be excluded for Approved Budget
calculations.
Note that this process does not use Hours or Cost data assigned to the Budget/EAC Change to populate the Plans.
9) The Description cell is automatically populated with either the Employee Name or the Category Description, as defined in the
Employee data pane or the Categories data pane, respectively. To modify the Description, click in the Description box and enter a
new Description.
a. This process does not modify the descriptions in the Employee data pane or the Categories data pane.
10) For Plan records assigned to a labor Category ID, click the Hours Element ID drop-down and select an Hours Element.
11) Click the Cost Element ID drop-down and select a Cost Element.
12) If you want to spread a total value across a range of Reporting Periods, click in the Total Amount cell and enter a Total Amount value.
a. The value must be Cost, Hours, or FTEs as defined by the Data Unit.
b. Leave this blank if you want to enter Cost, Hours, or FTEs by Reporting Period.
13) Click the Data Unit drop-down and select a Data Unit.
a. If the Category Type is set to Labor, you have the option of choosing the FTE or Hour data units.
b. If the Category Type is set to something other than Labor, the Cost data unit will be utilized.
14) Click in the Remarks cell and enter any Remarks to further describe or comment on the Plan record.
15) If there is a portion of the total Budget or Forecast that you are not accounting for in the Plan, you can keep track of that amount
separately. Click in the Undistributed Amount cell and enter the Undistributed Amount.
a. The value must be Cost, Hours, or FTEs as defined by the Data Unit.
b. The Total Amount is the combination of the amount spread across time plus the Undistributed Amount.
16) To enter the Budget or Forecast by Reporting Period, click in a Reporting Period cell and enter the Amount Budgeted or Forecast for
that Period.
a. Repeat for each Reporting Period until the Total Amount planned or forecast is entered.
b. The Total Amount cell indicates the sum of all the Reporting Periods for Hours and Cost.
17) To spread the Total Amount through a range of Reporting Periods:
a. Click the Start Period drop-down and select the Reporting Period where the spreading of the Total Amount begins.
b. Click the End Period drop-down and select the Reporting Period where the spreading of the Total Amount ends.
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c. Select one or more Plan records. You can click on one record and drag the cursor to select a range of Plan records.
d. Click the Spread Budget or Spread ETC icon to spread the Total Amounts for each Plan record selected.
18) In the ETC Plan, click the Copy from Budget icon to copy all of the records in the Budget Plan subpane into the ETC Plan subpane.
a. Only the amounts from the Reporting Period after the current Reporting Period are copied.
Staff
The Staff data pane is used for two purposes. First, the list of employees for your company may be extensive. When adding employees to the
Budget Plan subpane or the ETC Plan subpane, it may be inconvenient to search for employees from such a large list. By adding employees to
the Staff data pane, you are reducing the list of employees available for planning purposes to just those working on the project.
The second reason for using the Staff data pane is to link a Labor Category to the Employee. Thus, when adding an employee to the Budget
Plans or ETC Plans, the labor Category is automatically assigned.
Budget/EAC Changes
The Budget/EAC Changes data pane is used for entering changes to the baseline or the forecast. The changes can affect Cost, Hours, and
Quantity data. A Change can be used to identify various types of changes including:
Approved Scope Changes
Budget Shifts
Contingency Draw-down
EAC Modifications
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Typically, Budget/EAC Changes are used to identify changes to the Baseline Budget. Changes can affect the Approved Budget, Control Budget,
Financial Budget, as well as the Estimate at Completion associated with each Control Account. How they affect the budget and forecast is
dependent upon the Change Status (on page 273) assigned to the Change.
If the type of change is a Budget Shift, then the Total Hours and Cost should equal zero because you are just moving hours and cost from one
place to another. For Contingency Draw-downs, the Contingency budget may only have Cost with no hours associated with it. Therefore, the
Total Cost should be zero because you are shifting cost from Contingency to other Control Accounts. However, the Total Hours will be a
positive number because there are no hours to draw-down from the Contingency budget.
During the life of a Budget/EAC Change, the Change may need to be re-statused. For instance, when a Change is first created, the assigned
status may be Pending. When the client gives the Notice to Proceed, the status is changed to reflect this condition. Once the client gives
formal approval, the status is changed to Approved. If, at any time, the Scope Change is withdrawn or deleted, the status is changed to
indicate this situation.
The Final Status checkbox is enabled to lock the Budget/EAC Change, disallowing any changes to be made to the Change. This also locks the
Change so it cannot be added to a Control Account from the Control Accounts-Budget/EAC Change Breakdown subpane. You can always
uncheck the Final Status checkbox if alterations are necessary. This just ensures that the finalized Change is not inadvertently modified or
added to a Control Account.
Change data can originate as a Trend or it can originate as a Risk. If a Budget/EAC Change uses data from a Risk, the Change will be identified
as a Risk Change. The Copy Risks to Changes (on page 707) utility is used to copy the Control Hours and Control Costs from the Risks-Items
subpane.
The Change Management process describes the process flow for developing Trends, Risks, and Budget/EAC Changes.
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9) Click in the Status Date box and enter the Date when the Change Status ID was updated.
10) Once the Status of the Budget/EAC Change is considered finalized, meaning it is not planned to be changed, check the Final Status
checkbox.
a. Enabling this option locks the Budget/EAC Change so that no changes can be made to the change, either in the Budget/EAC
Change data pane, its subpanes, or in the Control Accounts-Budget/EAC Change Breakdown subpane.
11) Click in the Company box and enter the Name of the company requesting the change.
12) Click in the Requester box and enter the Name of the person requesting the change.
13) Click in the Request Date box and enter the Date the change was requested; usually when the Change was first identified.
14) Click in the Alternate ID box and enter an Alternative Change Identification, if necessary. This is for reference only. As an example,
this might be the client issued Change ID.
15) In the Change Totals group box:
a. The Hours box displays the summary of the Hours entered in the Budget/EAC Changes-Control Accounts Breakdown subpane. If
the Advanced Change Management option in Project Settings (on page 202) is enabled, then the Change Hours for the Approved
Budget, Control Budget, Financial Budget, and Estimate at Completion are displayed separately.
b. The Cost box displays the summary of the Cost entered in the Budget/EAC Changes-Control Accounts Breakdown subpane. If the
Advanced Change Management option in Project Settings (on page 202) is enabled, then the change Cost for the Approved
Budget, Control Budget, Financial Budget, and Estimate at Completion are displayed separately.
c. The Currency ID box displays the Currency ID values assigned to records in the Budget/EAC Changes-Control Accounts
Breakdown subpane, as long as all the records are assigned the same Currency ID. Otherwise, the Project's Base Currency ID
entered in the Project Settings (on page 202) form is displayed.
16) Click in the Schedule Impact box and enter a Narrative that describes the impact that the Change will have to the project's schedule.
17) Click in the Cost Impact/Alternative box and enter a Narrative that describes the impact that the Change will have on the cost to the
project.
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4) Click in the Detailed Description subpane and enter an extended Description about the Change.
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b. If the Advanced Change Management option in Project Settings is selected, then four Hours fields are displayed; Approved
Budget Change Hours, Control Budget Change Hours, Financial Budget Change Hours, and EAC Change Hours. Using the
advanced options allows you to enter different values for each of these budgets and the forecast.
14) Click the Cost Element ID drop-down and select a Cost Element ID.
15) Click in the Change Cost cell and enter the potential change in Cost.
a. If additional Cost Elements are potentially changed on the Control Account, add additional records.
b. If the Advanced Change Management option in Project Settings is selected, then four Cost fields are displayed; Approved Budget
Change Cost, Control Budget Change Cost, Financial Budget Change Cost, and EAC Change Cost. Using the advanced options
allows you to enter different values for each of these budgets and the forecast.
16) Click in the Post Date cell and enter the Date the change was posted. This Post Date is for information and does not affect the time
phasing of the change.
17) Click in the Original Currency Cost cell and enter the Change Cost in its Original Currency, if it is different from the Control Account's
currency.
a. This field is disabled if the project is not setup to be a Multi-currency project.
18) If the project tracks Multiple Currencies, click the Original Currency ID drop-down and select a Currency ID.
a. This field is disabled if the project is not setup to be a Multi-currency project.
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b. If this selection is left blank then PRISM assumes the currency to be the Base Currency defined in the Project Settings (on page
202) form.
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When a Budget/EAC Change is created, the project's Change Events Template can be copied to the Budget/EAC Changes-Events subpane.
When copying the Change Events Template you have the choice to either delete any existing events or merge the template items with the
existing events.
The Events can be used as is or modified to identify the process steps to successfully approve the Change and the person responsible for each
step. You can identify the planned completion date for each Event. When the Event is completed and/or approved you can enter the approval
date.
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Note that if Distribution Curves are not assigned to a Budget/EAC Change then the Distribution Curves assigned to the Control
Account will be used to distribute the Change data across time.
Schedule Activities are linked to a Budget/EAC Change in the Budget/EAC Changes-Schedule Activity Cross-references subpane. This is similar
to how Schedule Activities are linked to Control Accounts. Once they are linked, the Schedule Dates can be copied from the Schedule Activities
to the Budget/EAC Change using the Copy Schedule Dates (on page 695) utility. Each Reporting Period, the Current Schedule may change,
requiring the Schedule Dates to be updated.
The Calculate Control Account Totals (on page 394) function is used to add Budget/EAC Change total values to the Control Account. The
Spread Time Phased Data (on page 400) calculation is used to globally time phase each Control Account's Baseline Budget, Approved Budget,
Control Budget, Financial Budget, and Estimate to Complete values across the range of Schedule Dates. There is an option to Spread using
Change Data that must be selected in order for change-specific time phasing to be applied.
Note that the Financial Budget is spread using the Approved Dates.
12) Click in the Approved, Control, and Current Schedule Dates boxes and enter the Early Start, Early Finish, Late Start, and Late Finish
Dates.
a. The Approved Dates reflect the project's baseline plus approved schedule changes. The Approved Early and Late Dates are used,
along with the Budget Curve algorithm to time phase the early and late Approved Budget and the Financial Budget.
b. The Control Dates reflect the project's baseline plus Control schedule changes. The Control Early and Late Dates are used, along
with the Control Curve algorithm to time phase the early and late Control Budget.
c. The Current Dates reflect the current working schedule, also referred to as the forecast schedule. The Current Early and Late
Dates are used, along with the Estimate to Complete Curve algorithm to time phase the Estimate to Complete.
d. This method of manually entering dates is time consuming. Typically, dates are entered and updated globally. Schedule dates
that exist in the Schedule Activities data pane can be transferred to Budget/EAC Changes using the Copy Schedule Dates utility if
cross-references are established between Schedule Activities and Budget/EAC Changes.
13) For each Distribution Curve, select the Curve ID drop-down and select a Distribution Curve. These are algorithms for spreading
budgets and forecast Change data in the Control Accounts-Time Phased Data subpanes. Time phased data is not changed by simply
selecting a curve. You must run the Spread Time Phased Data (on page 400) calculation and specifically select the Spread using
Change Data option.
a. Approved Budget - Approved Budget, Financial Budget, and the Earned Value are spread across the Early Approved Schedule
Dates; Late Approved Budget is spread across the Late Approved Schedule Dates.
b. Control Budget - Control Budget and the Control Earned Value are spread across the Early Control Schedule Dates.
c. Estimate to Complete - Estimate to Complete is spread across the Early Current Schedule Dates; although this can be changed to
use Late Current Schedule Dates or some increment in between.
The table below indicates the different system-defined distribution curves available and how they spread data.
Curve ID Description
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When entering and tracking Changes using Advanced Change Management, there are specific settings that need to be defined and processes
that need to be followed.
A Change Impact (see "Change Impact (Advanced Change Management)" on page 274), defining which budget the change will affect, must
be entered before a Change amount can be entered for a Control Account.
A Reporting Period can also be entered on each Change record. This allows Users to create Changes for future Reporting Periods. If a future
Reporting Period is assigned, the Change amount will not be added to the budget until the future Reporting Period becomes the current
period. A default Reporting Period for all new Changes can be defined in the Project (see "Project Settings" on page 202) or Enterprise
Settings forms (see "Enterprise Settings" on page 304).
When a Budget/EAC Change has been modified or statused, a Revision can be created by using the Add To History feature. This provides
Users a way to track and monitor modifications to Change throughout the life of the Budget/EAC Change.
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c. The Change Impact affects what data can be entered in the Budget/EAC Change-Control Accounts Breakdown subpane
depending on the Impacts option selected in the Change Impact data pane. These options include the Approved Budget, Control
Budget, Financial Budget, and the Estimate at Completion.
Note that a Change Impact must be assigned to a Budget/EAC Change record in order for a Change amount to be entered
in the Control Accounts Breakdown subpane.
4) Click the Change ID drop-down and enter a unique alphanumeric Change ID.
5) Click in the Description box and enter a Description of the Change.
6) Check the Risk Change checkbox if the Risks-Change Breakdown data is used to populate the Budget/EAC Changes-Control Accounts
Breakdown subpane. If Changes are being managed at the Enterprise Level, this functionality is disabled.
7) Click the Change Variety ID drop-down and select a pre-defined Change Variety.
8) Click the Change Source box and enter Information that identifies the source of the Change.
9) Click the Primary Change Owner drop-down and select a Primary Change Owner.
10) Click the Secondary Change Owner drop-down and select a Secondary Change Owner, if necessary.
11) Click the Status ID drop-down and select a pre-defined Change Status ID.
Note that it may be necessary to modify the Status ID as the Change is processed. For instance, at first it may be set to
Submitted when it is provided to the client, then it might be set to Pending when the initial approval is provided, and finally it is
set to Approved once final approval is granted.
12) Click the Status Date box and enter the Date when the Change Status was updated.
13) Once the Status of the Budget/EAC Change is considered finalized, meaning it is not planned to be changed, check the Final Status
checkbox. This checkbox will be automatically checked when the Budget/EAC Change has gone through the Review and Approval (on
page 76) process.
a. Enabling this option locks the Budget/EAC Change so that no changes can be made to the Change, either in the Budget/EAC
Change data pane or its subpanes.
14) Click the Reporting Period drop-down and enter a Reporting Period that the Change will be added to the budget once it is approved.
The Reporting Period can be entered on each Change or can be automatically entered by defining a Reporting Period for new Changes
in the Project or Enterprise Settings form.
15) Click in the Company box and enter the Name of the company requesting the change.
16) Click in the Requester box and enter the Name of the person requesting the change.
17) Click in the Request Date box and enter the Date the change was requested; usually when the Change was first identified.
18) Click in the Alternate ID box and enter an Alternative Change Identification, if necessary. This is for reference only. As an example,
this might be the client issued Change ID.
19) In the Change Totals group box:
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a. The Hours box displays the summary of the Hours entered in the Budget/EAC Changes-Control Accounts Breakdown subpane. If
the Advanced Change Management option in Project Settings (on page 202) is enabled, then the Change Hours for the Approved
Budget, Control Budget, Financial Budget, and Estimate at Completion are displayed separately.
b. The Cost box displays the summary of the Cost entered in the Budget/EAC Changes-Control Accounts Breakdown subpane. If the
Advanced Change Management option in Project Settings (on page 202) is enabled, then the change Cost for the Approved
Budget, Control Budget, Financial Budget, and Estimate at Completion are displayed separately.
c. The Currency ID box displays the Currency ID values assigned to records in the Budget/EAC Changes-Control Accounts
Breakdown subpane, as long as all the records are assigned the same Currency ID. Otherwise, the Project's Base Currency ID
entered in the Project Settings (on page 202) form is displayed.
20) Click in the Schedule Impact box and enter a Narrative that describes the impact that the Change will have to the project's schedule.
21) Click in the Cost Impact/Alternative box and enter a Narrative that describes the impact that the Change will have on the cost to the
project.
22) Click in the Review and Approve group box and enter the following if the Review and Approval option is enabled:
23) Click the Default Review Method drop-down and select a Default Review Method. This Review method will appear in the
Budget/EAC data pane when a Budget/EAC is created, and can be overridden, if necessary.
None - Reviewers are not automatically assigned in the Budget/EAC Changes-Approvals subpane, and the Change does not need
to be reviewed before it can be approved. This is the default method.
Not Required - A list of Reviewers can be generated for the Budget/EAC Change, but the Change does not need to be reviewed
before it can be approved.
Any User - A Change can be reviewed by any User/Team assigned as a Reviewer in the Budget/EAC Changes-Approvals subpane.
The Change must be reviewed by at least one Reviewer before the Budget/EAC Change can be Approved.
All Users - A Change must be reviewed by all Reviewers assigned in the Budget/EAC Change-Approvals subpane before it can be
approved.
24) In Sequence - A Change must be reviewed in the sequence that the Reviewers are listed in the Budget/EAC Changes-Approvals
subpane. The order of Reviewers is determined by their Approval Authority, from least to greatest.
25) Click in the Default Approve Method drop-down and select a Default Approve Method. This Approval method will appear in the
Budget/EAC data pane when a Budget/EAC is created, and can be overridden, if necessary. It should be noted that the Change may
also need to be reviewed as well as approved before it can be marked as Approved depending on the Review Method selected and if
any Reviewers are assigned in the Budget/EAC Changes-Approvals subpane.
None - Approvers are not automatically assigned in the Budget/EAC Change-Approvals subpane. The Change does not need to be
approved by a User other than the Change creator. This is the default setting.
Not Required - A list of Approvers can be generated for the Budget/EAC Change, but the Change does not need to be approved
by a User in the Budget/EAC Changes-Approvals subpane. The Change can be approved by the Change creator.
Any User - A Change can be Approved by any Approver assigned in the Budget/EAC Changes/Approvals subpane. The Change
must be approved by at least one Approver before the Budget/EAC Change can be approved.
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All Users - A Change must be Approved by all Approvers assigned in the Budget/EAC Changes-Approvals subpane. The Change
cannot be approved until all Approvers have approved and marked the Change as Approved.
In Sequence - A Change must be approved in the sequence the Approvers are listed in the Budget/EAC Changes-Approvals
subpane. The order of Approvers is determined by their Approval Authority, from least to greatest.
First User - A Change can be Approved by the first Approver listed in the Budget/EAC Changes-Approvals subpane. The first User
with sufficient Approval authority can Approve the Change.
26) Check the Copy Change Owners On Email Notification if you want the Change Owners notified when emails are sent to Users taking
part in the Review and Approval process. This feature is only used if the Email Notification (see "Email Notifications" on page 79)
option is enabled.
27) Click the Add To History icon in the navigation toolbar to create Revision of the Budget/EAC Change record. This takes a snapshot of
the Change data providing a mechanism for tracking changes made to the Budget/EAC Change record. When this feature is used, a
Revision is created in the Revision History subpane. It is recommended that this feature be used after the Budget/EAC Change has
been initially created to establish a baseline.
Note that this filter can only be applied when opening a Budget/EAC Change record when the Advanced Change Management
feature is being used at the Enterprise level to manage Trends and Changes.
Note that this filter will appear whether you are creating a new Change or locating an existing Change.
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Note that this subpane will be hidden if the Advanced Change Management feature is not enabled and the Review and Approval
option is also enabled.
The following examples show the requirements a Change must satisfy to be added to the budget and forecast based on the Review and
Approve Method assigned. If the Review Method is set to None or Not Required, a Change does not need to be Reviewed before it can be
Approved. If the Approve Method is set to None, the Change is Approved, once it is Reviewed.
For Changes where a Reviewer and Approver are required, the following examples show how the Review and Approve methods define the
sequencing of the Users as Reviewers and Approvers. The following Change amount is $30,000 and five Users have been assigned in the
Approvals subpane. It is assumed that Reviewers with Insufficient Approval Authority is checked in the Project or Enterprise Settings form. In
this example because of the Change amount and the Approval Authority, Joe Black and Bob Harris are assigned as Reviewers, while Fred
Rodgers, Todd Martin, and John Smith are Approvers.
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When the Review Method is defined as Any User, either Joe Black or Bob Harris can review the change. If the Review Method is All Users,
both Joe Black and Bob Harris must review the Change before it can be Approved. If In Sequence is selected, Joe Black and Bob Harris both
must review the Change, however, Joe has to review the Change first because his Approval Authority is less than Bob's.
Settings for the various Approve Methods are similar. If the Approve Method is defined as Any User, Fred Rodgers, Todd Martin, or John
Smith can approve the Change. If the Approve Method is All Users, all three Approvers must approve the Change. If In Sequence is selected,
all Approvers must approve the change, however Fred Rodgers must first approve the Change because his Approval Authority is the least
among the Approvers, followed by Todd Martin, then John Smith. If First User is selected, only one of the three Approvers needs to approve
the Change.
Note that the Review and Approval Methods are independent of each other, meaning that Approvers can approve the Change
before Reviewers review the Change if the Review and Approve Methods are set to Any or All Users. If the Review and Approve
Method is set to In Sequence or First User, there is an order in which the Change must be reviewed and approved. For example, if
both the Review and Approval Methods are set to Any User, Fred Rodgers can approve the Change before Joe Black reviews the
Change. But the Change cannot be statused and marked as Final until Joe Black has reviewed the Change.
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If Users with Sufficient Approval Authority is checked in the Project/Enterprise Settings form, only Users who have Approval
Authority (see "Approval Authority (Advanced Change Management)" on page 282) to approve the Change amount will be
assigned in the subpane.
If Users with Insufficient Approval Authority is checked in the Project/Enterprise Settings form, all Users assigned in the
Control Account-Change Approvers will be copied.
4) Click the Add Record icon to assign additional Reviewers and Approvers. You must have Change Management Run Process
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permissions to override the Generate feature to perform this function. Any User created in PRISM can be added as long as they are
either assigned as Available or a Default Change Reviewer or Approver in the Users (see "Users (Advanced Change Management)"
on page 229) form.
5) Click in the Review Due Date box or Approver Due Date box and enter a Review Due Date or an Approve Due Date, if necessary.
6) Check the Notify Reviewer or Notify Approver checkboxes to generate and send emails to notify the Reviewer/Approver that they
must take action on the Budget/EAC Change record before it can be added to the budget and forecast. By checking this option, emails
will be sent to the User/Team when using the Submit feature. These features only functions if the Email Notification option is enabled
and the Send Review and Approval Emails Directly feature is disabled in the Project or Enterprise Settings.
7) Click the Submit icon on the navigation toolbar to initiate the Review and Approval process for the Change.
If the Email Notification (see "Email Notifications" on page 79) option is enabled in the Project/Enterprise Settings form,
emails will be sent to the Users in the subpane notifying them that they must take action on a Budget/EAC Change.
8) If a User is assigned as a Reviewer the following steps need to take place:
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a. The Reviewer must login to PRISM and review the Change.
b. After they have reviewed the Change, they must check the Reviewed checkbox. Their role in the Review and Approval process
has been completed.
c. If they reject the Change, they can check the Rejected checkbox to stop the Review and Approval process.
9) If a User is assigned as an Approver the following steps need to take place:
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a. The Approver must login to PRISM and review the Change.
b. After they have approved the Change, they must check the Approved checkbox. Their role in the Review and Approval process
has been completed.
c. If they reject the Change, they can check the Rejected checkbox to stop the Review and Approval process.
10) When the Review and Approval process has been completed and the requirements for the Review and Approve methods have been
satisfied, the Budget/EAC Change Status ID is changed to Approved and the Final Status checkbox is checked. When this occurs, the
Change amount is added to the budget.
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How many times the Change has been revised and when it was revised
Who performed the Revision
The budget and forecast data
The Impact ID, Change Variety ID, and Status ID
A Budget/EAC Change revision is created each time the Add To History icon is selected in the Budget/EAC Changes navigation tool bar. The
data that was entered for the Change record at the time the icon was selected is copied to this subpane in a read-only format and assigned a
sequential Revision Number and Revision Date.
Note that when data is modified on a Budget/EAC Change, a revision is not automatically created. Revisions are only created
when the Add To History icon is selected.
Note that the Copy Record feature only copies Budget/EAC Change record data if the Auto-generate Change ID in the Project or
Enterprise Settings forms is set to CM Period + Counter or User-defined Prefix + Counter. If the Auto-generate Change ID is set to
None, the data will not be copied to a new record until a Change ID has been entered.
2) Click the Copy Record icon on the navigation toolbar to Copy the Budget/EAC Change data to a new record.
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Trends
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PRISM has a Trends data pane that can be employed as part of the Change Management system. Many companies choose to skip this
feature and only use Budget/EAC Changes. However, Trends can be used as a means of communicating potential changes to the baseline or
the forecast affecting Cost, Hours, and Quantity data. Unlike Budget/EAC Changes, Trends do not directly affect the Budgets or Estimate at
Completion.
Trends can be used to identify issues that could affect just a single Control Account/Control Element or they could affect many Control
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Accounts/Control Elements. PRISM uses a many-to-many relationship between Trends and Budget/EAC Changes. This means that one Trend
can be assigned to multiple Budget/EAC Changes and one Budget/EAC Change can be assigned to multiple Trends.
Trend details are assigned to one or more Budget/EAC Changes, once the changes are defined in the Budget/EAC Changes data pane. This
process eliminates the need to re-create the data already entered in the Trend.
A written description of how the schedule might be impacted due to the Trend can be entered.
To Enter Trends:
1) Select Cost Management > Change Management > Trends.
2) Click the Add Record icon.
3) Click in the Trend ID box and enter a unique alphanumeric Trend ID.
4) Click in the Description box and enter a Description of the Trend.
5) Click the Change Variety ID drop-down and select a Change Variety.
6) Click in the Change Source box and enter Information that identifies the Source of the Trend.
7) Click in the Requester box and enter the Name of the person requesting the Trend.
8) Click in the Request Date box and select the Date the Trend was requested; usually when the Trend was first identified.
9) In the Totals group box:
a. The Hours box displays the summary of the Hours entered in the Trends-Control Accounts Breakdown subpane. If the Advanced
Change Management option in Project Settings (on page 202) is enabled, then the trend Hours for the Approved Budget, Control
Budget, Financial Budget, and Estimate at Completion are displayed separately.
b. The Cost box displays the summary of the Cost entered in the Trends-Control Accounts Breakdown subpane. If the Advanced
Change Management option in Project Settings (on page 202) is enabled, then the trend Cost for the Approved Budget, Control
Budget, Financial Budget, and Estimate at Completion are displayed separately.
c. The Currency ID box displays the Currency ID values assigned to records in the Trends-Control Accounts Breakdown subpane, as
long as all the records are assigned the same Currency ID. Otherwise, the Project's Base Currency ID entered in the Project
Settings (on page 202) form is displayed.
10) Click in the Schedule Impact box and enter a Narrative that describes the impact that the Trend will have to the project's schedule.
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Note that if the Advanced Change Management option in Project Settings (on page 202) is enabled, you can enter different
change values for the Approved Budget, the Control Budget, and the Estimate at Completion on one Trend.
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8) Click in the Item cell and enter an Item Number which is used to order or sequence the items of the Trend.
9) Click in the Scope cell and enter a brief Description of the Trend.
10) Click the Quantity Element ID drop-down and select a Quantity Element ID.
11) Click in the Change Quantity cell and enter the potential change in Quantity.
a. If additional Quantity Elements are potentially changed on the Control Account, add additional records.
b. If the Advanced Change Management option in Project Settings is selected, then four Quantity fields are displayed; Approved
Budget Change Quantity, Control Budget Change Quantity, Financial Budget Change Quantity, and EAC Change Quantity. Using
the advanced options allows you to enter different values for each of these budgets and the forecast.
12) Click the Hours Element ID drop-down and select an Hours Element ID.
13) Click in the Change Hours cell and enter the potential change in Hours.
a. If additional Hours Elements are potentially changed on the Control Account, add additional records.
b. If the Advanced Change Management option in Project Settings is selected, then four Hours fields are displayed; Approved
Budget Change Hours, Control Budget Change Hours, Financial Budget Change Hours, and EAC Change Hours. Using the
advanced options allows you to enter different values for each of these budgets and the forecast.
14) Click the Cost Element ID drop-down and select a Cost Element ID.
15) Click in the Change Cost cell and enter the potential change in Cost.
a. If additional Cost Elements are potentially changed on the Control Account, add additional records.
b. If the Advanced Change Management option in Project Settings is selected, then four Cost fields are displayed; Approved Budget
Change Cost, Control Budget Change Cost, Financial Budget Change Cost, and EAC Change Cost. Using the advanced options
allows you to enter different values for each of these budgets and the forecast.
16) Click in the Post Date cell and enter the Date the Trend was posted. The Post Date is for information only.
17) Click in the Original Currency Cost cell and enter the Trend Cost in its Original Currency, if it is different from the Control Account's
currency.
a. This field is disabled if the project is not setup to be a Multi-currency project.
18) If the project tracks Multiple Currencies, click the Original Currency ID drop-down and select a Currency ID.
a. This field is disabled if the project is not setup to be a Multi-currency project.
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b. If this selection is left blank then PRISM assumes the currency to be the Base Currency defined in the Project Settings (on page
202) form.
Documents (Trends)
The Trends-Documents subpane is where electronic documents associated with the Trend can be electronically linked to the Trend. The
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documents must be stored on a network accessible to the PRISM user.
You can identify the entity that provided the document, track revisions to the document, and assign the document to a Document Type to aid
in sorting and grouping documents in grids and reports.
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Documents linked to Trends can also be linked to Changes once the Change is entered in the Change data pane.
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Risks
The Risks data pane is used for identifying Risks that could adversely affect a project's cost and schedule. The hours and cost assigned to Risks
are defined in terms of being unmitigated and mitigated. When the Risk is unmitigated, that refers to the potential hours and cost the project
will incur if the Risk is not addressed and it actually occurs. When a Risk is mitigated, that means some additional work is performed to control
or eliminate the risk from occurring.
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The unmitigated cost and hours are labeled as Risk Total Hours and Risk Total Cost in PRISM where as the mitigated cost and hours are
labeled as Mitigation Total Hours and Mitigation Total Cost. This data is usually an independent assessment made by the Risk Manager.
The Project Controls specialist enters their own set of Risk hours, cost and Mitigation hours, and cost into the Risks-Budget/EAC Changes
Breakdown subpane in order to split the costs into the various Control Accounts and Control Elements. The Unassigned Hours and
Unassigned Cost for both Risk and Mitigation values indicate the difference between the totals entered in the Risks data pane and the values
entered in the Risks-Items subpane.
Risks can be copied to Budget/EAC Changes (see "Copy Risks to Changes" on page 707). The Risk or Mitigation values entered in the Risks
data pane are not copied. The Mitigation Hours and Cost entered in the Risks-Items subpane are the values that are copied.
To Enter Risks:
1) Select Cost Management > Change Management > Risks.
2) Click the Add Record icon.
3) Click in the Risk ID box and enter a unique alphanumeric Risk ID.
4) Click in the Description box and enter a Description of the Risk.
5) Click in the Identifier box and enter the Name of the person who identified the Risk.
6) Click in the Identification Date box and enter the Date the Risk was identified.
7) Click in the Schedule Impact box and enter a Schedule Impact Narrative that indicates how the schedule may be affected by the Risk.
8) Enter the following hours and cost for both Risks and Risk Mitigation as identified by the Risk Manager; Risk Total Hours, Risk Total
Cost, Mitigation Total Hours, and Mitigation Total Cost.
9) The Unassigned Hours and Unassigned Cost for both Risk and Mitigation Cost and Hours are calculated:
a. Unassigned Risk/Cost Hours = Total Risk Hours/Cost - Total Risk Hours/Cost defined in the Items subpane.
b. Unassigned Mitigation Hours = Total Mitigation Hours/Cost - Total Mitigation Hours/Cost defined in the Items subpane.
10) Click in the Probability Percent box and enter a Percentage. This defines the probability of the risk occurring and is for information
only; it does not affect calculations.
11) If the project tracks Multiple Currencies, click the Currency ID drop-down and select a Currency ID.
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Items (Risks)
The Risks-Items subpane is where the potential affect of a Risk or Risk Mitigation is identified in terms of Cost and Hours. The Project Controls
Specialist uses this subpane to assign specific Risk and Risk Mitigation cost and hours to Control Accounts and Cost Elements.
The summary of the costs and hours entered do not need to match the values entered in the Risks data pane due to the fact that the project
manager's plan to mitigate the risk may be different than what the Risk Manager envisioned. The Risk Manager's estimate is maintained in the
Risks data pane and the Project Manager's budget is developed in the Risks-Items subpane. As you enter hours and cost in this subpane, you
can see how many hours and how much cost for both Risk and Control values have not been assigned by reviewing the Unassigned Hours and
Unassigned Cost in the Risk data pane.
The added hours and costs to mitigate or control the Risk should be less than the hours and costs added if the Risk occurs.
Risk items can be assigned to Budget/EAC Changes. A Budget/EAC Change does not have to be defined in the Budget/EAC Changes data pane.
It can be generated using the Copy Risks To Changes (on page 707) utility. Only the Risk Control Cost and Hours are transferred to the
Budget/EAC Change.
5) Click in the Reference Code cell and enter a Reference Code. This could be any alternative numbering system such as one used by the
Client.
6) Click in the Item cell and enter an Item Number which is used to order the items of the Risk.
7) Click in the Details cell and enter a brief Description of the Risk or Risk Control tasks.
8) To assign a Risk to a Change, click the Change ID drop-down and select a Change ID. A Change ID can also be entered manually if a
Budget/EAC Change has not been defined.
9) Click the Hours Element ID drop-down and select an Hours Element ID.
10) Click in the Risk Hours cell and enter the added Hours if the Risk occurs.
11) Click in the Mitigation Hours cell and enter the added Hours to mitigate or control the Risk.
12) Click the Cost Element ID drop-down and select a Cost Element ID.
13) Click in the Risk Cost cell and enter the added Cost if the Risk occurs.
14) Click in the Mitigation Cost cell and enter the added Cost to mitigate or control the Risk.
Note that you can review the Unassigned Hours and Unassigned Cost values in the Risks data pane to see the remaining Risk
hours and costs and Mitigation hours and costs to enter to match the Total Cost and Total Hours defined in the Risk data pane.
15) Click in the Post Date cell and enter the Date the Risk/Risk Control was posted. The Post Date is for information only.
16) Click the Control Account ID drop-down and select a Control Account ID that the Risk Control Cost and Hours are assigned to.
Note that the Change Summary is only used if the Review and Approval option is enabled as part of the Advanced Change
Management feature.
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2) Click the Change ID Filter drop-down and select a method for filtering Budget/EAC Changes:
a. Review/Approve Budget/EAC Changes - Changes have been created; The Review and Approval process has been initiated.
b. View Completed Budget/EAC Changes - Changes that have been Reviewed/Approved and added to the budget and forecast.
c. View Incomplete Budget/EAC Changes - Changes that have been created; the Review and Approval process has not been
initiated.
d. View All Budget/EAC Changes - All Changes that have been created using the Advanced Change Management process.
3) Click the Group By drop-down and apply a Project or Enterprise Group filter, if necessary.
4) Check the Show Control Accounts Only if Reviewer/Approver checkbox to view the Control Accounts where the User is assigned to
the change as a Reviewer and/or Approver.
5) Check the Include checkbox to include the Change record in the Change Summary form.
6) Click OK.
7) In the Change Summary form, the User can Review, Approve, or Reject the Change by checking the corresponding checkbox on the
Budget/EAC Change.
8) On the navigation toolbar several functions can be performed:
a. Expand All - displays the Project and the Control Account the Change is affecting, including the Change amount. The function can
also be performed by clicking on the "+" on the left side of the Change record.
Note that the Show Control Accounts Only if Reviewer/Approver check box must be checked in order for this menu to expand
and view the Control Accounts linked to the Budget/EAC Change record.
b.Collapse All - collapses the Change Summary information to only display the Change record. This function can also be performed
by clicking on the "-" on the left side of the Change record.
c. Mark All Reviewed - marks all Changes where the User is assigned as a Reviewer as Reviewed.
d. Mark All Approved - marks all Changes where the User is assigned as an Approver as Approved.
e. Mark All Rejected - marks all changes as rejected.
f. View Details - displays the Budget/EAC Change in a read-only format along with selected subpanes.
9) When the User is done reviewing and approving Changes, click OK.
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Budget Details
The Budget Details data pane is used to store a project’s budget details. Typically, an estimate is prepared in a separate estimating
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application and then imported in PRISM 's Budget Details. However, it is possible to enter budget details directly into PRISM .
Each Budget Detail includes the quantity and hour values and other supporting information. Separate Cost Elements are entered in the Cost
Element subpane.
You can use this system to store or create the baseline estimate, as well as any scope changes.
c. Default and Hours - quantities will transfer to the Default Control Account and to the Hours Control Account. Typically selected
when fabrication/procurement work is tracked separately from installation work in the control system.
15) If the project uses multiple currencies, click the Currency ID drop-down and select the Currency ID that corresponds to the Costs to
be entered.
a. This field is disabled if the project is not setup to be a multi-currency project.
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b. If this selection is left blank then PRISM assumes the currency to be the Base Currency defined in the Project Settings form.
16) Click the WBS ID drop-down and select a WBS ID.
a. The WBS IDs listed in the drop-down are only those defined at the lowest level of the WBS in the WBS data pane.
b. The WBS may have automatically been assigned when the Control Account was created; depending on if WBS Masking (see
"Work Breakdown Structure" on page 611) had been applied.
17) If the Budget Detail is used to estimate a Change, click the Change ID box and select a Change ID. The estimated values can be
transferred to the Change in the Changes (see "Budget/EAC Changes" on page 358) data pane.
18) Click in the Equipment/Material ID box and enter an Equipment ID or a Material ID.
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Activities
The Activities data pane is used to store baseline, approved, control, and current schedule data. Typically, schedule data is imported from a
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spreadsheet file, Primavera schedule, or a Microsoft Project schedule into PRISM in order to populate this pane.
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The schedule data is used throughout PRISM . For instance, Schedule Dates are used to time phase Control Account total costs, hours, and
quantities.
Schedule Activities can be manually entered but this is inefficient. If you do not have an external schedule then it may be easier to simply add
Start and Finish dates directly to Control Accounts.
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Note that PRISM is not a scheduling application. Relationships between activities are not maintained in PRISM ; therefore a
critical path cannot be calculated. Use an external scheduling application to establish relationships between schedule activities,
calculate the critical path, etc.
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10) Click in the Weight box and enter a Progress Weight, which is a numerical value used to calculate the progress on Control Accounts
that are cross-referenced to Schedule Activities.
a. When importing a resource-loaded schedule, weighting is assigned to either the Activities-Control Account cross-reference
subpane or the Activities data pane depending on the import options selected.
11) Click the Curve ID drop-down and select a Time Phased Data Curve which defines how Costs, Hours, and Quantities budgeted and
forecast data will be spread when this Activity is linked to a Control Account. If the Curve ID is left blank, an EVEN spread will be used
for time phasing the Activity. User-defined or system-defined Curves can be assigned. The table is a list of the system-defined
algorithms and a description of how they spread hours and cost across time:
Curve ID Description
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Curve ID Description
Places the total data in the Reporting Period associated with the Start Dates. The Estimate to Complete uses the
FIRST Current Start Date, the Approved Budget uses the Approved Start Date, the Control Budget uses the Control Start
Date, and the Baseline Budget uses the Baseline Start Date.
Places the total data in the Reporting Period associated with the Finish Dates. The Estimate to Complete uses the
LAST Current Finish Date, the Approved Budget uses the Approved Finish Date, the Control Budget uses the Control
Finish Date, and the Baseline Budget uses the Baseline Finish Date.
Note that the Control Account's Curve ID must be set to ACTIVITY in order to spread budget and forecast data using the Curve
ID assigned to an Activity.
1) Click in the Schedule Dates boxes and enter the Early Start, Early Finish, Late Start, and Late Finish Dates that apply to the Activity.
The Early dates indicate the earliest dates the activity can start and finish. The Late dates indicate the latest dates the activity can
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start and finish. These dates are used in several PRISM processes including being transferred to Control Accounts in order to time
phase budgets.
a. Baseline - these are the Baseline or Original Schedule Dates.
b. Approved - these are the Approved Schedule Dates, which is the Baseline Schedule with Approved Schedule Changes included.
c. Control - these are the Control Schedule Dates, which is the Baseline Schedule with Control Schedule Changes included.
d. Current - these are the Current Schedule Dates, which is the Current or Working Schedule which represents the actual
completion of work and forecast of scheduled work.
When Activities are cross-referenced to Control Accounts in the Schedule Activities-Control Accounts subpane, this same linkage is displayed
in the Control Accounts-Schedule Activities subpane.
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Note that Resources data imported from a Schedule lumps both Quantity and Hours together. Therefore, PRISM combines
Quantity and Hours data together in a single field. The Control Element that the Resource is assigned to in the Resources data
pane distinguishes whether the imported value is Quantity or Hours data.
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3) Click either the Baseline Resources, Control Resources, Approved Resources, or the Current Resources subpane tab.
4) Click the Add Record icon, select one or multiple Resource IDs, and click OK. The Resource Description cell displays the Resource
Description as defined in the Resources data pane. The Unit cell displays the Resource Unit as defined in the Resources data pane.
5) Click the Control Account ID drop-down and select a Control Account to assign the Resource against.
6) Click in the Qty-Hour Budget cell and enter the Resource Budget value in terms of Quantity or Hours.
7) Click in the Cost Budget cell and enter the Resource Budget Cost value.
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Resources
The Resources data pane is used to create Resources and cross-reference each Resource to a Quantity or Hours Element and to a Cost
Element. This cross-reference is not automatically created when a schedule is imported. This cross-reference is necessary to transfer Budget,
Estimate at Completion, or Estimate to Complete data from Resources to Control Accounts which is useful for creating and updating the
baseline and forecast. You would use the Calculate Budget/EAC from Resources (see "Budget/EAC From Resources" on page 404) calculation
to perform this transfer.
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Typically, resource data is imported from a Resource-Loaded Primavera or a Microsoft Project schedule into PRISM in order to populate this
data pane.
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If the imported schedule is resource-loaded with hours only, and you want PRISM to calculate the budgeted and forecast costs, you can
assign a Category ID (see "Enterprise Categories" on page 275) to the Resource. Categories are assigned Multipliers (on page 287) which
utilize Indirect Cost Multipliers to calculate the direct and indirect costs. Hours assigned to a Resource in the Schedule Activities-Resource
Assignments subpanes are multiplied by the Category's Bare Cost Rate and Multiplier to calculate these costs.
You can also calculate labor resource costs on Control Accounts by multiplying the resource hours by a Time and Materials Rate. The standard
and alternative Time and Materials Rates are defined in the Categories-Rates by Reporting Period subpane. The standard rate is always used
unless you select an alternative Time and Materials Rate for any Budget Plan or ETC Plan record.
To Enter Resources:
1) Select Cost Management > Schedule > Resources.
2) Click the Add Record icon.
3) Click in the Resource ID box and enter a Resource ID.
4) Click in the Description box and enter a Resource Description.
5) Click in the Quantity Unit box and enter the Unit for the Resource. Once assigned, it will not be overwritten from subsequent
schedule imports.
6) Click the Qty-Hours Element ID drop-down and select either an Hours Element or a Quantity Element. Once assigned, it will not be
overwritten from subsequent schedule imports.
7) Click the Cost Element ID drop-down and select a Cost Element. Once assigned, it will not be overwritten from subsequent schedule
imports.
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8) Click the Category ID drop-down and select a Category ID, if you want PRISM to calculate the direct and indirect costs.
9) If you plan to use alternative Time and Materials Rates to calculate costs on Control Accounts, click the Alternative Time and
Materials Rate drop-down and select a Time and Materials Rate Label.
a. Only the Time and Materials Rate Labels defined in Enterprise Settings (on page 304) are displayed.
b. Time and Material Rates are defined in the Categories-Rates by Reporting Period (see "Rates By Enterprise/Reporting Period
(Categories)" on page 276) subpane.
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Typically Resources and their associated Activities are imported from a Resource-Loaded Schedule. It would be highly unusual to enter Activity
Assignments manually.
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Note that Resources data imported from a Schedule lumps both Quantity and Hours together. Therefore, PRISM combines
Quantity and Hours data together in a single field. The Control Element, that the Resource is assigned to in the Resources data
pane, distinguishes whether the value imported is quantity or hours data.
In order to add a record to these subpanes, you must select an existing Resource. Multiple Activities can be added, as necessary.
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Data from various sources can be copied to Control Accounts. The copying process can be controlled individually as to which of the five fields
are populated:
Baseline Budget
Approved Budget
Control Budget
Financial Budget
Estimate at Completion
The data can be populated in those fields from the following sources:
Budget Details
Staffing Plans
Budget/EAC Changes
User-defined Amount Transactions
Estimate at Completion Calculation - a calculation which replaces data previously entered in the Estimate at Completion.
Estimate at Completion = Actual to Date / Percent Complete
This calculation is not recommended because it does not take into account the many variables that can affect the forecast. Typically,
changes to the Estimate at Completion are manually entered against each Control Account, either in the Control Accounts-Control
Elements subpanes or by using the Budget/EAC Changes data pane. The second method maintains an audit trail of Estimate at
Completion changes.
Engineering Accounts - engineering hours can be used to also calculate costs on Control Accounts.
Progress Accounts - field quantities and hours can be used to also calculate costs on Control Accounts.
Note that if the data source for a Control Account is changed after the calculation is run; the existing data will be replaced. For
example, if you calculate the Approved Budget using Budget Detail data, if the same Control Accounts are re-calculated using
Staffing Plan data, the Staffing Plan with overwrite the Budget Details data on the Control Accounts.
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3) By default, the Commitment Totals check box is enabled. Data in the Control Accounts-Control Elements subpanes are modified. The
commitment options selected will affect how commitment values are calculated.
a. Commitment data in the Commitments data pane is transferred to the Open Commitment field if the Open Commitments option
is set in the Cost Management Settings form.
b. Commitment data in the Commitments data pane is transferred to the Commitment to Date field if the Total Always
Commitments option is set in the Cost Management Settings form.
c. Open Commitments or Commitments to Date values and the ETC value are updated depending if the Total If Commitment Exists
option is set in the Cost Management Settings form.
Note that if the Commitment setting in the Cost Management Settings form is assigned to Totals from Purchase Orders and
Contracts, then this calculation also deletes any Commitment records that were previously transferred from the Procurement or
Contracts packages, and then it transfers all of the current Commitment data from those packages to the Control Accounts.
Commitment Totals are then calculated. This process does not affect any Total Commitments that were imported or manually
entered.
4) By default, the Progress and Time Phased Data check box is enabled. Data in the Control Accounts data pane, Control
Accounts-Control Elements subpanes, and the Control Accounts-Time Phased Data subpanes are modified.
a. Percent Complete for the Reporting Period is calculated based on the Percent Complete Method assigned to the Control
Account. This is found in the Control Accounts data pane.
b. Earned value for the Reporting Period is calculated. This is found in the Control Accounts-Control Elements subpanes: Percent
Complete x Budget at Completion
c. Period data for Earned Value and Commitment data is calculated and added to the Control Accounts-Time Phased Data
subpanes, as well as adding Period Actual data.
5) If Control Account IDs are entered in the Budget Details data pane but do not have matching Control Account IDs in the Control
Accounts data pane, and you want those Control Accounts to be added when calculating Control Account totals, then check the
Create Missing Control Accounts checkbox. Note that a Filter must not be applied in order for this option to be available.
6) Click in the Data Date box and enter a Date. This is only necessary if you want the Data Date displayed in Cost Management Reports
to be something other than the default header, which is the Title of the current Reporting Period.
7) Click each of the five drop-downs; Baseline Budget, Approved Budget, Control Budget, Financial Budget, and Estimate at
Completion. Choose one of the following selections to modify data in the Control Accounts-Control Elements subpane as described
below:
a. No Action - No action is taken, which is the default setting.
b. Use Budget Detail Data - Budget Details-Cost Element values in the Budget Details data pane that are cross-referenced to
Control Accounts-Control Elements, and are not assigned to a Change ID, are transferred to the Control Accounts. This option is
usually used when creating the Baseline Budget. At the same time, the Approved Budget, Control Budget, Financial Budget, and
Estimate at Completion should use this same option so that the same values are transferred into these fields, so that all budgets
and the forecast are equal at the time the project's baseline is developed.
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c. Use Staffing Plan Budget Data - Budget Plan data entered in the Plans-Budget Plan subpane is applied to the Control Accounts'
Baseline Budget, Approved Budget, Control Budget, and/or Financial Budget. Plan Hours and Bare Cost data are calculated as
follows to derive the Extended Cost applied to Control Accounts-Cost Elements. This option is available to all drop-downs except
the Estimate at Completion drop-down.
Labor Hours x Time and Materials Rate = Extended Cost (on Time and Materials contracts)
Labor Hours x Base Rate x Indirect Cost Multiplier = Extended Cost (on Cost Plus contracts)
ODC Bare Cost x Indirect Cost Multiplier = Extended Cost
d. Use Actuals + Staffing Plan ETC Data - Estimate to Complete Plan data entered in the Plans-ETC Plan subpane is added to the
Control Account's Actuals Data and applied to the Control Accounts' Estimate at Completion. Plan Hours and Bare Cost data is
calculated as described in Step 6.c. This option is only available to the Estimate at Completion drop-down.
e. Use Change Management Data - The summarized values of all Change data entered in the Budget/EAC Changes-Account
Breakdown subpanes that are cross-referenced to Control Accounts is added to the Control Accounts' Baseline Budget in order
to calculate the Approved Budget, Control Budget, Financial Budget, and/or Estimate at Completion. This option is available to all
drop-downs except for the Baseline Budget drop-down.
The calculation deletes the existing Estimate at Completion, Approved Budget, and Control Budget and adds the Change
values to the Baseline Budget.
The Change Status (on page 273) assigned to each Change also determines which budget or estimate at completion value is
affected.
You can use this option to modify the Estimate at Completion if you want an audit trail. It is best not to mix manual Estimate
at Completion modifications with calculated Estimate at Completion modifications entered in the Budget/EAC Change data
pane.
If the Escalation option in the Cost Management Settings (on page 414) is enabled, and if the Baseline Budget on a Control
Account is indicated as having been escalated, then the Change is assumed to be escalated. In this case, the calculated data
type; Approved Budget, Control Budget, and/or Estimate at Completion, will be assigned an indicator, which is used to tag
the cost values that are calculated.
The Escalation field in the Control Accounts-Cost Elements subpane is where this indicator is applied as an alpha character:
B - Baseline Budget
A - Approved Budget
C - Control Budget
F - Financial Budget
E - Estimate to Complete
This process assumes the Budget/EAC Changes are escalated.
If the Baseline Budget does not have this indicator applied when the Budget/EAC Changes are calculated for any of the other
data types, then the Escalation indicator is removed from these data types, indicating that they do not have escalation
applied. This process assumes the Budget/EAC Changes are not escalated.
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f. Use CM without Baseline - The summarized values of all Change data entered in the Budget/EAC Changes-Account Breakdown
subpanes that are cross-referenced to Control Accounts are transferred. These values do NOT get added to the Baseline Budget,
consistent in the Use Change Management Data option. This option is only available for the Control and Financial Budgets
drop-downs.
g. Use Actuals to Date / Percent Complete - This option is available only for modifying the Estimate at Completion and is not
necessarily recommended. Typically, the Estimate at Completion should be manually adjusted as opposed to being calculated.
However, the calculation is available and the Estimate at Completion is calculated as such:
Actual To Date / Percent Complete = Estimate at Completion.
This calculation is not applied on a Control Account if the Actual to Date or the Percent Complete are equal to zero.
This calculation is not applied to Quantity Control Elements when the Control Account's Percent Complete Method is set to
QAE or QTE.
This calculation is not applied to Hours Control Elements when the Control Account's Percent Complete Method is set to HAE
or HTE.
This calculation is not applied to Cost Control Elements when the Control Account's Percent Complete Method is set to CAE
or CTE.
h. Use Engineering Hours - The summarized Hours of all the Engineering Accounts that are cross-referenced to Control Accounts
are transferred to the Control Accounts.
The Hours Element and the Cost Element options in the Engineering Settings form need to be defined in order for Hours to
be transferred and for Cost Elements to be created.
The Engineering Account's Approved Budget Hours are transferred into the Control Account's Approved Budget.
Once the calculation is run, the Cost Elements are generated and the costs are calculated based on the Labor Category ID
assigned to the Engineering Account. If a Labor Category ID is not assigned to an Engineering Account, the ETC Rate for the
Control Element is used.
The cost for the Baseline Budget, Approved Budget, and Control Budget Cost is calculated as Labor Category Rate x
Engineering Account Budgeted Hours.
i. Use Field Management Data - The summarized Quantities and Hours of all the Progress Accounts that are cross-referenced to
Control Accounts are transferred to the Control Accounts.
The Quantity, Hours, and Cost Element options in the Field Management Settings form must be defined in order for
Quantities and Hours data to be transferred to the Control Accounts and for Cost Elements to be created.
The Progress Account's Approved Quantities and Hours are transferred into the Control Account's Approved Budget.
The Progress Account's Approved Quantities are transferred to the Control Accounts-Quantity Elements subpane.
Once the calculation is run, the Cost Elements are generated and the costs are calculated based on the Cost Per Quantity and
Labor Category ID assigned in the Progress Accounts-Cost Rates subpane. If a Labor Category ID is not assigned to the
Progress Account, the ETC Rate for the Control Element is used.
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The Cost Per Quantity is calculated as Cost Per Quantity Rate x Approved Budget Quantities and transferred to the Control
Accounts-Cost Element subpane as the Cost Element ID From Quantity.
The Labor Category ID is calculated as the Category ID's Time and Materials Rate x the Approved Budgeted Hours.
8) Check the User-defined Amount Transactions checkbox for each User-defined Amount you wish to calculate. The Control
Accounts-Control Elements subpanes (see "Control Elements (Control Accounts)" on page 323) are updated with data from the
Control Accounts-Amount Transactions subpane (see "Amount Transactions (Control Accounts)" on page 340) or from the
User-defined Amount Calculations found on the Cost Management Settings (on page 414) form.
a. These checkboxes are only available if the User-defined Amount labels are defined in the Cost Management Settings form.
b. If the Rebaseline Utility (see "Rebaseline" on page 698) is enabled, and if User-defined Amount fields are assigned as
Reprogramming Adjustment Storage fields in the Rebaseline form, then those User-defined Amount fields will not be available to
be calculated.
9) Apply a Filter (on page 193), if necessary.
10) Click OK.
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Note that this spreading does not occur if the Distribution Curve assigned to a Control Account's Budgets or Estimate to Complete
is set to Manual, Plan, or None.
This calculation can also be used to spread Commitment data into future Reporting Periods. The Commitment Forecast totals in the Control
Accounts-Commitment subpane or the Commitments table can be spread if the Commitment is set to forecast. The Reporting Period assigned
to each forecast commitment determines which Reporting Period the value is applied to. The Reporting Period must be set to a future
Reporting Period in order for the calculation to work.
This calculation also provides a means for spreading Funding values that are defined in the Funding Sources-Project/Account Breakdown
subpane across Control Accounts in the Control Accounts-Time Phased Data subpanes. The Post Date assigned to each Funding value
determines the Reporting Period the value is applied to.
This calculation can also spread Cash Flow values that are defined in the Cost Management Settings (on page 414) across Cost Elements in
the Control Accounts-Time Phased Cost subpane. This calculation only affects Cost Elements that have been defined to track Cash Flow.
In addition, User-defined Amount Transactions entered in the Control Accounts-Amount Transaction subpane can be spread in the Control
Accounts-Time Phased Data subpanes. You can choose how to spread each User-defined Amount.
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The table below summarizes for each Data item that can be spread, which dates are used for spreading the data, which time phased data
distribution curves are used to spread the data, and the default and the earliest starting periods where the spreading of data begins:
Data to be Spread Dates used for TPD Curves used for Spreading Data Default Starting Period / Earliest Starting Period
Spreading Data
Baseline Budget Baseline Early Dates Baseline Curve Current period / First period
Approved Budget Approved Early Dates Approved Curve Current period / First period
Financial Budget Approved Early Dates Approved Curve Current period / First period
Approved Late Budget Approved Late Dates Approved Curve Current period / First period
Control Budget Control Early Dates Control Curve Current period / First period
Earned Value Current Early Dates Estimate to Complete Curve Period after current period / Current period
Estimate to Complete Current Early Dates Estimate to Complete Curve Period after current period / Current period
Commitment Forecast Commitment Period Based on Commitment Period Based on Commitment Period
Funding Funding Post Dates Based on Funding Post Dates Based on Funding Post Dates
Cash Flow Based on Settings Estimate to Complete Curve Based on Settings
User-defined Amounts Selected Based on Selection Based on Selection
There are a few other options available with this calculation. One option allows you to globally assign distribution curves to Control Accounts.
Another option allows you to transfer Schedule Dates from the Schedule Activities data pane to the Control Accounts data pane.
2) Check the Spread Data checkbox to distribute any of the five types of data; Baseline Budget, Approved Budget, Control Budget,
Financial, Earned Value, Actual/ETC. For each data type selected, click the Start Period drop-down and select a Reporting Period
from when the time phasing of data begins. Prior period distributions are not affected.
a. At the beginning of the project, all data types to be used should be checked and the Start Period set to the first Reporting Period
in order to generate a performance measurement baseline where the time phased data is equal for all data.
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b. The four Budget fields Start Period setting defaults to the current Reporting Period, but can be changed to any Reporting Period.
The Earned Value and the Actual/ETC Start Period setting defaults to the period after the current Reporting Period. They can be
modified to as early as the current Reporting Period or any later period. If you do calculate over the current Reporting Period for
the Earned Value or the Actuals/ETC, you can always reset the calculated values by rerunning the Calculate Control Account
Totals calculation.
c. If any budgets or schedule dates are modified the specific data type should be respread.
d. The Actuals/ETC is used to spread the Estimate to Complete. This is because the total Estimate to Complete is calculated by
subtracting the Actuals to Date from the Estimate at Completion. Since the Actuals to Date typically increase each Reporting
Period, then the ETC changes as well. If the Estimate to Complete is not re-spread each month, the sum of the time phased
Actuals/ETC may not match the total Estimate at Completion.
Note that you can also choose to spread the Earned Control Value and the Earned Financial Value if you have entered amounts
for those two budgets on the project. These options must be checked to spread the Earned Value for these two budgets.
3) Check the Spread using Change Data checkbox if you want to time phase the Approved Budget, Control Budget, and/or the Estimate
at Completion based on change-specific time phasing.
a. The Budget/EAC Changes must have Schedule Dates and Distribution Curves assigned.
b. The Budget/EAC Change values are spread across time and then added to the Control Account's Baseline Budget time phased
data.
c. Change data is not spread on a Control Account's Budgets or Estimate to Complete if the Control Account's Distribution Curves
are set to Manual, Plan, or None.
4) Check the Put Unspreadable Data in Start Period checkbox to place any values in the Start Period that cannot be spread.
Unspreadable data means that a portion of a total value, such as the Approved Budget, cannot be distributed in the Control
Accounts-Time Phased Data subpanes. This would cause the total values in the Control Account-Performance subpane to not match
the sum of the time phased data.
a. Two conditions must occur to cause unspreadable data:
The total value of the item being spread is not equal to the sum of the spread before the selected Start Period, and
The Control Account's Finish Date is before the selected Start Period or the Control Account's Start Date is after the Project's
last Reporting Period.
b. If this option is not enabled, there is a possibility that the sum of the budgets and/or ETC/EAC spreads may not equal the total
values in the Control Accounts-Performance subpane.
5) Check the Put Negative Data in Start Period checkbox to place any negative values in the Start Period. Negative values are generated
when a Change reduces the total Approved Budget below the sum of the previous periods Approved Budget, or the Actuals are
greater than the EAC.
6) Check the Replace Existing Curves checkbox if distribution curves are already assigned to Control Accounts and you want the Default
Curve to replace the existing distribution curves.
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a. If an external schedule is imported into PRISM and there is a mismatch between the Schedule Dates and the Reporting Periods,
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PRISM will handle this problem a bit differently:
If the Schedule Start and Finish Dates are before the Reporting Period dates, then the data is lumped into the first Reporting
Period.
If the Schedule Dates start prior to the Reporting Periods but overlap with the Reporting Periods, the data is spread across
the common periods.
If the Schedule Start and Finish Dates are after the Reporting Period dates, then the data is lumped into the last Reporting
Period.
b. If the Financial Budget is selected in Step 2 to be spread, and the Approved Budget has not been selected, this feature will not
cause the Approved Budget distribution curve to be changed.
7) Click the Default Curve ID drop-down and select a Distribution Curve. The Default Curve selected is assigned to Control Accounts
distribution curves if no curve is currently assigned. Which distribution curves are assigned depends on which Spread Data
checkboxes are selected in Step 2.
a. If the Financial Budget is selected in Step 2 to be spread, and the Approved Budget has not been selected, this feature will not
cause the Approved Budget distribution curve to be changed.
8) Click in the Percent Float box and enter a Percentage value which is used to determine which Schedule Dates are used for distributing
the Estimate to Complete and the Earned Value.
a. By default, this is blank which equates to 0%. This indicates that Early Dates are used.
b. If 100% is entered, then the Late Dates are used.
c. If a percentage ranging from 1% to 99% is entered, then a linear equation calculates the dates between the Early Dates and the
Late Dates relative to the percentage entered.
9) Check the Commitment Forecast checkbox to spread Commitments that are assigned as Forecast to Control Accounts in either the
Control Accounts-Commitments subpane or the Commitments table. The Commitment must be assigned a future Reporting Period in
order for the Commitment to be forecasted to future Reporting Periods.
10) Check the Funding checkbox to spread the Funding Amounts that are assigned to Control Accounts using the Funding
Sources-Account Assignments subpane or the Control Accounts-Breakdown subpane. Funding Amounts are assigned to Reporting
Periods based on the Post Date.
DO NOT use this option if you have manually entered Funding data in the Control Accounts-Time Phase Data subpanes.
11) Check the Cash Flow checkbox to spread Cash Flow amounts that are assigned to Cost Elements. Cash Flow amounts are assigned to
Reporting Periods and spread based on the durations and the percentage amounts defined in the Cost Management Settings (on
page 414) form.
12) Click the User-defined Amounts drop-down for each User-defined Amount that you want to spread. These drop-downs are only
available for the User-defined Amount labels defined on the Cost Management Settings (on page 414) form. The Control
Accounts-Time Phased Data subpane uses total values from the Control Accounts-Amount Transactions subpane. The drop-down
settings determine how the data is spread, which includes:
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a. None - this is the default setting; the User-define Amount Transactions are not spread.
b. Baseline - spread based on the Baseline Budget Curve assigned to a Control Account, the Control Account's Baseline Early Dates,
and the defined Reporting Periods/Work Days. The spread begins at the Start Date assigned to the Spread Baseline Budget.
c. Approved - spread based on the Approved Budget Curve assigned to a Control Account, the Control Account's Approved Early
Dates, and the defined Reporting Periods/Work Days. The spread begins at the Start Date assigned to the Spread Approved
Budget.
d. Control - spread based on the Control Budget Curve assigned to a Control Account, the Control Account's Control Early Dates,
and the defined Reporting Periods/Work Days. The spread begins at the Start Date assigned to the Spread Control Budget.
e. Financial - spread based on the Approved Budget Curve assigned to a Control Account, the Control Account's Approved Early
Dates, and the defined Reporting Periods/Work Days. The spread begins at the Start Date assigned to the Spread Financial
Budget.
f. ETC - spread based on the ETC Curve assigned to a Control Account, the Control Account's Current Early Dates, and the defined
Reporting Periods/Work Days. The spread begins at the Start Date assigned to the Spread Actual/ETC. The % Float for ETC
selection also affects the calculation in the manner described in Step 3.
g. Transactions - spread based on the Post Dates assigned to each User-defined Amount Transaction.
Note that if the Rebaseline Utility (see "Rebaseline" on page 698) is enabled, and if User-defined Amount fields are assigned as
Reprogramming Adjustment Storage fields in the Rebaseline form, then those User-defined Amount fields will not be available
to be calculated.
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Note that a Resource-loaded schedule must be imported into PRISM and Resources must be cross-referenced to Control
Elements in order for this calculation to be available.
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By default, the Baseline Budget, Approved Budget, Control Budget, and Financial Budget are distributed from the current Reporting Period
forward using the Schedule Dates. By default, the spreading of data begins at the current period forward. You can choose to distribute these
budgets starting at an earlier Reporting Period. This is usually done when changes to the baseline are entered later then when they were
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approved. PRISM will calculate the amount of budget to spread by subtracting the budget value in the early Reporting Periods not being
spread from the total budget. This is referred to as the remaining budget.
The Estimate at Completion and Earned Value is distributed from the period after the current Reporting Period using the Current Early Dates.
You can choose to distribute these starting at the current Reporting Period but this will overwrite any Period Actuals or calculated Earned
Value for the current period.
When running this calculation, you can create Control Accounts if Control Account cross-references exist in the Control Accounts-Schedule
Activities Cross-references subpane.
WARNING: This calculation can be run during project execution; however, this would be very unusual. It would mean that
Estimate at Completion quantities and costs would have to be maintained in the project schedule, which is rarely done.
If the Resource-loaded schedule does not include costs or if you want to override the labor and/or non-labor costs from the schedule, Rates
and Multipliers (on page 85) can be used to calculate costs on Control Accounts. For labor costs to be calculated:
Calculate Labor Costs option must be enabled.
Resources must have a Category ID, Quantity/Hour Element ID, and Cost Element ID defined.
Labor Rate Type must be assigned to each Control Account or the Default Labor Rate Type in Cost Management Settings must be
defined
Labor costs are calculated by multiplying the hours by bare rates and the cost multipliers when the Labor Rate Type is set to Cost Plus. They
are calculated by multiplying the hours by the time and materials rates when the Labor Rate Type is set to Time and Materials.
For non-labor costs to be calculated the Calculate Non-labor Cost Indirects option must be enabled. The bare costs are multiplied by the cost
multipliers to calculate the extended costs.
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c. The Start Period defaults to the period after the current Reporting Period for the Earned Value and the Estimate at Completion.
They can be modified to as early as the current Reporting Period or any later period.
d. The Estimate at Completion is used to spread the Estimate to Complete. This is because the total Estimate to Complete is
calculated by subtracting the Actuals to Date from the Estimate at Completion. Since the Actuals to Date typically increase each
Reporting Period, then the Estimate to Complete changes as well. If the Estimate to Complete is not respread each month, the
sum of the time phased Actuals/ETC may not match the total Estimate at Completion.
3) Check the Calculate using Time Phased Data checkbox to distribute the budgets, Earned Value and/or the Actual/ETC from the
Resource Assignments. By default, this option is enabled. Resource Assignment values are distributed over the reporting periods
based on each Resource Assignments' Schedule Dates and Distribution Curve.
4) Check the Place Unspreadable Data In Start Period checkbox to place in the Start Period any values that cannot be spread.
Unspreadable data means that a portion of a total value, such as the Approved Budget, cannot be distributed in the Control
Accounts-Time Phased Data subpanes. This would cause the total values in the Control Accounts-Performance subpane to not match
the sum of the time phased data.
a. Two conditions must occur to cause unspreadable data:
The total value of the item being spread is not equal to the sum of the spread before the selected Start Period, and
The Control Account's Finish Date is before the selected Start Period or the Control Account's Start Date is after the Project's
last Reporting Period.
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If an external schedule is imported into PRISM and there is a mismatch between the Schedule Dates and the Reporting
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Periods, PRISM will handle this problem bit differently:
If the Schedule Start and Finish Dates are before the Reporting Period dates, then the data is lumped into the first
Reporting Period.
If the Schedule Dates start prior to the Reporting Periods but overlap with the Reporting Periods, the data is spread
across the common periods.
If the Schedule Start and Finish Dates are after the Reporting Period dates, then the data is lumped into the last
Reporting Period.
b. If this option is not enabled, there is a possibility that the sum of the budgets and/or Estimate to Complete/Estimate at
Completion spreads may not equal the total values in the Control Accounts-Performance subpane.
5) If Control Account IDs are entered in the Schedule Activities-Resource Assignments subpanes but do not have matching Control
Account IDs in Control Accounts data pane, and you want those Control Accounts to be added when Calculating Budgets/EAC from
Resources, then check the Create Missing Control Accounts checkbox. Note that a Filter must not be applied in order for this option
to be available.
6) By default, this calculation transfers labor cost data imported from the resource-loaded schedule to Control Accounts. Check the
Calculate Labor Costs checkbox if you want to override the cost transfer and calculate costs using Cost Plus Multipliers or Time and
Material Rates (see "Rates and Multipliers" on page 85).
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a. This only affects Resources where the Category ID is assigned to a Labor Category, the Cost Element ID is assigned to a Cost
Element, and the Qty-Hours Element ID is assigned to an Hours Element. The costs from other Resources are transferred.
b. The Labor Rate Type assigned to Control Accounts determines if Cost Plus Multipliers or Time and Material Rates are used to
calculate labor hours. If a Labor Rate Type is not assigned on a Control Account, the Default Labor Rate Type in Cost
Management Settings (on page 414) is used. If the Default option is not assigned the resource cost data from the schedule is
used.
7) By default, this calculation transfers non-labor cost data imported from the resource-loaded schedule to Control Accounts. Check the
Calculate Non-labor Cost Indirects checkbox if you want to override the cost transfer and calculate costs using Cost Plus Multipliers
(see "Rates and Multipliers" on page 85). If this option is left unchecked, the resource cost data from the schedule is used.
8) Apply a Filter (on page 193), if necessary.
9) Click OK.
The chart below describes the function of each calculation and why the calculation is applied.
Calculate Hours and Costs with Rates Calculates total hours and total costs using rates. Recalculate Budget Details to ensure values
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Removes rates from each Budget Detail. Total hour and total
Remove Hour Rates and Cost Rates To hide rates.
cost values are not affected.
Calculate Accruals
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Typically, accruals are entered in the Actuals data pane or imported into PRISM . However, sometimes users want to use a calculation to
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automatically generate accruals. PRISM can calculate accruals and automatically enter those accruals in the Period Actuals data pane using
the Calculate Accruals calculation. Accruals are applied to Cost Elements and Hours Elements. However, they are not applied to Quantity
Elements.
The default calculation used to derive an accrual value is:
(Estimate at Completion x Percent Complete) - Actuals to Date
If the accrual calculation is used on a Control Account where the Approved Budget is equal to the Estimate at Completion, this calculation will
cause the Actuals to Date (with the accrual) to be equal to the Earned Value. This means there would be a zero Cost Variance. If the
Estimate to Complete is higher than the Approved Budget, a negative Cost Variance will be calculated.
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Warning: Be very careful using this calculation. It could yield inappropriate results.
8) Check the Calculate Control Accounts checkbox to update the Control Accounts' Period Actuals and Actuals to Date with the new
accruals data.
9) Apply a Filter (on page 193), if necessary.
10) Click the Preview button.
a. Review the Preview screen to review the accrual records prior to being added to the Period Actuals data pane.
b. Click the Complete Accruals icon to add the accrual records to the Period Actuals data pane.
c. Click the Cancel Accruals icon to halt the process and not allow accrual records to be added to the Period Actuals data pane.
11) Alternatively, click the Create Accruals button to bypass the Preview screen and have the accrual records added to the Period Actuals
data pane without reviewing the data.
Close Period
At the end of each reporting cycle, once all data for the period has been collected, processed, analyzed, and reported, the Reporting Period
for Cost Management data is closed using the Close Period calculation. You will need Exclusive Use and Run Process permissions, as well as
Exclusive Use of the project in order to run this calculation.
This function runs several calculations and processes as listed below:
Control Account Totals are calculated including Actuals, Commitments, Progress and the Current Period data is spread.
Current Reporting Period is incremented to the next Reporting Period.
Actual data in the Actuals data pane is copied to the Control Account-Actuals History subpane. How the data is copied depends on the
Actual History Setting chosen in the Cost Management Settings form.
Detail - all actual records are copied.
None - no Actual History table is created or maintained.
Accrual Reversals are generated for every Accrual in the period being closed.
Records in the Actuals data pane are deleted except for the newly-created Accrual Reversals.
Commitment data is affected depending on the type of commitments defined in the Cost Management Settings (on page 414) form:
Open Commitments - all commitment records are deleted from the Commitments data pane. The Control Accounts committed
to Date values are set to equal the Actual To Date values. It is expected that a new set of Open Commitments will be imported.
Total Commitments - the commitment records are NOT deleted from the Commitments data pane. It is expected that a new set
of Total Commitments that only includes new commitments or incremental changes to existing commitments will be imported.
Percent Complete is copied to the Previous Percent Complete.
Estimate at Completion is copied to the Previous Estimate at Completion.
In a multi-currency project, the Actuals Exchange Rate is copied to the Actuals Exchange Rate History.
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When a Reporting Period is closed, PRISM performs a system-defined process for calculating and verifying data. In an effort to expedite the
process and calculation, a User can choose if and when the data is calculated and if the data is verified during Period closeout.
Warning that modifying the standard process when Closing Out a Reporting Period can speed up the process, but should be used
with extreme caution.
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The PRISM database should always be archived (see "Archive" on page 213) prior to closing the period.
Note that it is a good approach to close out the Reporting Period just prior to processing the next period. This way, if you need to
re-print current reports, the data reported is available for the current period. Alternatively, if you are using the Project Snapshot
feature, you can create a snapshot of the project when it is finalized for the period, and then close the period.
Closing the Reporting Period in the Cost Management package does not close the Reporting Period in the Engineering or Field
Management package.
Apply Escalation
You can Apply Escalation to the Baseline Budget, Approved Budget, Control Budget, Financial Budget, or Estimate to Complete cost values.
The escalation percentages by Reporting Period must first be defined in the Escalations (on page 631) data pane. The Escalations IDs must
then be assigned to the various Cost Elements (see "Control Elements" on page 600).
Once these items are defined and the Apply Escalation calculation is run, it performs the following actions to determine the Escalated Costs.
These actions account for possible differences between summarized time phased costs and cost totals:
Current Cost - memorizes the current Cost values in the Control Accounts-Cost Elements subpane.
Current Summarized TPD Cost - summarizes Cost values in the Control Accounts-Time Phased Cost subpane for all Reporting Periods.
Escalated Summarized TPD Cost - applies escalation to the Cost data in the Control Accounts-Time Phased Cost subpane.
Escalated Cost - Calculates the Cost data in the Control Accounts-Cost Elements subpane by using the calculation:
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Escalated Costs = Escalated Summarized TPD Cost + Current Costs - Current Summarized TPD Costs
The table below indicates how escalation is calculated for one Cost Element where an Escalation Percentage is assigned in the third, sixth, and
seventh Reporting Periods. It shows how the Escalation Multiplier is calculated and how it is applied to the original cost to derive the escalated
cost values for each Reporting Period.
There is an Escalated field in the Control Accounts-Cost Elements and Control Accounts-Time Phased Cost subpanes that indicates which cost
data have been escalated. One or more of the alpha characters below are added to this field to indicate which data was escalated:
B - Baseline Budget
A - Approved Budget
C - Control Budget
F - Financial Budget
E - Estimate to Complete
If you plan on using Budget/EAC Changes to update the Approved Budget, Control Budget, Financial Budget, and Estimate at Completion, then
it is suggested that you only need to escalate the Baseline Budget. This assumes the cost values of the Budget/EAC Changes are already
escalated.
Note that when escalation is applied, it is not reversible. It is highly suggested that you maintain a copy of the unescalated
Baseline Budget in a User-defined Amounts (see "User-defined Amount" on page 90) field. That way you can always reset
the Baseline Budget and re-escalate, if necessary. The Approved Budget, Control Budget, Financial Budget, and Estimate at
Completion can then be updated based on Budget/EAC Changes. If you do not use Budget/EAC Changes then you may need to
maintain copies of the Approved Budget, Control Budget, Financial Budget, and the Estimate at Completion, as well.
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By default, escalation is NOT applied to previously escalated data. However, you have an option to Force Escalation on Data Already
Escalated.
By default, escalation is not applied to the Budgets or Estimate to Complete values on a Control Account where the Time Phase Data Curves
are assigned as Manual or Plan. Typically, time phased data entered manually is already escalated. In addition, time phased data that comes
from the Staffing Plans may have already been escalated by the use of Multipliers. However, you have options to enable the calculation of
escalation cost data using Manual or Plan distribution curves.
Escalation is applied from the project's first Reporting Period forward unless a different Budget Start Period or an ETC Start Period is selected.
Note that the Apply Escalation form is only available if the Escalation option in the Project Settings (on page 202) form is
enabled.
To Apply Escalation:
1) Select Cost Management > Calculations > Apply Escalation.
2) Check one or more of the Time Phased Data checkboxes to determine the cost data to be escalated: Baseline Budget, Approved
Budget, Control Budget, Financial Budget, and Estimate To Complete.
a. By default, the three Budgets are escalated beginning with the first Reporting Period. To calculate the escalation beginning at a
later Reporting Period, click the Budget Start Period drop-down and select a Reporting Period. Any Escalation Percentages
entered prior to the Reporting Period selected are ignored.
b. By default, the Estimate at Completion is escalated beginning with the period after the current Reporting Period. To calculate the
escalation beginning at a later Reporting Period, click the ETC Start Period drop-down and select a Reporting Period. Any
Escalation Percentages entered prior to the Reporting Period selected are ignored.
3) Check the Force Escalation On Data Already Escalated checkbox to escalate previously escalated costs. This can potentially double
the escalation and should be used with caution.
4) Check the Include Data With MANUAL Curves checkbox to escalate costs that are manually time phased. This is defined on Control
Accounts where the Time Phased Data Curves for any of the Budgets or the Estimate to Complete is assigned as Manual.
5) Check the Include Data With PLAN Curves checkbox to escalate costs derived from Staffing Plans. This is defined on Control Accounts
where the Time Phased Data Curves for any of the Budgets or the Estimate to Complete is assigned as PLAN.
6) Click the Budget Start Period drop-down and select a Reporting Period. Escalation is only applied to Baseline Budget, Approved
Budget, Control Budget, and/or Financial Budget cost data starting in this Reporting Period going forward. By default, Escalation is
calculated from the first Reporting Period of the Project.
7) Click the ETC Start Period drop-down and select a Reporting Period. Escalation is only applied to Estimate to Complete cost data
starting in this Reporting Period going forward. By default, Escalation is calculated from the first Reporting Period of the Project.
8) Apply a Filter (on page 193), if necessary.
9) Click the Apply Escalation button.
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9) Click the Change Documents Folder browse icon and select a Default Folder Location where Change documents are normally saved
for the project. This affects the Budget/EAC Changes-Documents subpane and the Trends-Documents subpane. When a document is
to be linked to a change or trend, the first folder location opened in the Select Folder form is the Default Folder Location defined in
this form.
10) Click in the Budget Details Data Date Report Header and enter a Report Header which will be displayed in all Budget Detail reports.
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11) The Schedule Data Date is used for custom reports and is not necessary to be set in the standard PRISM application.
12) Click in the Schedule Data Date Report Header and enter a Report Header which will be displayed in all Schedule reports.
13) Check the Calculate Total Float Using Start Dates Instead of Finish Dates checkbox, if you want Total Float to be calculated as the
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difference between the Early and Late Start Dates. PRISM calculates and displays the number of Calendar Days and the Total Float.
Calendar days are calculated as the difference between the Early Finish Dates and the Early Start Dates on a 7-day per week calendar.
By default, Total Float is calculated as the difference between the Early and Late Finish Dates on a 7-day per week calendar.
14) Click the Allow Manual Entry of Baseline Budget Data drop-down and select one of the following:
a. None – this setting does not allow manual Baseline Budget Data and Schedule Dates to be entered. This means Baseline Budget
data can only be entered using the Budget/EAC Changes data pane. Baseline Schedule Dates can only be entered by updating
dates in the Schedule Interface tab and using the Spread Time Phased Data calculation to transfer the dates to Control Accounts.
This approach ensures that an audit trail of budget changes relative to the baseline estimate are maintained. Note that this is the
default setting.
b. Future Time Phased Data – this setting allows Baseline Budget data to be manually entered in the Control Accounts time phased
data subpanes. The Baseline quantities, hours, and cost columns are enabled for Reporting Periods that are equal to or greater
than the Current Period. Note that Baseline quantity, hours, and cost columns in the Control Accounts-Control Elements
subpanes are read-only and data cannot be manually entered.
c. Totals And Future Time Phased – this setting allows Baseline Budget quantities, hours, and cost data to be manually entered in
the Control Accounts-Control Elements subpanes and the Control Accounts-Time Phased Data subpanes. Baseline Budget data
can be entered for all Reporting Periods that are equal to or greater than the Current Period.
d. All Time Phased – this setting allows Baseline Budget data to be manually entered for all of the project’s Reporting Periods in the
Control Accounts-Time Phased Data subpanes.
e. Totals And All Time Phased – this setting allows Baseline Budget data to be manually entered in the Control Accounts-Control
Elements subpanes and the Control Accounts-Time Phased Data subpanes. Baseline Budget data can be manually entered for all
the project’s Reporting Periods.
Note that Baseline Schedule Dates can be manually entered in the Control Accounts data pane for all of the settings listed above
with the exception of None.
15) Click the Allow Manual Entry of Approved Budget Data drop-down and select one of the following:
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a. None – this setting does not allow manual Approved Budget Data and Schedule Dates to be entered. This means Approved
Budget data can only be entered using the Budget/EAC Changes data pane. Approved Schedule Dates can only be entered by
updating dates in the Schedule Interface tab and using the Spread Time Phased Data calculation to transfer the dates to Control
Accounts. This approach ensures that an audit trail of budget changes relative to the baseline estimate are maintained. Note that
this is the default setting.
b. Future Time Phased Data – this setting allows Approved Budget data to be manually entered in the Control Accounts-Time
Phased Data subpanes. The Approved quantities, hours, and cost columns are enabled for Reporting Periods that are equal to or
greater than the Current Period. Note that Approved quantity, hours, and cost columns in the Control Accounts-Control
Elements subpanes are read-only and data cannot be manually entered.
c. Totals And Future Time Phased – this setting allows Approved Budget quantities, hours, and cost data to be manually entered in
the Control Accounts-Control Elements subpanes and the Control Accounts-Time Phased Data subpanes. Approved Budget data
can be entered for all Reporting Periods that are equal to or greater than the Current Period.
d. All Time Phased – this setting allows Approved time phased budget data to be manually entered for all of the project’s Reporting
Periods in the Control Accounts-Time Phased Data subpanes.
e. Totals And All Time Phased – this setting allows Approved Budget data to be manually entered in the Control Accounts-Control
Elements subpanes and the Control Accounts-Time Phased Data subpanes. Approved Budget data can be manually entered for
all the project’s Reporting Periods.
Note that Approved Schedule Dates can be manually entered in the Control Accounts data pane for all of the settings listed
above with the exception of None.
16) Click the Allow Manual Entry of Control Budget Data drop-down and select one of the following:
a. None – this setting does not allow manual Control Budget Data and Schedule Dates to be entered. This means Control Budget
data can only be entered using the Budget/EAC Changes data pane. Control Schedule Dates can only be entered by updating
dates in the Schedule Interface tab and using the Spread Time Phased Data calculation to transfer the dates to Control Accounts.
This approach ensures that an audit trail of budget changes relative to the baseline estimate are maintained. Note that this is the
default setting.
b. Future Time Phased Data – this setting allows Control Budget data to be manually entered in the Control Accounts time phased
data subpanes. The Control quantities, hours, and cost columns are enabled for Reporting Periods that are equal to or greater
than the Current Period. Note that Control quantity, hours, and cost columns in the Control Accounts-Control Elements subpanes
are read-only and data cannot be manually entered.
c. Totals And Future Time Phased – this setting allows Control Budget quantities, hours, and cost data to be manually entered in
the Control Accounts-Control Elements subpanes and the Control Accounts-Time Phased Data subpanes. Control Budget data
can be entered for all Reporting Periods that are equal to or greater than the Current Period.
d. All Time Phased – this setting allows Control time phased budget data to be manually entered for all of the project’s Reporting
Periods in the Control Accounts-Time Phased Data subpanes.
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e. Totals And All Time Phased – this setting allows Control Budget data to be manually entered in the Control Accounts-Control
Elements subpanes and the Control Accounts-Time Phased Data subpanes. Control Budget data can be manually entered for all
the project’s Reporting Periods.
Note that Control Schedule Dates can be manually entered in the Control Accounts data pane for all of the settings listed above
with the exception of None.
17) Click the Allow Manual Entry of Financial Budget Data drop-down and select one of the following:
a. None – this setting does not allow manual Financial Budget Data to be entered. This means Financial Budget data can only be
entered using the Budget/EAC Changes data pane. This approach ensures that an audit trail of budget changes relative to the
baseline estimate are maintained. Note that this is the default setting.
b. Future Time Phased Data – this setting allows Financial Budget data to be manually entered in the Control Accounts time phased
data subpanes. The Control quantities, hours, and cost columns are enabled for Reporting Periods that are equal to or greater
than the Current Period. Note that Financial quantity, hours, and cost columns in the Control Accounts-Control Elements
subpanes are read-only and data cannot be manually entered.
c. Totals And Future Time Phased – this setting allows Financial Budget quantities, hours, and cost data to be manually entered in
the Control Accounts-Control Elements subpanes and the Control Accounts-Time Phased Data subpanes. Financial Budget data
can be entered for all Reporting Periods that are equal to or greater than the Current Period.
d. All Time Phased – this setting allows Financial time phased budget data to be manually entered for all of the project’s Reporting
Periods in the Control Accounts-Time Phased Data subpanes.
e. Totals And All Time Phased – this setting allows Financial Budget data to be manually entered in the Control Accounts-Control
Elements subpanes and the Control Accounts-Time Phased Data subpanes. Control Budget data can be manually entered for all
the project’s Reporting Periods.
18) Check the Allow Manual Entry of Previous Data checkbox if you need to overwrite the system calculated values, Previous EAC and
Previous Percent Complete. The Previous EAC field is found in the Control Account-Control Elements subpanes. The Previous Percent
G2
Complete is found in the Control Accounts data pane. PRISM will always calculate these fields when the Reporting Period is closed.
If this checkbox is disabled then the fields are read-only.
Warning: Making manual changes to the Previous EAC is not recommended. If you do make a change, be sure that the total of
all Previous EAC values is not affected. A change to one Control Account should be offset by a change in other Control Accounts.
G2
PRISM does not perform error checking on changes to the Previous EAC.
19) Check the Cash Flow checkbox to enable the Cash Flow option, which is used to track the movement of money in and out of the
project. The following settings, forms, and fields are unhidden on the project:
a. The Cash Flow tab is unhidden in the Cost Management Settings form.
b. The Cash Flow field in the Control Elements data pane is found on the Define tab.
c. The Cash Flow checkbox is unhidden in the Spread Time Phased Data calculation.
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20) Check the Escalation checkbox to enable the Escalation (on page 93) feature, which is used to multiply the Baseline Budget, Approved
Budget, Control Budget, or Estimate to Complete Cost Element values by an Escalation Percentage to account for increased project
costs over time. The following panes, forms, and fields are unhidden on the project:
a. The Escalations (on page 631) data pane is found on the Define tab.
b. The Escalation ID field in the Control Elements (on page 600) data pane is found on the Define tab.
c. The Apply Escalation (on page 411) calculation is found on the Cost Management tab.
21) Check the Acumen Export checkbox to enable the Acumen Export feature. This will unhide the Export Acumen Data command found
on the Import/Export tab.
22) Click the Staffing Plans - Plans Hours Element drop-down and select an Hours Element ID. By making this selection, when Staffing
Plan budget or ETC records are entered, they are initially assigned an Hours Element for labor records based on this selection.
23) Click the Staffing Plans - Plans Cost Element drop-down and select a Cost Element ID. By making this selection, when Staffing Plan
budget or ETC records are entered, they are initially assigned a Cost Element for non-labor records based on this selection.
24) Click the Control Account - Funding Cost Element ID drop-down and select a Cost Element ID. By making this selection, when
Funding Amounts (see "Account Breakdown (Funding Sources)" on page 625) records are entered, they are initially assigned a Cost
Element based on this selection. Note that Funding Amounts are generally applied to a single Cost Element.
25) Click the Budget Details - Quantity Element drop-down and select a Quantity Element ID. By making this selection, when Budget
Detail records are entered, they are initially assigned a Quantity Element based on this selection.
26) Click the Budget Details - Hours Element drop-down and select an Hours Element ID. By making this selection, when Budget Detail
records are entered, they are initially assigned an Hours Element based on this selection.
27) Click the Schedule Resources - Material Quantity Element drop-down and select a Quantity Element ID. By making this selection,
when Material Resource records are imported from a schedule, they are initially assigned a Quantity Element based on this selection.
Note that these two Control Elements need to be assigned in order for the Engineering Hours to be calculated. Control Elements
are not used in the Engineering package so they must be assigned in the Cost Management package in order to transfer and
calculate Engineering data to a Control Account.
28) Click the Schedule Resources - Equipment Quantity Element drop-down and select a Quantity Element ID. By making this selection,
when Equipment Resource records are imported from a schedule, they are initially assigned a Quantity Element based on this
selection.
29) Click the Schedule Resources - Labor Hour Element drop-down and select an Hours Element ID. By making this selection, when Labor
Resource records are imported from a schedule, they are initially assigned an Hours Element based on this selection.
30) Click the Schedule Resources - Labor Cost Element drop-down and select a Cost Element ID. By making this selection, when Labor
Resource records are imported from a schedule, they are initially assigned a Cost Element based on this selection.
31) Click the Schedule Resources - Material Cost Element drop-down and select a Cost Element ID. By making this selection, when
Material Resource records are imported from a schedule, they are initially assigned a Cost Element based on this selection.
32) Click the Schedule Resources - Equipment Cost Element drop-down and select a Cost Element ID. By making this selection, when
Equipment Resource records are imported from a schedule, they are initially assigned a Cost Element based on this selection.
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33) Click the Schedule Resources - Expense Cost Element drop-down and select a Cost Element ID. By making this selection, when
Expense Resource records are imported from a schedule, they are initially assigned a Cost Element based on this selection.
34) Click the Additional tab.
35) Click in the User-defined Amount Label A box and enter a Label to add User-defined Amounts (see "User-defined Amount" on page
90) to Control Accounts. Repeat for User-defined Amount Label B through H, as necessary.
36) Click the User-defined Amount Calculation icon for Calculation A to create a calculation formula to generate User-defined Amounts
in the Control Accounts-Control Elements subpanes. The Build User-Defined Amount Calculation form appears.
a. Click any combination of the Plus icon to select a Control Account field and the Calculator buttons to generate a calculation
formula. The formula is displayed in the Formula box at the top of the form.
b. Click OK and the formula is added to the User-defined Amount Calculation box.
c. Repeat for User-defined Amount Calculations B through H, as necessary.
d. The Calculate Control Account Totals (on page 394) calculation must be run in order to generate the User-defined Amounts.
37) Click in each of the Performance Threshold boxes and the Threshold boxes and enter the Variance Percent and the Performance
Index values for both Cost and Schedule.
a. These are used to generate a Stop Light effect in the Control Accounts-Performance subpane. This affect highlights performance
data that exceeds these thresholds. The Warning value is used as a first indication of a performance problem and variances
exceeding the defined thresholds are highlighted in Yellow in the Performance subpane. The Alarm value is a higher, more
stringent value and variances that exceed these values are highlighted in Red.
b. By default, the Schedule and Cost Performance Index are set to 1.00 for Warning and 0.80 for Alarm. The Schedule and Cost
Variance Percent are set to 0% for Warning and 10% for Alarm.
38) If you are using Cost Performance Reports and you plan on reporting the following cost data separately; Cost of Money, General and
Administration, Undistributed Budget, or Management Reserve; then you will need to define Cost Elements (see "Control Elements"
on page 600) for each of these that you plan to track. Click the Cost Element drop-down for each of these items that you plan to track
and select the appropriate Cost Element.
39) If you are planning on entering Contingency amounts on a project and using Contingency Draw-down reports, then you will need to
define a Cost Element (see "Control Elements" on page 600). Click the Cost Element drop-down, and select the appropriate
Contingency cost element. Generally, one Cost Element is defined to track and monitor Contingency.
40) In the Auto-generated ID Options group box you can define IDs for Risks, Trends, or Changes to be automatically generated each time
a new record is created. The option will auto-generate Risk, Trend, or Change IDs in a sequential order using either a system-defined
or user-defined prefix. When using the auto-generate options, the separator options include a dash, underscore, period, or space.
a. None - IDs are manually entered.
b. Reporting Period + Counter - uses the current Reporting Period plus a numerical counter to automatically generate IDs. For
example, if the Reporting Period is 12, the first ID would be 0012-0001, the second 0012-0002, etc.
c. User-defined Prefix + Counter - uses a User-defined alphanumeric prefix plus a numerical counter to automatically generate IDs.
For example, if the user-defined prefix for the first ID is 001-1, the next Change ID would be 001-2.
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Note that when using the auto-generate options, the separator options include a dash, underscore, period, or space. It is
recommended that '0' be used as the first digit after the prefix and separator to avoid sorting issues (e.g., CON-0).
41) Click the Cash Flow tab. This tab is unhidden when the Cash Flow option is enabled.
42) Click in the Periods Payment Lags After Incurred/ETC box and enter the number of Reporting Periods for when the payment will be
made after the work has been completed.
43) Click the Percent Of EAC Paid In Advance box and enter the Percentage that will be paid prior to the work being initiated.
44) Click in the Days After Start For Advance Payment box and enter the number of Days after the work has been initiated that the
Advanced Payment will be made.
45) Click in the Percent Of EAC For Retention 1 box and enter the Retention Percentage that is withheld until the Contractor has fulfilled
the terms of the contract.
46) Click in the Days After Finish For Retention 1 Payment box and enter the number of Days the payment will be made after the terms
of the contract have been have fulfilled.
47) Click in the Percent Of EAC For Retention 2 box and enter the Retention Percentage that is withheld until the Contractor has fulfilled
the terms of the contract.
48) Click in the Days After Finish For Retention 2 Payment box and enter the number of Days the Contractor will be paid after it has
fulfilled the terms of the contract.
49) Click OK to save the changes or click Cancel to cancel any changes.
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Engineering
The Engineering tab is where a project's list of Engineering Documents is entered, budgeted, and statused. Groups of Engineering
Documents are combined into Engineering Accounts, which define the Performance Measurement Baseline for engineering deliverables and
tasks. Actual Hours are imported, progress and performance is calculated, variances are analyzed, and the engineering project is forecast.
Data (Engineering)
The Data ribbon group in the Engineering tab is where commands for entering data associated with Engineering Documents, Engineering
Accounts, and Engineering Changes are performed.
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Engineering Documents
The Engineering Documents data pane is used for managing Engineering documents including drawings, reports, calculations, and
specifications. This is where Engineering Documents are entered, budgeted, and statused. Once an Engineering Document has been created,
it is assigned to an Engineering Account. This can be done in two ways. The first way is by selecting an Engineering Account ID on the
Engineering Documents data pane. The other way is to use the Engineering Accounts-Engineering Documents subpane to add one or several
documents to the Engineering Account.
When creating an Engineering Document there are a number of items to assign, which include:
Document Information - used to categorize and status engineering documents.
Cross-references - used to reference and link Engineering Documents to other items, such as a Client Document Number, a Master
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Document ID, an Engineering Class ID, Document Package ID, and to other PRISM packages such as Procurement (purchase orders),
Contracts (contracts), and Prime Contracts (Prime Contracts).
Hours - used for entering planned baseline hours to produce an Engineering Document, approved budget hours, control budget
hours, and for forecasting hours to complete an Engineering Document during the execution of the project.
Percent Complete - used to calculate progress.
Schedule Dates - used to identify planned, forecast, and actual dates when an Engineering Document is started and when it is issued
for approval, for bid, and for construction.
The Engineering Baseline Development (on page 98) process provides additional details on how Engineering Documents are created and
information is entered.
Engineering Documents are statused each reporting period, meaning certain items on the Engineering Documents data pane will have to be
modified.
Document Status identifies the current status of the Engineering Document.
Revision and Revision Date identifies any revisions being tracked.
Actual Hours identifies the hours of work performed on the Engineering Document.
Estimate to Complete Hours defines the hours forecast to complete the remaining work on an Engineering Document.
If the Percent Complete Method is set to MAN, for manual entry, then the current percent complete must be assigned. Otherwise
there is the Calculate Engineering Account calculation which calculates percent complete using the various Engineering Percent
Complete Methods (on page 104) for Engineering Documents.
There is a Calculate Percent Complete icon on the navigation toolbar that performs this calculation, but only against the current
Engineering Account selected.
The Forecast Start and Forecast Finish, Issue For Approval, Issue For Bid, and Issue For Field Management schedule dates are
modified, as necessary.
The Engineering Monitoring and Analysis (on page 102) process provides additional details on how Engineering Documents are statused each
reporting period.
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17) In the Budget Hours group box, click in the Baseline Budget box and enter the Baseline Budget Hours. These are the original hours
that Engineering plans to use to produce the Engineering Document.
a. Manual Entry of data into this box can be enabled or disabled using the Allow Manual Entry of Engineering Documents -
Baseline Budget Data option found on the Engineering Settings (on page 454) form.
b. Baseline Budget Hours for Engineering Accounts can be calculated from the Baseline Budget Hours assigned to Engineering
Documents that are linked to Engineering Accounts. The Calculate Engineering Totals (see "Calculate Engineering Account
Totals" on page 448) feature is used to perform this calculation.
18) In the Budget Hours group box, click in the Budget Changes box and enter the Budget Change Hours. This is the amount of change
hours that have been added to the Engineering Document.
a. Manual Entry of data into this box can be enabled or disabled using the Allow Manual Entry of Engineering Documents -
Baseline Budget Data and/or Allow Manual Entry of Engineering Documents - Approved Budget Data.
b. Rather than entering Budget Changes manually, they can be automatically calculated from the Engineering Changes assigned to
the Engineering Document. The Calculate Engineering Totals (see "Calculate Engineering Account Totals" on page 448) feature
is used to perform this calculation. This feature also assigns the Approved Budget Change Hours to Engineering Accounts.
19) In the Budget Hours group box, click in the Approved Budget box and enter the Approved Budget Hours. This is the original hours
plus any approved change hours.
a. Manual Entry of data into this box can be enabled or disabled using the Allow Manual Entry of Engineering Documents -
Approved Budget Data option found on the Engineering Settings (on page 454) form.
b. Rather than entering Approved Budget Hours manually, they can be automatically calculated from Engineering Changes assigned
to the Engineering Document. The Calculate Engineering Totals (see "Calculate Engineering Account Totals" on page 448)
feature is used to perform this calculation. This feature also assigns the Approved Hours to Engineering Accounts.
20) In the Budget Hours group box, click in the Pending Budget box and enter the Pending Budget Hours. This is the original hours plus
any pending change hours.
a. Manual Entry of data into this box can be enabled or disabled using the Allow Manual Entry of Engineering Documents -
Pending Budget Data option found on the Engineering Settings (on page 454) form.
b. Rather than entering Pending Budget Hours manually, they can be automatically calculated from Engineering Changes assigned
to the Engineering Document. The Calculate Engineering Totals (see "Calculate Engineering Account Totals" on page 448)
feature is used to perform this calculation.
21) In the Budget Hours group box, the Earned Value box is a calculated field from the data in the Engineering Documents data pane. This
calculation is applied to To Date data. The Earned Value is the Earned Value Hours from the first Reporting Period to the current
Reporting Period.
22) In the Forecast Hours group box, click in the Actual Period box and enter the Actual Hours for the Reporting Period for the work
performed on the Engineering Document.
a. The Actual to Date Hours are automatically calculated by totaling the previous periods Actual Hours in the Actual Previous box
and adding the Actual Period Hours.
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b. Actual Hours can be imported using the Import Actual Hours (on page 680) feature.
Note that by default tracking Actual Hours is disabled in the Engineering Settings (on page 454) form. This option must be
enabled in order to enter or import (see "Import Actual Hours" on page 680) Actual Hours.
23) In the Forecast Hours group box, click in the Estimate to Complete box to enter the Estimate to Complete Hours. This is the amount
of hours that Engineering determines is remaining to produce the Engineering Document.
a. When the project is baselined, the Estimate to Complete Hours should be set equal to the Baseline Budget Hours.
b. Estimate to Complete Hours for Engineering Accounts can be calculated from Estimate to Complete Hours assigned to
Engineering Documents that are linked to Engineering Accounts. The Calculate Engineering Totals (see "Calculate Engineering
Account Totals" on page 448) feature is used to perform this calculation.
24) In the Forecast Hours group box, the ETC Previous box indicates the Estimate to Complete Hours assigned to the Engineering
Document in the previous Reporting Period.
a. Manual Entry of data into this box can be enabled or disabled using the Allow Manual Entry of Engineering Documents -
Previous Data option found on the Engineering Settings (on page 454) form.
25) In the Percent Complete group box, click the Percent Complete Method drop-down and select one of the Engineering Percent
Complete Methods (on page 104). This is a system-defined algorithm which is used to calculate the Engineering Document's percent
complete, also referred to as progress.
a. To manually enter the Percent Complete for an Engineering Document, click the Method drop-down, select MAN, then click in
the Current box, and enter a Percent Complete.
b. If this setting is left blank, then the Default Percent Complete Method, defined on the Engineering Settings (on page 454) form
is used when progress is calculated.
26) In the Percent Complete group box, the Previous Percent box indicates the Percent Complete calculated on the Engineering
Document in the previous Reporting Period.
a. Manual Entry of data into this box can be enabled or disabled using the Allow Manual Entry of Engineering Documents -
Previous Data option found in the Engineering Settings (on page 454) feature.
27) In the Schedule Dates group box, click in the Schedule Start and Schedule Finish date boxes and enter the schedule start and finish
dates when work on the document or task is scheduled to start and be completed.
28) In the Forecast Schedule Date's group box, click in the following Date boxes and enter the planned Date when each of these major
milestones are expected to occur. During project execution, you can change these dates to reflect changes to the plan. Once a major
milestone is completed, you can enter the actual completion Date and then check the Actual checkbox that corresponds with the
major milestone.
a. Forecast Start - when work on the document or task will commence. In that sense, it is similar to the Schedule Start Date.
b. Forecast Finish - when the work on the document or task will be completed. In that sense, it is similar to the Schedule Finish
Date.
c. Issue For Approval - deliverables are ready to be reviewed by the client. It means the deliverables have been completed,
reviewed internally, and all internal review comments have been incorporated.
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d. Issue For Bid - documents are provided to the purchasing agent to solicit bids to construct the project.
e. Issue For Construction - documents are provided to the construction contractors so that construction may commence.
Note that Engineering Documents are not linked to Schedule Activities found in the Cost Management package.
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6) Click in one of the Planned Finish Date cells and enter a Planned Date. Notice that the previous and following dates are automatically
assigned. The duration assigned in the Work Days is added to Planned Date for each Milestone to calculate the next Planned Date.
7) Click in the Remarks cell and enter any Additional Information.
To Status Milestones:
1) Select Engineering > Data > Engineering Documents.
2) Locate an Engineering Document.
3) Click the Milestones subpane tab.
4) For each Milestone:
a. If the activities associated with the Milestone have started, check the Started checkbox. This is optional.
b. If the activities associated with the Milestone have been completed, click the Actual Finish Date drop-down and enter the Actual
Finish Date.
c. If necessary, click in the Remarks cell and enter any Additional Information regarding the status of the Milestone.
Note that the Equipment/Materials package must be enabled on the project to view this subpane.
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Note that the Equipment/Materials package must be enabled on the project to view this subpane.
Note that the Procurement package must be enabled on the project to view this subpane.
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Note that the Contracts package must be enabled on the project to view this subpane.
Note that the Prime Contracts package must be enabled on the project to view this subpane.
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Note that the Field Management package must be enabled on the project to view this subpane.
Engineering Accounts
The Engineering Accounts data pane is used for managing a specific scope of work and related Engineering project activities. An Engineering
Account serves as an interface point where a group of Engineering Documents and Engineering Tasks like meetings and field walk downs are
assigned, budgeted, and statused. Engineering Accounts are used for tracking budgets, actuals, forecasts, and earned value in terms of hours.
Each Engineering Account is then integrated with a schedule to create time-phased engineering plans and forecasts in hours. When used in
conjunction with the Cost Management package, Engineering Accounts are linked to Control Accounts to transfer engineering progress data.
When creating an Engineering Account there are a number of items to assign, which include:
Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) - used to sort, group, summarize, and filter data.
Baseline Source - used to determine where the Baseline Budget hours, displayed on the Engineering Accounts, are derived from.
Percent Complete Method - used to calculate progress.
Labor Category ID - used to calculate cost data based on hours when linked to Control Accounts in the Cost Management package.
Schedule Dates - used for time-phasing hours; dates included are Baseline, Approved, Control, and Current.
Distribution Curves - algorithms used to spread hours for the Baseline Budget, Approved Budget, Control Budget, and Estimate to
Complete based on Start and Finish Dates. These hours are distributed in the Time Phased Hours subpane.
Documents Planned - used to identify the planned quantity of documents being generated.
The Engineering Baseline Development (on page 98) process provides additional details on how Engineering Accounts are created and
information is entered.
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Engineering Accounts are progressed each reporting period, which means certain items in the Engineering Account data pane will have to be
modified.
If the Percent Complete Method is set to MAN, for manual entry, then the current percent complete method must be assigned.
Otherwise this is an automatic calculation when using the Calculate Engineering Account Totals (on page 448) function.
The Approved/Control and Current Schedule Dates are modified as necessary.
There are several Engineering Account subpanes in which data is typically entered through a global process.
The Calculate Engineering Account Totals (on page 448) function is used to calculate Progress, Baseline, Approved, and Control Budgets, and
the Estimate at Completion for every Engineering Account. The Spread Engineering Budget calculation is used globally time phase each
Engineering Account's Baseline Budget, Approved Budget, Control Budget, and ETC hours across a range of Schedule Dates.
There are three icons on the navigation toolbar that perform similar actions but only against the current Engineering Account selected:
Calculate Engineering Account - calculates the Approved Budget Hours, Control Budget Hours, and the Percent Complete. It does not
calculate the Baseline Budget Hours, so that the Baseline Budget Hours are not inadvertently modified.
Spread Engineering Budget - spreads the Approved Budget Hours in the Engineering Account-Time Phased Hours subpane from the
current Reporting Period to the Approved Finish Date using the Approved Budget Time Phased Data Distribution Curve. The Control
Budget Hours are calculated in the same manner, except using the Control Finish Date and the Control Budget Time Phased Data
Distribution Curve.
Spread ETC/Earned - spreads the remaining Earned Value and the Estimate to Complete Hours in the Engineering Account-Time
Phased Hours subpane from the next Reporting Period to the Current Finish Date using the Estimate to Complete Time Phased Data
Distribution Curve.
The Engineering Monitoring and Analysis (on page 102) process provides additional details on how Engineering Accounts are statused each
reporting period.
4) If you wish to change the Description, click in the Description box and enter a new Description for the Engineering Account.
5) Click the WBS ID drop-down and select a WBS ID, if they have been defined for the project.
a. The WBS IDs listed in the drop-down are only those defined at the lowest level of the WBS in the WBS data pane.
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b. The WBS may have automatically been assigned when the Engineering Account was created depending on if WBS Masking (see
"Work Breakdown Structure" on page 611) had been applied.
6) Click the Baseline Source drop-down and select one of the three Baseline Sources:
a. Document Budget Hours - Engineering Account's Baseline Budget Hours are calculated as the sum of the Baseline Hours from
the linked Engineering Document.
b. Account Baseline Budget Hours - Engineering Account's Baseline Budget Hours are calculated as the sum of the Baseline Hours
from the Baseline Hours subpane.
c. Manual - Engineering Account's Baseline Budget Hours are manually entered in the Engineering Account's Baseline Budget Hours
box.
7) Click the Control Account ID drop-down and select a Control Account ID, if they have been defined for the project. This is used to link
Engineering Accounts to Control Accounts so that Engineering progress data can be used to calculate progress on Control Accounts.
Several Engineering Accounts can be linked to one Control Account.
8) Click the Labor Category ID drop-down and select a Labor Category ID, if they have been defined for the project. By assigning a Labor
Category ID, Engineering progress data can be used to calculate Engineering costs on linked Control Accounts. The Labor Category ID
rate is an estimated average labor rate for the Engineering Account.
9) In the At Completion Hours group box, click in the Baseline Budget box and enter the Baseline Budget Hours.
a. This is only necessary if you want to manually enter the Baseline Budget Hours instead of letting them be calculated from the
baseline hours entered in Engineering Documents or the Engineering Account-Baseline Hours subpane.
b. The Baseline Source must be set to Manual.
c. The Allow Manual Entry of the Engineering Accounts - Baseline Budget Data option must be enabled in Engineering Settings
(on page 454).
d. Baseline Budget Hours can be populated from Engineering Documents that are linked to the Engineering Accounts. The Calculate
Engineering Account Totals (on page 448) calculation must be run with the Baseline Budget using Document Budget Hour Data
option selected.
e. Baseline Budget Hours can be populated from tasks entered the Engineering Accounts-Baseline Hours subpane. The Calculate
Engineering Account Totals (on page 448) calculation must be run with the Baseline Budget using Baseline Budget Hour Data
option selected.
10) In the At Completion Hours group box, click in the Approved Budget box and enter the Approved Budget Hours.
a. This is only necessary if you want to manually enter the Approved Budget Hours instead of letting them be calculated from the
Change Hours entered in Engineering Budget Changes.
b. The Allow Manual Entry of the Engineering Accounts - Approved Budget Data option must be enabled in Engineering Settings
(on page 454).
c. Approved Budget Hours can be calculated by adding Engineering Changes (on page 445) to the Engineering Account's Baseline
Budget Hours. The Calculate Engineering Account Totals (on page 448) calculation must be run with the Approved Budget using
Budget Change Data option selected.
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11) In the At Completion Hours group box, click in the Estimate at Completion box and enter the Estimate at Completion Hours.
a. This is only necessary if you want to manually enter the Estimate at Completion Hours.
b. Estimate at Completion Hours can be calculated by adding the Actual Hours to the Engineering Documents' Estimate to
Complete Hours. The Calculate Engineering Account Totals (on page 448) calculation must be run with the EAC using Actual to
Date and Documents ETC option selected.
12) In the At Completion Hours group box, the Previous EAC box indicates the Previous Estimate at Completion Hours applied to the
Engineering Account in the previous Reporting Period.
a. Manual Entry of data into this box can be enabled or disabled using the Allow Manual Entry of Engineering Accounts - Previous
Data option found in the Engineering Settings (on page 454) feature.
13) In the At Completion Hours group box, there are three calculated values:
a. Estimate to Complete - this is calculated as Actuals to Date Hours - Estimate at Completion Hours.
b. HV % - this represents the Hours Variance Percentage. SV % - this represents the Schedule Variance Percentage using Hours
data. This is calculated as (Earned Value Hours - Approved Budget Hours) / Approved Budget Hours. The Period data uses hours
only for the current Reporting Period. The To Date data uses Hours from the first Reporting Period to the current Reporting
Period. This data is calculated from data in the Engineering Accounts-Time Phased Hours subpane.
c. SPI - this represents the Schedule Performance Index using Hours data. This is calculated as Earned Value Hours - Approved
Budget Hours. The Period data uses hours only for the current Reporting Period. The To Date data uses Hours from the first
Reporting Period to the current Reporting Period. This data is calculated from data in the Engineering Accounts-Time Phased
Hours subpane. This is calculated as (Approved Budget Hours - Estimate at Completion Hours) / Approved Budget Hours.
d. HPI - this represents the Hours Performance Index (similar to Cost Performance Index except that Hours are used). This is
calculated as Approved Budget Hours / Estimate at Completion Hours.
14) In the Performance Hours group box, click in the Period Actual Hours box and enter the Actual Hours for the Reporting Period for the
work performed on the Engineering activities associated with the Engineering Account.
a. The Actual to Date Hours are automatically calculated by totaling the previous periods Actual Hours in the Time Phased Hours
subpane and adding the Period Actuals Hours.
b. Actual Hours can be imported using the Import Actual Hours (on page 680) feature.
15) In the Performance Hours group box, there are six calculated fields. These calculations are applied to both Period data and To Date
data. The data for these fields is calculated from data in the Engineering Accounts-Time Phased Hours subpane.
a. Budget - the period Hours is the Approved Budget Hours for the current Reporting Period. The To Date Hours is the Approved
Budget Hours from the first Reporting Period to the current Reporting Period.
b. Earned - the period Earned is the Earned Value Hours for the current Reporting Period. The To Date Earned is the Earned Value
Hours from the first Reporting Period to the current Reporting Period.
c. SV % - this represents the Schedule Variance Percentage using Hours data. This is calculated as (Earned Value Hours - Approved
Budget Hours) / Approved Budget Hours. The Period data uses hours only for the current Reporting Period. The To Date data
uses Hours from the first Reporting Period to the current Reporting Period.
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d. SPI - this represents the Schedule Performance Index using Hours data. This is calculated as Earned Value Hours - Approved
Budget Hours. The Period data uses hours only for the current Reporting Period. The To Date data uses Hours from the first
Reporting Period to the current Reporting Period.
e. HV % - this represents the Hours Variance Percentage (similar to Cost Variance Percentage except that Hours are used). This is
calculated as (Earned Value Hours - Actual Hours) / Earned Value Hours. The Period data uses hours only for the current
Reporting Period. The To Date data uses Hours from the first Reporting Period to the current Reporting Period.
f. HPI - this represents the Hours Performance Index (similar to Cost Performance Index except that Hours are used). This is
calculated as Earned Value Hours / Actual Hours. The Period data uses hours only for the current Reporting Period. The To Date
data uses Hours from the first Reporting Period to the current Reporting Period.
16) In the Performance Index group box, click in the Estimate To Complete box and enter the Hours Performance Index Estimate to
Complete Hours for the Engineering Account. This is a manually entered number that can be used as an alternative method for
calculating the Engineering Account's (see "Calculate Engineering Account Totals" on page 448) Estimate at Completion.
17) Click the Percent Complete Method drop-down and select an Engineering Percent Complete Method (see "Engineering Percent
Complete Methods" on page 104). This is a system-defined algorithm which is used to calculate the Engineering Account's percent
complete, also referred to as progress.
a. Set to MAN to manually enter the Percent Complete in the Current Percent Complete box.
b. If this setting is left blank, then the Default Percent Complete Method, defined in the Engineering Settings (on page 454) form, is
used when progress is calculated.
18) Click in the Baseline, Approved, and Current Schedule Date boxes and enter the Start and Finish Dates. This method of manually
entering dates is time consuming. Typically dates are imported into the Cost Management package from an external schedule. The
Early Schedule Dates imported into the Activities data pane can then be copied to the Engineering Accounts using the Copy Schedule
Dates (on page 695) utility.
a. The Baseline Dates reflect the Engineering project's baseline schedule. The Baseline Dates are used, along with the Budget
Distribution Curve algorithm, to time phase the Baseline Budget Hours.
b. The Approved Dates reflect the Engineering project's baseline plus approved schedule changes. The Approved Dates are used,
along with the Approved Budget Distribution Curve algorithm, to time phase the Approved Budget Hours.
c. The Current Dates reflect the current working schedule, also referred to as the forecast schedule. The Current Dates are used,
along with the Estimate to Complete Distribution Curve algorithm, to time phase the Estimate to Complete Hours.
19) For each Time Phased Data Distribution Curve, select the Curve ID drop-down and select a Distribution Curve. These are algorithms
for spreading budgets and forecast data in the Engineering Accounts-Time Phased Hours subpane. Time phased data is not changed
by simply selecting a curve. You must run the Spread Engineering Time Phased Data (on page 451) calculation.
a. Baseline Budget - Baseline Budget is spread across the Baseline Budget Schedule Dates.
b. Approved Budget - Approved Budget and the Earned Value are spread across the Approved Budget Schedule Dates.
c. Estimate to Complete - ETC is spread across the Estimate to Complete Schedule Dates.
The table below indicates the different system-defined distribution curves available and how they spread data.
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Curve ID Description
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3) Click the Calculate Engineering Account icon located in the Navigation Toolbar to calculate the Account's progress and earned value
data.
4) Click the Spread Engineering Budget icon located in the Navigation Toolbar to time phase the Account's Approved Budget. The
spreading starts from the current Reporting Period.
5) Click the Spread ETC/Earned Budget icon located in the Navigation Toolbar to time phase the Account's Estimate to Complete Hours
and the forecast Earned Value Hours. The spreading starts from the period after the current Reporting Period.
Note that these features only affect the single Engineering Account selected. Using the Calculate Engineering Account Totals
(on page 448) and the Spread Engineering Time Phased Data (on page 451) calculations not only allows you to globally
calculate all Engineering Accounts, but it also provides you greater control over these calculations.
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To Enter Changes:
1) Select Engineering > Data > Engineering Accounts.
2) Locate an Engineering Account.
3) Click the Change Hours subpane tab.
4) Click the Add Record icon, select an Engineering Change, and click OK. A Change must have been previously created in the
Engineering Change data pane. The Engineering Change Description is also displayed.
5) The Change Status, which is assigned to a Change in the Engineering Change data pane, is displayed.
6) Click the Engineering Document ID drop-down and select an Engineering Document ID if the Change affects a specific Engineering
Document. The Engineering Document Description is also displayed.
a. Multiple records of the same Engineering Change ID can be entered. This is useful if you want to indicate Changes affecting
individual Engineering Documents.
7) Click the Category ID drop-down and select a Category ID. This function currently is not enabled.
8) Click in the Scope cell and enter a brief Description of the change.
9) Click in the Change Hours cell and enter the Change Hours.
a. Change Hours are added to the Baseline Budget Hours to calculate the Approved Budget Hours on Engineering Accounts.
b. Change Hours can be either positive or negative in order to add more hours or subtract hours from the Approved Budget.
10) Click in the Post Date cell and enter the Date the change was posted.
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Warning: You can manually enter or modify data in the Time Phased subpanes; however, it is highly recommended that data is
entered through the use of calculations.
In order to enter data manually, the Time Phased Data Distribution Curves would have to be set to MAN, for manual; otherwise the system
will overwrite any manually entered data when the Spread Engineering Time Phased Data calculation is run. When manually adding records to
this subpane, you must select one or more Reporting Periods.
The following list of fields is tracked in the Time Phased Data subpanes. This list indicates which fields are read-only and which fields will warn
you when you try to manually enter data into the field:
Baseline Budget
Approved Budget Warning when entering data in past periods.
Control Budget
Earned Value
Control Earned Value Read-only for past and current periods.
Actuals/ETC
Approved Budget Changes
Control Budget Changes Read-only for all periods.
EAC Variance
The Baseline Budget, Approved Budget, and Control Budget fields can be locked so that no data can be modified if the Allow Manual Entry
options are enabled in the Engineering Settings (on page 454) form.
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7) The Control Budget cell displays the Control Budget amount for the Reporting Period.
8) The Earned Value cell displays the Earned Value amount for the Reporting Period.
9) The Control Earned Value cell displays the Control Earned Value amount for the Reporting Period.
10) The Actual/ETC cell displays the Actual amount for the Reporting Period, if the period is the current or any previous periods. This
cell displays the ETC amount for future periods.
Note that Actuals cannot be modified in past Reporting Periods in this subpane. You will need to use the Import Data from File
feature to change Actuals in import changes to historical Actuals Hours.
11) The Approved Budget Changes cell displays the Hours added to the Approved Budget in the Reporting Period that the Hours were
added.
12) The Control Budget Changes cell displays the Hours added to the Control Budget in the Reporting Period that the Hours were added.
13) The EAC Variance cell displays the difference between the Previous Period's EAC and the EAC for the Reporting Period. The Previous
Period's EAC is the value that was entered for the reporting period prior to Closing the Reporting Period.
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Note that this subpane is hidden unless the Enable Milestones feature is enabled in the Engineering Settings (on page 454)
form.
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4) Click in the Percent Complete cell and enter a Percent Complete that reflects the cumulative percent complete of the current and
previous Milestones.
5) Click in the Work Days cell and enter the average number of Work Days it takes to perform the specific step.
6) Click in one of the Planned Finish Date cells and enter a Planned Date. Notice that the previous and following dates are automatically
assigned. The duration assigned in the Work Days is added to Planned Date for each Milestone to calculate the next Planned Date.
7) Click in the Remarks cell and enter any Additional Information.
To Status Milestones:
1) Select Engineering > Data > Engineering Accounts.
2) Locate an Engineering Account.
3) Click the Milestones subpane tab.
4) For each Milestone:
a. If the activities associated with the Milestone have started, check the Started checkbox. This is optional.
b. If the activities associated with the Milestone have been completed, click the Actual Finish Date drop-down and enter the Actual
Finish Date.
c. If necessary, click in the Remarks cell and enter any Additional Information regarding the status of the Milestone.
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Engineering Changes
During the course of the project, it is likely the scope of the project will be modified. This means that new Engineering Documents and tasks
may be added, existing documents may need to be modified, and existing tasks may be extended.
Any change in Hours to produce Engineering Documents or perform Engineering tasks need to be accounted for in a formal manner. Keeping
track of each change and how it affects the baseline is vital. This is because it provides the auditable documentation that indicates who
requested the change, when it was requested, and the number of hours added or moved from each Engineering Account.
The Engineering Changes data pane is used for making scope modifications to an Engineering project. Each Engineering Change is assigned to
a Change Variety in order to classify the change. In addition, the Change Source is added to indicate how the change originated.
When an Engineering Change is first entered, it is assigned a Change Status. The Change Status indicates the current status of the change. At
the beginning of a Change, it might be set to Submitted or any code that indicates the Change was just created. An Engineering Change has a
lifecycle, which is defined by your project or company. As the Engineering Change proceeds and certain actions are completed, the change can
be set to reflect the current status.
The Final Status checkbox is enabled to lock the Engineering Change, disallowing any changes to be made to the Change. This also locks the
Change so it cannot be added to an Engineering Account from the Engineering Accounts-Change Hours subpane. You can always uncheck the
Final Status checkbox if alterations are necessary. This just ensures that the finalized Change is not inadvertently modified or added to an
Engineering Account.
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12) The Total Change Hours box indicates the total Change Hours summarized from the details entered in the Engineering
Changes-Engineering Account Change Hours subpane.
13) Click in the Schedule Impact box and enter a Narrative that describes the impact that the Change will have to the project's schedule.
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Calculations (Engineering)
The Calculations ribbon group in the Engineering tab is where commands that allow you to calculate progress, baseline and approved
budgets, and estimate to complete hours on Engineering Accounts. In addition, there are commands used to time phase Engineering Account
data and to close Engineering Reporting Periods.
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Document Budget Hours Summarized hours from Engineering Documents that are linked to an Engineering Account
Account Baseline Budget Hours Summarized hours from items assigned in the Engineering Accounts-Baseline Hours subpane
Manual No calculation; uses hours manually entered in the Engineering Account
At the beginning of a project the Baseline Budget Hours, Approved Budget Hours, Control Budget Hours, and the Estimate at Completion
Hours should be equal. The Calculate Engineering Account Totals calculation has the Approved Budget Using Engineering Change Data option
to calculate the Approved Budget as well as a Control Budget Using Engineering Change Data option to calculate the Control Budget. The
calculation is performed by adding the Baseline Budget Hours and the Change Hours. Since there are no Change Hours at the beginning of the
project, the Baseline Budget Hours, the Approved Budget Hours, and the Control Budget Hours are calculated to be equal.
There are three options to calculate the Estimate at Completion. One of these options, EAC Using Engineering Change Data is similar to the
Approved Budget calculation in that it adds the Change Hours to the Baseline Budget Hours to calculate the Estimate at Completion Hours.
This should be used when baselining the project to ensure the Estimate at Completion Hours are equal to the Baseline Budget Hours.
There is also an option to calculate Actual to Date Using Document Actual To Date when using the Baseline Source of Document Budget
Hours. This calculation uses an Engineering Document's actual hours worked to calculate progress on an Engineering Account by adding the
summation of the Engineering Documents' Period Actuals + Previous Actuals to Date. Because Actual Hours are typically not tracked at the
Document level, the Show Document Actual Hours must be enabled in the Engineering Settings form.
The third option to calculate the Estimate at Complete is EAC Using Actual To Date And ETC With HPI, which uses the Actual To Date data
with Hours Performance Index Estimate to Complete data to calculate progress on an Engineering Account. This calculation is defined as EAC =
Actual To Date + ((Approved Budget - Earned To Date) / HPI).
It is possible to create a list of Engineering Documents and directly assign an Engineering Account ID to each Document without having
created the Engineering Accounts first. The Calculate Engineering Account Totals calculation includes an option to Create Missing Engineering
Accounts. If selected, all the Engineering Accounts would be created when this calculation is run. However, you will still have to fill in details
such as the Engineering Account Description.
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The Progress and Time Phased Data option is enabled by default. You can choose to not calculate this data, however, calculating the data
does not have any adverse affects. This option calculates the Percent Complete for Engineering Documents and Engineering Accounts based
on the Engineering Percent Complete Methods (on page 104) assigned to each record. It also calculates the Earned Value for the current
Reporting Period in Engineering Accounts.
The Estimate at Completion Using Engineering Documents ETC Data option calculates the Engineering Accounts Estimate to Complete for
Engineering Accounts that have the Baseline Source set to Document Budget Hours. The Estimate to Complete Hours entered on Engineering
Documents that are linked to an Engineering Account are summarized and added to the Engineering Account's Actual to Date Hours.
Note that there are three options for calculating the Estimate at Completion. You will need to decide which method is appropriate
for your project.
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b. Use Baseline Budget Hour Data checkbox in order to calculate the Baseline Budget Hours for Engineering Accounts that have the
Baseline Source assigned as Account Baseline Budget Hours.
7) Click the Approved Budget drop-down, and select the Use Engineering Change Data checkbox in order to calculate the Approved
Budget Hours for Engineering Accounts by adding the Engineering Change Hours to the Baseline Budget Hours. This option also
applies the Approved Budgets to Engineering Documents if the Engineering Change specifies any Engineering Documents.
a. The Change Status assigned to the Engineering Change will have to be defined to add the Change Hours to the Engineering
Account.
b. Pending Hours are also applied to Engineering Documents if the Change Status (on page 273) assigned to the Engineering
Change is defined to apply the Change Hours to Pending.
8) Click the Control Budget drop-down, and select Use Engineering Change Data checkbox in order to calculate the Baseline Budget
Hours for Engineering Accounts by adding the Engineering Change Hours to the Baseline Budget Hours. This option also applies the
Control Budgets to Engineering Documents if the Engineering Change specifies any Engineering Documents.
a. The Change Status assigned to the Engineering Change will have to be defined to add the Change Hours to the Engineering
Account.
b. Pending Hours are also applied to Engineering Documents in the Change Status assigned to the Engineering Change is defined to
apply the Change Hours to Pending.
9) Click the Estimate At Completion drop-down, and select one of the following:
a. Use Actual To Date And Engineering Documents ETC checkbox in order to calculate the Estimate at Completion Hours for
Engineering Accounts by adding the summation of the linked Engineering Documents' Estimate to Complete Hours to the
Engineering Account's Actuals to Date Hours.
b. Use Actual To Date And ETC With PI checkbox in order to calculate the Account's Estimate at Completion Hours using the Hours
Performance Index Estimate to Complete. This Estimate at Completion is calculated as Actual To Date + ((Approved Budget -
Earned To Date) / HPI).
c. Use Engineering Change Data checkbox in order to calculate the Estimate at Completion Hours for Engineering Accounts by
adding the Engineering Change Hours to the Baseline Budget Hours.
d. The Change Status assigned to the Engineering Change will have to be defined to add the Change Hours to the Engineering
Account.
Pending Hours are also applied to Engineering Documents if the Change Status (on page 273) assigned to the Engineering
Change is defined to apply the Change Hours to Pending.
10) Check the Baseline Dates Using Document Schedule Dates checkbox in order to calculate the Engineering Account's Baseline Start
and Finish Dates. This calculation uses the Engineering Documents' earliest Schedule Start Date and the latest Schedule Finish Date.
11) Check the Approved Dates Using Document Schedule Dates checkbox in order to calculate the Engineering Account's Approved Start
and Finish Dates. This calculation uses the Engineering Documents' earliest Schedule Start Date and the latest Schedule Finish Date.
12) Check the Control Dates Using Document Schedule Dates checkbox in order to calculate the Engineering Account's Control Start and
Finish Dates. This calculation uses the Engineering Documents' earliest Schedule Start Date and the latest Schedule Finish Date.
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13) Check the Current Dates Using Document Forecast Dates checkbox in order to calculate the Engineering Account's Current Start and
Finish Dates. This calculation uses the Engineering Documents' Forecast Start Date and the Forecast Finish Date.
14) Apply a Filter (on page 193), if necessary.
15) Click OK.
1 200 200
2 200 200
3 200 200
4 200 200
5 200 200
This next example indicates that the Baseline Budget is spread starting at Period 1 and the Estimate to Complete is spread starting at Period 2
(the period after the Current Reporting Period).
1 200
2 200 250
3 200 250
4 200 250
5 200 250
If the Actual value for Period 1 is 100, then the Estimate to Complete is calculated as shown in the example below.
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1 200 100
2 200 225
3 200 225
4 200 225
5 200 225
You can choose to spread the Baseline Budget, Approved Budget, Control Budget, Earned Value, or the Actual/ETC hours independently or all
at the same time.
The Budgets always default to the current Reporting Period, but you can set it to any period. The Earned Value and Actual/ETC always default
to the period after the current Reporting Period. You can change it to any period starting from the current Reporting Period forward. When
baselining the project, these should all be set to Period 1.
Note that during project execution, if the Earned Value and the Actual/ETC are set to the current Reporting Period, then the
calculated Earned Value and the Period Actuals are overwritten. The only reason to do this is if you do not have final period
actuals and performance and you want to simulate Earned Value and Actual values for the current Reporting Period.
G2
The Put Unspreadable Data In Start Period option is used to place hours into the start period if, for some reason, PRISM cannot spread
them appropriately. Unspreadable data can be caused by several situations:
The project is extended past the end of the last defined Reporting Period.
A change is approved several periods after the start date for the Activities tied to the change.
If any of these situations occur and this option is not selected then the total of the Time Phased Hours may not equal the Engineering Account
Total Hours.
The Put Negative Data In Start Period option is used to place negative Hours into the start period. For instance, if the total Estimate at
Completion Hours is 500 and the total of Actual Hours is 600 through last period, the Actual/ETC Hours for the current Period is calculated to
be -100.
2) For each type of data check the Spread Data checkbox and then click the Start Period pick list and select a Start Period, which is the
beginning period from which the hours are spread.
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a. Baseline Budget
b. Approved Budget
c. Control Budget
d. Earned Value
e. Actual/ETC
3) Check the Put Unspreadable Data in Start Period checkbox, if necessary.
4) Check the Put Negative Data in Start Period checkbox, if necessary.
5) Check the Replace Existing Curves checkbox, if necessary.
6) Click the Default Curve ID drop-down and select a Curve ID.
7) Apply a Filter, if necessary.
8) Click OK.
Warning: If any Control Accounts in the Cost Management package are utilizing the ENG Percent Complete Method, then, in order
to calculate progress in the Cost Management package, the Reporting Periods in each package must be set to the same period.
G2
You should always Archive the PRISM database prior to closing out the Reporting Period.
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G2
When a Reporting Period is closed, PRISM performs a system-defined process for calculating and verifying data. In an effort to expedite the
process and calculation, a User can choose if and when the data is calculated and if the data is verified during Period closeout.
Warning that modifying the standard process when Closing Out a Reporting Period can speed up the process, but should be used
with extreme caution.
Tools (Engineering)
The Tools ribbon group in the Engineering tab is where options and settings are defined that affect data, forms, and processes associated with
the Engineering package.
Engineering Settings
The Engineering Settings form establishes the settings and options specific to the Engineering package. These settings are usually defined at
the beginning of the project and affect the following functions.
Engineering Accounts percent complete method
Engineering Documents percent complete method
Manual entry of data
Engineering Accounts Variance Analysis Thresholds
In order to access the Engineering Settings form, at a minimum, you must have Process permissions.
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10) Click the Default Engineering Accounts Percent Complete Method drop-down and select one of the Engineering Percent Complete
Methods (on page 104). The Percent Complete Method applies an algorithm to calculate an Engineering Account's percent complete.
When new Engineering Accounts are added, the Percent Complete Method for each Engineering Account is automatically set to the
Default code.
a. After creating the Engineering Account, the Percent Complete Method can be reset to use any other method.
b. If an Engineering Account does not have a Percent Complete Method assigned, then this default code is used when progress is
calculated.
11) Click the Hours Element drop-down and select an Hours Element ID. By making this selection, Engineering Hours can be transferred
to Control Accounts in the Cost Management package. The Engineering Hours can then be used when calculating Control Accounts
when using the Calculate Control Account (see "Calculate Control Account Totals" on page 394) totals calculations.
12) Click the Cost Element drop-down and select a Cost Element ID. By making this selection, when Engineering Hours are used to
calculate the Control Account using the Calculate Control Account (see "Calculate Control Account Totals" on page 394) totals
calculations, the Cost Element will be displayed in the Control Accounts-Cost Element subpane. In order for Cost to be calculated on a
Control Account using Engineering hours, a Labor Category ID must be assigned to the Engineering Account. If a Labor Category is not
assigned, the ETC Rate for the Cost Element on the Control Account is used.
13) Click the Documents Folder browse icon and select a Default Folder Location where Change documents are normally saved for the
project. This affects the Engineering Changes-Change Documents subpane. When a document is to be linked to a change, the first
folder location opened in the Select Folder form is the Default Folder Location defined in this form.
14) Click the Auto-generated Change IDs drop-down to define a method for how Change IDs will be labeled when they are created. The
following options allow both system-defined and user-defined IDs to be generated.
a. None - IDs are manually entered.
b. Reporting Period + Counter - uses the current Reporting Period plus a numerical counter to automatically generate IDs. For
example, if the Reporting Period is 12, the first ID would be 0012-0001, the second 0012-0002, etc.
c. User-defined Prefix + Counter - uses a User-defined alphanumeric prefix plus a numerical counter to automatically generate IDs.
For example, if the user-defined prefix for the first ID is 001-1, the next Change ID would be 001-2.
Note that when using the auto-generate options, the separator options include a dash, underscore, period, or space. It is
recommended that '0' be used as the first digit after the prefix and separator to avoid sorting issues (e.g., CON-0).
15) Click the Allow Manual Entry of Baseline Budget Data drop-down and select one of the following to manually enter Baseline Budget
data for Engineering Accounts:
a. None – this setting does not allow manual Baseline Budget Hours, Baseline Schedule Schedule Dates, and Baseline Budget
Distribution Curves to be directly entered to Engineering Accounts. This means Baseline Budget hours can only be entered using
the Engineering Changes data pane. Baseline Schedule Dates can only be entered by updating dates in the Schedule Interface tab
and using the Spread Time Phased Data calculation to transfer the dates to Engineering Accounts. This approach ensures that an
audit trail of budget changes relative to the baseline estimate are maintained. Note that this is the default setting.
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b. Future Time Phased Data – this setting allows Baseline Budget Hours to be manually entered in the Engineering Accounts-Time
Phased Hours subpane. The Baseline Hours column is enabled for Reporting Periods that are equal to or greater than the Current
Period.
c. Totals And Future Time Phased – this setting allows Baseline Budget Hours to be manually entered in the Engineering Accounts
At Completion Hours group box and the Engineering Accounts-Time Phased Hours subpane. Baseline Budget Hours can be
entered for all Reporting Periods that are equal to or greater than the Current Period.
d. All Time Phased – this setting allows Baseline Budget Hours to be manually entered for all of the project’s Reporting Periods in
the Engineering Accounts-Time Phased Hours subpane.
e. Totals And All Time Phased – this setting allows Baseline Budget Hours to be manually entered in the Engineering Accounts At
Completion Hours group box and the Engineering Accounts-Time Phased Hours subpane. Baseline Budget Hours can be manually
entered for all of the Engineering project's Reporting Periods.
Note that the Baseline Source drop-down in the Engineering Accounts data pane must also be set to Manual to manually enter
data to an Engineering Account. Note that Baseline Schedule Dates and Baseline Budget Distribution Curves can be manually
entered in the Engineering Accounts data pane for all of the settings listed above with the exception of None. This option should
be disabled if you do not want to inadvertently modify the Baseline Budget data.
16) Click the Allow Manual Entry of Approved Budget Data drop-down and select one of the following to manually enter Approved
Budget data for Engineering Accounts:
a. None – this setting does not allow manual Approved Budget Hours, Approved Schedule Dates, and Approved Budget Distribution
Curves to be directly entered to Engineering Accounts. This means Approved Budget data can only be entered using the
Engineering Changes data pane. Approved Schedule Dates can only be entered by updating dates in the Schedule Interface tab
and using the Spread Time Phased Data calculation to transfer the dates to Engineering Accounts. This approach ensures that an
audit trail of budget changes relative to the baseline estimate are maintained. Note that this is the default setting.
b. Future Time Phased Data – this setting allows Approved Budget Hours to be manually entered in the Engineering Accounts-Time
Phased Hours subpane. The Approved Hours column is enabled for Reporting Periods that are equal to or greater than the
Current Period.
c. Totals And Future Time Phased – this setting allows Approved Budget Hours to be manually entered in the Engineering Accounts
At Completion Hours group box and the Engineering Accounts-Time Phased Hours subpane. Approved Budget Hours can be
entered for all Reporting Periods that are equal to or greater than the Current Period.
d. All Time Phased – this setting allows Approved Budget Hours to be manually entered for all of the project’s Reporting Periods in
the Engineering Accounts-Time Phased Hours subpane.
e. Totals And All Time Phased – this setting allows Approved Budget Hours to be manually entered in the Engineering Accounts At
Completion Hours group box and the Engineering Accounts-Time Phased Hours subpane. Approved Budget Hours can be
manually entered for all the project’s Reporting Periods.
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Note that the Baseline Source drop-down in the Engineering Accounts data pane must also be set to Manual to manually enter
data to an Engineering Account. Note that Approved Schedule Dates and Approved Budget Distribution Curves can be manually
entered in the Engineering Accounts data pane for all of the settings listed above with the exception of None. This option should
be disabled if you do not want to inadvertently modify the Approved Budget data.
17) Click the Allow Manual Entry of Control Budget Data drop-down and select one of the following to manually enter Approved Budget
data for Engineering Accounts:
a. None – this setting does not allow manual Control Budget Hours, Control Schedule Dates, and Control Budget Distribution
Curves to be directly entered to Engineering Accounts. This means Approved Budget data can only be entered using the
Engineering Changes data pane. Control Schedule Dates can only be entered by updating dates in the Schedule Interface tab and
using the Spread Time Phased Data calculation to transfer the dates to Engineering Accounts. This approach ensures that an
audit trail of budget changes relative to the baseline estimate are maintained. Note that this is the default setting.
b. Future Time Phased Data – this setting allows Control Budget Hours to be manually entered in the Engineering Accounts time
phased data subpane. The Control Hours column is enabled for Reporting Periods that are equal to or greater than the Current
Period.
c. Totals And Future Time Phased – this setting allows Control Budget Hours to be manually entered in the Engineering Accounts
At Completion Hours group box and the Engineering Accounts-Time Phased Hours subpane. Control Budget Hours can be
entered for all Reporting Periods that are equal to or greater than the Current Period.
d. All Time Phased – this setting allows Control Budget Hours to be manually entered for all of the project’s Reporting Periods in
the Engineering Accounts-Time Phased Hours subpane.
e. Totals And All Time Phased – this setting allows Control Budget Hours to be manually entered in the Engineering Accounts At
Completion Hours group box and the Engineering Accounts-Time Phased Hours subpane. Control Budget Hours can be manually
entered for all the project’s Reporting Periods.
Note that the Baseline Source drop-down in the Engineering Accounts data pane must also be set to Manual to manually enter
data to an Engineering Account. Note that Control Schedule Dates and Control Budget Distribution Curves can be manually
entered in the Engineering Accounts data pane for all of the settings listed above with the exception of None. This option should
be disabled if you do not want to inadvertently modify the Control Budget data.
18) Check the Allow Manual Entry of Actual Data checkbox to manually enter the Period Actual Hours or Actual To Date Hours on the
Engineering Account data pane.
a. This option should be disabled if you do not want Actual Hours to be entered manually. In this case, the Actuals Hours will have
to be imported using the Import Actual Hours (on page 680) feature.
19) Check the Engineering Accounts-Previous Data checkbox in the Allow Manual Entry group box if you need to overwrite the system
calculated values found on the Engineering Accounts data pane; Previous EAC, Previous Percent Complete, and Previous Documents
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Planned. PRISM will always calculate these fields when the Reporting Period is closed. If this checkbox is disabled then the fields are
read-only.
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20) Click in each of the Performance Threshold boxes and enter the Variance Percent and the Performance Index values for both Hours
and Schedule.
a. These are used to generate a Stop Light effect in the Engineering Accounts-Performance subpane. This affect highlights
performance data that exceeds these thresholds. The Warning value is used as a first indication of a performance problem and
variances exceeding the defined thresholds are highlighted in Yellow in the Performance subpane. The Alarm value is a higher,
more stringent value and variances that exceed these values are highlighted in Red.
b. By default, the Schedule and Hour Performance Index are set to 1.00 for Warning and 0.80 for Alarm. The Schedule and Hours
Variance Percent are set to 0% for Warning and 10% for Alarm.
c. Click OK to save the changes or click Cancel to cancel any changes.
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Equipment/Materials
The Equipment/Materials tab is where you will develop a set of Installed Equipment and Materials Lists. These lists are used to add items to
Purchase Requisitions that the engineering and procurement staffs use to request the purchase of equipment and materials for the project.
Data (Equipment/Materials)
The Data ribbon group on the Equipment/Materials tab is where commands for defining Installed Equipment and Materials lists are found.
The command for Purchase Requisitions which is used to request the purchase of equipment and materials for the project is also located here.
Installed Equipment
The Installed Equipment data pane is used to develop a list of installed equipment for the project. This list is used to add items to Purchase
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Requisitions. It is also used for adding Line Items to Request For Quotations and Purchase Orders, which are a part of the PRISM
Procurement package.
Each piece of Equipment can be described in detail using the following subpanes:
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Attributes
Power and Instrumentation
References
Equipment Documents
Assembly
Details
Changes to items entered in Installed Equipment lists can be tracked using a Revision Number and Revision Date.
Quantities of each item are maintained in terms of Operating units and Operating Reserve units.
The Approved (or planned) Delivery and Installation Dates and the Current (or forecasted) Delivery and Installation Dates can be entered and
tracked or they can be transferred from Schedule Activities in the Cost Management package.
Items in the Installed Equipment list can be Canceled at any time. They are still maintained in the database, but can be filtered out of reports.
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11) Click in the Supplier/Manufacturer box and enter the Name of the supplier/manufacturer of the equipment. If a Supplier ID was
selected, the Supplier/Manufacturer name is automatically entered; however, it can be modified.
12) Click in the Model Number and enter the Equipment Model Number.
13) Click in the Serial Number box and enter the Equipment Serial Number, if necessary.
14) Click in the Unit box and enter the Quantity Unit of Measure associated with the type of Equipment.
15) Click in the Operating box and enter the Operating Quantities.
16) Click in the Operating Reserve box and enter the Operating Reserve Quantities, if necessary.
17) The Total Units box is read-only and indicates the sum of Operating and Operating Reserve Quantities.
18) Click in the Estimated Unit Price box and enter the Equipment's Unit Price.
19) The Total Estimated Cost box is read-only and indicates the product of Total Quantities and Unit Price.
20) If the project tracks Multiple Currencies, click the Currency ID drop-down and select a Currency ID.
a. This field is disabled if the project is not setup to be a Multi-currency project.
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b. If this selection is left blank then PRISM assumes the currency to be the Base Currency defined in the Project Settings (on page
202) form.
21) Click in the Schedule Dates boxes and enter the following dates, in order to track deliveries and field installations:
a. Approved Delivery date.
b. Approved Installation date.
c. Current Delivery date.
d. Current Installation date.
Note that the schedule dates can be automatically entered by assigning Schedule Activities to the Installed Equipment
record and then transferring the dates from the Schedule Activities table in the Cost Management package to the
Installed Equipment record using the Copy Schedule Dates (on page 695) utility.
22) Click in the Activity ID drop-down for the Delivery and Installation and select the Schedule Activities that represent the Delivery and
Installation of the specific piece of equipment. The schedule dates from Schedule Activities in the Cost Management package can
then be transferred to the Equipment dates.
23) Check the Canceled checkbox if the Equipment is canceled on the project.
To Enter Attributes:
1) Select Equipment/Materials > Data > Installed Equipment.
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a. Motor Power
b. Brake Power
c. Emergency Power
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6) Click in the Utilization Percentage box and enter a Utilization Percentage. Note that this value is not utilized in any PRISM
calculations.
7) Click in the Motor Data boxes and enter the following Motor Data.
a. Voltage
b. Amperage
c. Motor Speed
8) Click in the Motor Control Center Number box in the MCC and Instrumentation Data group box, and enter the Identification Number
of the MCC that the Equipment's motors are to be controlled from.
9) Click in any of the following Instrumentation Data boxes and enter the data in a manner that makes sense to your project.
a. System Type
b. Interface Unit
c. Instrumentation Index
10) Check the Instrumentation Data Sheets Available checkbox, if the instrumentation has a corresponding Instrumentation Data Sheet.
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To Assign References:
1) Select Equipment/Materials > Data > Installed Equipment.
2) Locate an Installed Equipment item.
3) Click the References subpane tab.
4) As necessary, click the following Cross-reference drop-downs and select a Master Record ID.
a. Primary Control Account ID
b. Installation Control Account ID
c. Purchase Order ID
d. Requisition ID
e. Installation Contract ID
5) As necessary, click the following Drawings and Specifications drop-downs and select an Engineering Document.
a. Engineering Specification ID
b. General Arrangement ID
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User Guide
Materials
The Materials data pane is used to develop a list of materials for the project. This list is used to add items to Purchase Requisitions. It is also
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used for adding Line Items to Request For Quotations and Purchase Orders, which are a part of the PRISM Procurement package.
Quantities of each item are maintained in terms of Planned units and Reserve units.
7) Click in the Supplier box and enter the Name of the material supplier. If a Supplier ID was selected, the Supplier name is automatically
entered; however, it can be modified.
8) Click in the Commodity Number box and enter the Material Commodity Number.
9) Click in the Unit box and enter Quantity Unit of Measure associated with the material item.
10) Click in the Planned box and enter the Planned Quantities.
11) Click in the Reserve box and enter the Reserve Quantities, if necessary.
12) The Total Units box is read-only and indicates the sum of Planned and Reserve Quantities.
13) Click in the Estimated Unit Price box and enter the material item's Estimated Unit Price.
14) The Total Estimated Cost box is read-only and indicates the product of Total Quantities and Unit Price.
15) If the project tracks Multiple Currencies, click the Currency ID drop-down and select a Currency ID.
a. This field is disabled if the project is not setup to be a Multi-currency project.
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b. If this selection is left blank then PRISM assumes the currency to be the Base Currency defined in the Project Settings (on page
202) form.
16) Click in the Schedule Dates boxes and enter the following dates, in order to track deliveries and field installations:
a. Approved Delivery date.
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References (Materials)
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Material items can be linked to records in other PRISM packages using the References subpane. This allows Materials data to be viewed in
other packages.
The following Master Records from other packages can be linked to the Material items.
Control Account ID
Purchase Order ID
Requisition ID
Installation Contract ID
Each Material item can be linked to Engineering Documents. This is useful when the Materials are going through the Procurement process. It
helps Engineers and Procurement Agents understand when the engineering deliverables will be ready so that the Request for Quotation
documents can be released.
Engineering Documents that can be referenced include:
Engineering Specifications
General Arrangement Drawings
To Assign References:
1) Select Equipment/Materials > Data > Materials.
2) Locate a Material item.
3) Click the References subpane tab.
4) As necessary, click the following Cross-reference drop-downs and select a Master Record ID.
a. Control Account ID
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b. Installation Control Account ID (used if Procurement and installation activities are applied to two different Control Accounts)
c. Purchase Order ID
d. Requisition ID
e. Installation Contract ID
5) As necessary, click the following Drawing and Specification drop-downs and select an Engineering Document.
a. Engineering Specification ID
b. General Arrangement Drawing ID
Details (Materials)
The Description box in the Materials data pane only allows up to 100 characters. If you need to enter a longer description, you can use the
Details subpane. This is a memo field that allows you to enter an unlimited amount of text.
Purchase Requisitions
A Purchase Requisition is used by the Engineering or Procurement staff to request the purchase of equipment and/or materials for the
project. Equipment and materials are assigned as Line Items to Purchase Requisitions.
The Engineer who prepares the Purchase Requisition is identified by manually entering the Engineer's initials.
The Inspection Level is assigned, as well as the Required at Site date.
You can decide if there is a reason to use a Sole Source Supplier. You have four choices:
Blank (Not Applicable)
Equipment Standardization
Only Supplier of Equipment
Other
If you choose anything other than Not Applicable, you will need to identify the name of the Sole Source Supplier, and you will need to include
a detailed explanation to justify the Sole Sourcing.
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12) If enabled, click in the Sole Source Supplier box and enter the Name of the supplier/manufacturer of the equipment. If a Supplier ID
was selected, the Sole Source Supplier name is automatically entered; however, it can be modified.
13) If enabled, click in the Justification box and enter the Justification to sole source the items being requested.
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The Quantity Unit, Quantity, and Estimated Unit Price values are automatically populated from data in the Installed Equipment or Materials
data panes. You can change the Quantity value or the Estimated Unit Price, if necessary.
If you know which Control Account ID the Line Item is associated with, it can be selected at this time. However, this is typically applied when
the Purchase Order is approved.
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g. The Total Estimated Cost is a read-only cell which is blank until either a new Quantity value or Estimated Unit Price is entered.
Once one of these values is entered the Total Estimate Cost is calculated as the product of Quantity and Estimated Unit Price.
h. If the project tracks Multiple Currencies, click the Currency ID drop-down and select a Currency ID.
This field is disabled if the project is not setup to be a Multi-currency project.
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If this selection is left blank then PRISM assumes the currency to be the Base Currency defined in the Project Settings (on
page 202) form.
i. Click the Control Account ID drop-down and select the Control Account ID that the commitment is linked to.
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e. If the Revision number is modified, click in the Revision Date box and enter a Revision Date.
f. Click in the Sort Code cell and enter an alphanumeric Sort Code to modify how Attachments are ordered in drop-down lists and
forms and printed in the Purchase Requisition report.
g. Click in the Remarks cell and enter any Remarks to explain or describe the Attachment.
h. Click the Attachment File browse icon and select the document's File Location and File Name.
After an Attachment is linked, an Application icon appears next to the browse icon that corresponds to the file's extension.
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Click the Application icon and the Attachment is opened in the application, if the PRISM User has access to the application.
This process is available for most standard Microsoft Office applications.
Tools (Equipment/Materials)
The Tools ribbon on the Equipment/Materials tab is where options and settings are defined that affect data, forms, and processes associated
with the Equipment/Materials package.
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Equipment/Materials Settings
The Equipment/Materials Settings form includes options which allow you to:
Enter a Data Date Report Header displayed on Equipment and Materials reports
Assign the Power Unit for Report Totals to summarize Motor Ratings
Define the Default Document Folder for external Equipment Documents
The Equipment List report includes two columns that indicate the Power Rating, which are the Motor Ratings Unit and the Motor Power.
Equipment items can be assigned varying Units; for example, some may be in Horsepower and others may use Watts. A bottom line summary
of the Power Rating can be calculated and displayed in the Equipment List report, but first, the Power Unit for Report Totals must be defined.
External documents that provide further information about a piece of Equipment can be linked to an Equipment item. If you plan to locate all
these external documents in a specific file folder on the network, you can identify this folder as the Default Document Folder. When linking an
Equipment Document to an Equipment item, the Default Document Folder is the folder that is initially opened.
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Chapter 13
Procurement
The Procurement tab is where Requests for Quotation are generated; generally they are initiated from Purchase Requisition data for the
Equipment/Materials package. The procurement details are assigned as Line Items to a Request for Quotation and a Procurement Schedule is
defined. Lines Items are quantified and costs are entered. Request for Quotations are converted to Purchase Orders by awarding a winning
Supplier. The Line Items are committed to Control Accounts in the Cost Management package. Shipments are created from Purchase Orders
and schedules are defined and tracked.
Data (Procurement)
The Data ribbon group in the Procurement tab is where commands for entering data associated with Request for Quotations and Purchase
Orders and the Shipment of purchased items are performed.
Purchase Orders
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The Purchase Orders data pane is used to create Requests for Quotation. PRISM indicates if the Purchase Order record is in a Request for
Quotation format because the ID label on the data pane indicates Request for Quotation ID. Once a Supplier is selected and the Purchase
Order is awarded, the ID label is changed to a Purchase Order ID.
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When the Request for Quotation is initially created, the Status should be assigned by selecting from a list of system-defined Status codes.
During the life of the Request for Quotation and Purchase Order, these Status codes are periodically modified to reflect the current status.
Award - Purchase Order is awarded to a Bidder.
Bid - Bidders are assigned to the Request for Quotation.
Cancel - the Request for Quotation or Purchase Order is canceled.
Hold - Request for Quotation or Purchase Order is put on hold.
RFQ - development phase for the Request for Quotation.
Site - procured items delivered to site.
Transit - procured items en route to site.
Work - procured items are being manufactured.
The list of Status codes change depending on whether a Request for Quotation or a Purchase Order is being statused.
Note that the Status will automatically be set to RFQ when a Request for Quotation is first created. It will be updated to Award
when the Purchase Order is awarded. Other updates will have to be manually selected.
Line Items assigned to Purchase Requisitions in the Equipment/Materials package, can be copied to a Request for Quotation (in the Purchase
Orders-Line Items subpane). First you must assign a Requisition ID in the Purchase Order data pane and then use the Copy Requisition Data
feature to copy the Line Items from the Requisition to the Request for Quotation.
Once the bids are analyzed and a winning Bidder is selected, the Award Purchase Order feature is utilized. This feature opens the Award
Purchase Order form which requires you to enter the winning Supplier and enter a Purchase Order ID if it is different from the Request for
Quotation ID.
This feature modifies and adds data to the Purchase Orders data pane in addition to some subpanes at one time:
Changes the ID label from Request for Quotation ID to Purchase Order ID.
Assigns the Purchase Order ID as entered in the Award Purchase Order form.
Adds the Request for Quotation ID box below the Requisition ID box.
Updates the Status to Award.
Assigns the Award Date to the current date; this date can be changed if the award date is not the current date.
Assigns the Supplier ID and copies the Supplier Name and the Supplier Details from the Supplier table to the Purchase Order.
Checks the Commit Line Items to Control Account checkbox if the Commit Purchase Order checkbox in the Award Purchase Order
form was checked.
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Committed costs are the total cost of the Purchase Order; which represents the value that must be contractually paid if the project is
canceled. Committed costs are important to the Project Controls Specialist and Project Manager as well as the Procurement Agent. Therefore,
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PRISM can transfer committed cost values to the Cost Management package. As a normal process, once a Purchase Order is awarded it
should also be committed.
The Cost Management package can be setup to utilize commitment data from the Procurement package. A Purchase Order's Line Items and
the associated hours and costs are transferred to Control Accounts. You will need to ensure the Commit Line Items to Control Account
checkbox is checked to enable this process. In the Cost Management Settings form, the option to allow the Commitments to transfer from
Purchase Orders must be enabled.
Purchase Orders can also be linked to a Prime Contract in the Prime Contract package. By linking Purchase Orders to a Prime Contract, the
total costs and revenue of a Prime Contract can be calculated.
If a Purchase Order is inadvertently awarded, the Un-award Purchase Order feature is used to reverse the award process. When this feature is
used, the Purchase Order is reverted back to the original Request for Quotation and the following changes are made:
Changes the ID label from Purchase Order ID to the original Request for Quotation ID.
Resets the Request for Quotation ID.
Removes the Request for Quotation ID box below the Requisition ID box.
Resets the Status to Request For Quotation.
Removes the Award Date.
Removes the Supplier ID, the Supplier Name, and the Supplier Details.
Unchecks the Commit Line Items to Control Account checkbox.
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12) Once a Purchase Order is awarded, check the Commit Line Items to Control Account checkbox to commit the Purchase Orders Hours
and Cost data to Control Accounts in the Cost Management package.
a. This option is automatically checked when a Purchase Order is awarded using the Award Purchase Order feature.
13) Click the Control Account ID drop-down and select a Control Account ID to transfer the committed Cost and Hours data to the
Control Account's Commitment table.
14) Click the Prime Contracts ID drop-down and select a Prime Contracts ID to transfer committed Cost and Hours data to a Prime
Contract. The Prime Contract package must be enabled for this feature to be utilized.
15) Click in the Engineer box and enter the initials of the Engineer responsible for the equipment or materials being purchased.
16) Click in the Buyer box and enter the initials of the Buyer involved in the Request for Quotation/Purchase Order process.
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Note that this subpane is disabled until the Supplier is awarded, which converts the Request for Quotation to a Purchase Order.
To Update/Modify Suppliers:
1) Select Procurement > Data > Purchase Orders.
2) Locate a Request for Quotation/Purchase Order.
3) Click the Supplier subpane tab.
4) Update or modify any Supplier Details, as necessary.
If the different Supplier ID is re-assigned on the Purchase Orders data pane, the Supplier Details will be overridden with the new
Supplier's information.
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FOB Point - the Freight on Board or Free on Board location. Indicates who pays for loading and transportation costs and where
responsibility of the procured items is transferred from the Seller to the Buyer.
Ship Point - the location where the procured items are to be shipped.
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Note that if an Alternative Bidder Letter is not assigned for any letter, then the Bidder Letter Template assigned in the
Procurement Settings form is used.
These documents are printed for a Request for Quotation when the Bidders List is printed. The Bidder Cover Letter and the PO Instructions are
printed for all Bidders. The Award Letter is printed only for the Bidder that is selected as the Supplier. The Letters of Regret are printed for the
unselected Bidders.
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When Line Items are assigned to Requests for Quotation or Purchase Orders they are given a sequential Line Item number. This number starts
with 001 and is sequentially incremented (i.e., 002, 003, 004, etc.).
There are a number of fields for each Line Item that should be populated when defining a Request for Quotation. Some of these fields are
automatically populated when data is transferred from the various sources (Purchase Requisition, Installed Equipment list, or Materials list).
Others are populated, based on default settings defined in the Procurement Settings (on page 500) form. The fields that should be populated
are described in the "How To" section below.
To Assign Line Items and Enter Data for a Request for Quotation/Purchase Order:
1) Select Procurement > Data > Purchase Orders.
2) Locate a Request for Quotation/Purchase Order.
3) Click the Line Items subpane tab.
4) To assign Line Items from the Installed Equipment list, click the Select Item Type drop-down and select Equipment. Click the Add
Record icon, check one or more Equipment Items, and click OK.
5) To assign Line Items from the Materials list, click the Select Item Type drop-down and select Materials. Click the Add Record icon,
check one or more Material Items, and click OK.
6) To assign blank items that you can define as needed, click the Select Item Type drop-down and select Other, click the Add Record
icon. A blank line is added to the Line Items subpane.
7) To assign Line Items from a Purchase Requisition, click the Requisition ID drop-down on the Purchase Orders data pane and select a
Purchase Requisition ID, click the Copy Requisition Data icon found on the navigation toolbar, select one or more Line Items
assigned to the Purchase Requisition, and click OK.
8) Click in the following cells for each Line Item and enter data necessary for a Request for Quotation:
a. Item - this number is automatically assigned starting with 001 and incrementing by one (i.e., 001, 002, 003, etc.). It can be
modified, if necessary, however it must be a unique value.
b. Equipment/Material ID - this is a read-only field that is populated from Items copied from Purchase Requisitions, Installed
Equipment, or Materials data panes from the Equipment/Materials package.
c. Item Type - this is a read-only field that identifies where the data originated from; E - Installed Equipment, M - Materials, O -
Others (meaning it does not come from the Equipment or the Materials list, but rather it is user-defined). Note that Items from
Purchase Requisitions are assigned one of these three Item Type codes when assigned to a Purchase Requisition.
d. Line Item Description - this is a read-only field when the data is populated from Items copied from Purchase Requisitions,
Installed Equipment, or Materials data panes from the Equipment/Materials package. If a blank record (Other record) is added in
the Line Items subpane, it is open, allowing you to enter a Description of the user-defined Line Item.
e. Quantity Unit - the quantity unit of measure. It is automatically assigned based on data from Installed Equipment, Materials, or
Purchase Requisitions.
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f. Quantity Element ID - links Quantity data to Control Elements to transfer committed Quantities to Control Accounts Quantity
Elements in the Cost Management package. It is automatically assigned if the Default Control Element IDs are assigned in the
Procurement Settings form. Click the Quantity Element ID drop-down to select a Quantity Element.
g. Original Quantity - the Quantity amount of the item being procured when the Request for Quotation is first developed. The
Quantity is automatically assigned, based on data transferred from a Purchase Requisition.
h. Approved Quantity Change - this is a read-only field that displays the Quantity Change value for corresponding Line Item
numbers entered in the Line Item-Changes subpane.
i. Approved Quantity - this is a read-only field that adds the Original Quantity value to the Approved Quantity Change value.
j. Hours Element ID - links Hours data to Control Elements to transfer committed Hours to Control Accounts-Hours Elements in the
Cost Management package. It is automatically assigned if the Default Control Element IDs are assigned in the Procurement
Settings form. Click the Hours Element ID drop-down to select an Hours Element.
k. Hour Rate - the Hours per Quantity rate that is used to calculate the Original Hours. In order for the calculation to work, the
Hours Element ID assigned to the Line Item must have a Quantity Rate Element assigned in the Control Element form.
l. Original Hours - the number of Hours contracted as part of the item being procured when the Request for Quotation is first
developed. The Hours amount is either entered manually or it is calculated as Original Quantity x Hour Rate. This requires that
the Hours Element ID assigned to the Line Item must have a Quantity Rate Element assigned in the Control Element form.
m. Approved Hours Change - this is a read-only field that displays the Hours Change value for corresponding Line Item numbers
entered in the Line Item-Changes subpane.
n. Approved Hours - this is a read-only field that adds the Original Hours value to the Approved Hours Change value.
o. Cost Element ID - links Cost data to Control Elements to transfer committed Cost to Control Accounts Cost Elements in the Cost
Management package. It is automatically assigned if the Default Control Element IDs are assigned in the Procurement Settings
form. Click the Cost Element ID drop-down to select a Cost Element.
p. Unit Price - the Cost per Quantity or Cost per Hours rate that is used to calculate the Original Cost. In order for the calculation to
work, the Cost Element ID assigned to the Line Item must have a Quantity Rate Element or an Hours Rate Element assigned in
the Control Element form. The Unit Price cell is read-only if the Price Unit cell is blank.
q. Price Unit - select Quantity to calculate the Original Cost as Original Quantity x Unit Price. Alternatively, select Hours to calculate
the Original Cost as Original Quantity x Hours Rate x Unit Price.
r. Original Cost - the total Cost to purchase the item being procured when the Request for Quotation is first developed. The Cost
amount is either entered manually or it is calculated as Original Quantity x Unit Price or the Original Hours x Unit Price. This
requires that the Cost Element ID assigned to the Line Item must have a Quantity Rate Element or an Hours Rate Element
assigned in the Control Elements form.
s. Approved Cost Change - this is a read-only field that displays the Cost Change value for corresponding Line Item numbers
entered in the Line Item Changes-subpane.
t. Approved Cost - this is a read-only field that adds the Original Cost value to the Approved Cost Change value.
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u. Currency ID - this is enabled on Multi-currency projects. This indicates the currency of the Line Item if it uses a different Currency
from that assigned to the Request for Quotation/Purchase Order.
v. Exchange Rate - this field is used to enter an exchange rate when the Line Item exchange rate is different from the Request for
Quotation/Purchase Order original exchange rate. This should only be used when the Pay Item's currency is different than the
Request for Quotation/Purchase Order currency. If the Exchange Rate is blank, the Project's Actual Exchange Rate in the
Currencies (on page 601) form is used.
It should be noted that if an Exchange Rate is entered that value will be used regardless of the Currency ID values.
w. Below Total - check the Below Total checkbox. This causes the Line Item costs to not be included with the Line Items in the
Request for Quotation or Purchase Order reports. The costs will be displayed at the bottom of these reports, below the Line
Items. This setting is useful for certain types of costs which include freight, taxes, etc.
x. Retention Percentage - this describes the proportion of the contractual amount of the cost that is withheld until the final
delivery of the item being procured.
y. Control Account ID - links the Line Item to a Control Account to transfer committed Quantity, Hours, and Cost data to the Cost
Management package. The Request for Quotation/Purchase Order has a Control Account ID selection as well; the Line Item's
Control Account selection overrides the Purchase Order's Control Account. Click the Control Account ID drop-down to select a
Control Account.
z. Commit Quantity - the Quantity committed values cannot be transferred to Control Accounts in the Cost Management package
unless the Commit Quantity checkbox is checked. Note that the Commit Line Items To Control Account checkbox in the
Purchase Order data pane will also need to be checked.
aa. Commit Hours - the Hours committed values cannot be transferred to Control Accounts in the Cost Management package unless
the Commit Hours checkbox is checked. Note that the Commit Line Items To Control Account checkbox in the Purchase Order
data pane will also need to be checked.
bb. Quantity to Date - the total quantity of items currently delivered.
cc. Hours Worked - if a Line Item includes hours, the total number of hours currently worked.
dd. Percent Complete - the quantity of items currently delivered in terms of percent complete.
ee. Fair Cost Estimate - there are two cells for two separate Fair Cost Estimates. These are used to identify internal estimates used
to verify the Bidders' estimate.
ff. Pass-through Tax Percent - there are two cells for entering user-defined Pass-through Tax information. The column header titles
can be modified in the Procurement Settings form.
gg. Reference Code - there are two cells for entering user-defined reference information. The column header titles can be modified
in the Procurement Settings form.
9) If the Invoice Management package is enabled the following cells provide invoice and payment data for each Line Item.
a. Quantity Committed – total committed Quantities to be invoiced.
b. Quantity Invoiced – the number of invoiced Quantities.
c. Quantity Paid – the number of paid Quantities.
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d. Quantities Remaining – total committed Quantities minus the total Quantities invoiced.
e. Hours Committed – total committed Hours to be invoiced.
f. Hours Invoiced – the number of invoiced Hours.
g. Hours Paid – the number of paid Hours.
h. Hours Remaining – total committed Hours minus the total Hours invoiced.
i. Cost Committed – total committed Costs committed to be invoiced.
j. Cost Invoiced – the Cost that has been invoiced.
k. Cost Paid – the total Cost that has been paid.
l. Cost Remaining – total committed Cost minus the total Cost invoiced.
m. Current Retention – the total sum of Retention minus the sum of the Retention invoiced.
To Add Trends:
1) Select Procurement > Data > Purchase Orders.
2) Click the Trends subpane tab.
3) Click the Add Record icon.
4) Click in the Trend ID cell and enter a unique alphanumeric Trend ID.
5) Click in the Trend Description cell and enter a Description of the Trend.
6) Click the Change Variety ID drop-down and select a Change Variety.
7) Click in the Change Source cell and enter Information that identifies the Source of the Trend.
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8) Click in the Requester cell and enter the Name of the person requesting the Trend.
9) Click in the Request Date cell and enter the Date the Trend was requested; usually when the Trend was first identified.
10) Click in the Estimated Days Added To Schedule cell and enter the number of Estimated Days to be added to the schedule.
To Enter Changes:
1) Select Procurement > Data > Purchase Orders.
2) Locate the Purchase Order.
3) Click the Changes subpane tab.
4) Click the Add Record icon.
5) Click in the Change ID cell and enter a Change ID.
6) Click in the Change Description cell and enter a Change Description.
7) Click the Change Variety ID drop-down and select a Change Variety.
8) Click in the Change Source cell and enter Information that identifies the Source of the Change.
9) Click in the Requester cell and enter the Requester's Initials.
10) Click the Request Date drop-down and select the Purchase Order's Origin Date.
11) Click the Status ID drop-down and select a Change Status.
12) Click the Status Date cell and enter the date the Status was updated.
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To Assign Bidders:
1) Select Procurement > Data > Purchase Orders.
2) Locate a Request for Quotation.
3) Click the Bidders subpane tab.
4) Click the Add Record icon, select one or more Suppliers, and click OK.
5) For each Supplier record added, modify or add any information, if necessary.
Note that updating Supplier information in the Purchase Orders-Bidders subpane does not update the information in the
Suppliers table.
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5) If a file is linked, click the Open File icon to open the Bid Analysis Spreadsheet in its native format. You can modify the spreadsheet
and enter bid data, as necessary.
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b. A prompt appears. Click Yes to copy both Durations and Dates; or click No to copy Durations only.
8) To copy Schedule Activity Dates to Planned or Forecast Dates:
a. For any Event, click the Activity ID drop-down and select an Activity ID.
This data comes from the Cost Management package.
It is recommended that the first Event is linked to an Activity. Therefore, the subsequent dates are calculated once the
Activity Date is copied.
b. Check the Use Start checkbox if you want to use the Activity's Early Start Dates. If this box is left unchecked, the Activity's Early
Finish Dates will be used when the dates are copied.
c. Click the Copy Schedule Activity Dates icon on the navigation toolbar. The Copy Schedule Activity Dates form appears.
d. Check the Planned Dates checkbox if you want to copy the Schedule Activity's Dates to the Events' Planned Dates.
e. Check the Forecast Dates checkbox if you want to copy the Schedule Activity's Current Dates to the Events' Forecast Dates.
f. Click OK.
9) Click in the Actual Date cell of any Event and enter the Actual Date when the Event was completed.
10) Click the Copy Actual To Forecast icon on the navigation toolbar to copy all Actual Dates to the Forecast Dates.
To Add Addendums:
1) Select Procurement > Data > Purchase Orders.
2) Locate the Purchase Order.
3) Click the Addendums subpane tab.
4) Click the Add Record icon.
5) Click in the Reference Code cell and enter a unique Reference Code to be used as an identifier of the Addendum document.
6) Click in the Description cell and enter a Description of the Addendum.
7) To sort these records differently than the alphanumeric sort order of the Reference Code, click in the Sort Code cell and enter a Sort
Code.
8) Click the Addendum File Name browse icon; select the File and File Location of the Addendum document found on the company's
Network, and click Open.
9) To open a linked Addendum File, click the Open File icon next to the browse icon.
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Note that any Attachment assigned to a Purchase Requisition that is then used to create a Request for Quotation is automatically
assigned to the Request for Quotation.
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User Guide
i. Click in the Remarks cell and enter any Remarks to explain or describe the Attachment.
Shipments
Each Purchase Order can be assigned to one or multiple Shipments. For each Shipment, the Expeditor, Freight on Board/Free on Board site,
and the Ship Point are identified. In addition, you can keep track of the date of the Last Communication with the Supplier or Shipper and
when you are expected to have the Next Communication.
To Create Shipments:
1) Select Procurement > Data > Shipments.
2) Select a Purchase Order ID in the Shipments-Purchase Orders navigation pane.
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Events (Shipments)
A Shipment Schedule is assigned to each Shipment to define a specific set of Events that will take place to successfully complete the shipping
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process. PRISM allows three separate schedules for each Shipment to be tracked. These include a Planned schedule, a Forecast schedule,
and an Actual schedule.
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User Guide
Prior to assigning Shipment Schedules, Events and Event Templates for the various Shipment activities should be defined. These definitions
make the scheduling process efficient and consistent.
The following processes are used to define, status, and track the Shipment schedules.
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f. Click OK.
9) Click in the Actual Date cell of any Event and enter the Actual Date when the Event was completed.
10) Click the Copy Actual To Forecast icon on the navigation toolbar to copy all Actual Dates to the Forecast Dates.
Tools (Procurement)
The Tools ribbon group in the Procurement tab is where options and settings are defined that affect data, forms, and processes associated
with the Procurement package.
Procurement Settings
The Procurement Settings form establishes the settings and options specific to the Procurement package. These settings are usually defined
at the beginning of the project and affect the following functions:
Report Titles
Line Item Descriptions
Document Folders
Control Element IDs
Delivery Addresses
Pass-through Tax and Reference Code Titles
Bidder Letters
In order to access the Procurement Settings form, at a minimum, you must have Process permissions.
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6) Check the Add Control Account IDs to Purchase Order Line Item Descriptions checkbox to append the Control Account ID to the
Purchase Order Line Item Description.
7) Click in the Number Of RFQ Copies box and enter the Number of Copies to be returned by Bidders. This information is printed in the
Request for Quotation documents.
8) Click in the Current Period Start Date box and enter the starting date for the Current Procurement Reporting Period. This setting
allows custom reports to display data by Reporting Period for more accurate reporting on invoice and paid amounts for Purchase
Order Line Items.
9) Click in the Report Header box and enter a Report Header, if necessary. This report header will be displayed in all Procurement
Reports.
10) Define a Document Folder Path prior to adding Attachments and other linked documents to Purchase Orders, then when linked
documents are copied into the Folder Path, the documents are copied to this folder. Click the Documents Folder Path browse icon,
select a Folder Path and click OK.
a. When documents are linked, a sub-folder is automatically added to the Folder Path, which is labeled as the Request for
Quotation ID or Purchase Order ID that the Attachments or documents are assigned.
11) Click the Default Prime Contract ID drop-down, and select a Prime Contract ID, if necessary.
a. When Request for Quotations or Purchase Orders are created, the Prime Contract ID is initially assigned to the Request for
Quotation/Purchase Order.
b. You can reassign any Prime Contract to a Request for Quotation or Purchase Order after it has been created.
Note that the Prime Contract package must be enabled for this feature to be enabled.
12) Click the Auto-generated Purchase Order IDs drop-down to define a method for how Request for Quotations/Purchase Orders IDs
will be labeled when they are created. The following options allow both system-defined and user-defined IDs to be generated.
a. None - IDs are manually entered.
b. Reporting Period + Counter - uses the current Reporting Period plus a numerical counter to automatically generate IDs. For
example, if the Reporting Period is 12, the first ID would be 0012-0001, the second 0012-0002, etc.
c. User-defined Prefix + Counter - uses a User-defined alphanumeric prefix plus a numerical counter to automatically generate IDs.
For example, if the user-defined prefix for the first ID is 001-1, the next Change ID would be 001-2.
Note that when using the auto-generate options, the separator options include a dash, underscore, period, or space. It is
recommended that '0' be used as the first digit after the prefix and separator to avoid sorting issues (e.g., CON-0).
13) Define the Default Control Element IDs, for the various types of Line Items (Equipment, Materials, or Other) by selecting a Quantity
Element ID, an Hours Element ID, and a Cost Element ID. Click the Control Element ID drop-down and select a Control Element ID.
a. When Line Items are added to Request for Quotations and Purchase Orders, the Default Control Element IDs are initially
assigned to each Line Item based on these selections.
b. You can reassign any Control Element after the Line Item is added to a Request For Quotation or Purchase Order.
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14) For each of the four Initial Delivery Addresses, click the Address ID drop-down and select a Delivery Address ID. These assignments
cause the Delivery Address IDs to be automatically assigned to a Request for Quotation when it is created. This feature is useful when
a majority of the Request for Quotations created will use a specific Delivery Address (see "Delivery Addresses" on page 300) for any
of the four address types.
a. Standard Communications ID
b. Engineering Documents ID
c. Shipments ID
d. Invoices ID
15) Click the Additional tab.
16) Click in the Pass-through Tax 1 box and enter a Pass-through Tax label. Do the same in the Pass-through Tax 2 box if another label is
necessary.
17) Click in the Reference Code 1 box and enter a Reference Code label. Do the same in the Reference Code 2 box if another label is
necessary.
18) Click the Browse icon for the following Letters, locate a Word file, and click Save. This feature used to define standard Bidder Letter
Templates for all Request for Quotations on a project.
a. Bidder Cover Letter - a letter of introduction to the selected Bidders that accompanies the Request for Quotation documents.
b. Award Letter - a letter informing the winning bidder that they are awarded the Purchase Order.
c. Letter Of Regret - a letter informing the list of bidders who were not awarded the Purchase Order.
d. PO Instructions - a standard set of instructions (Terms and Conditions) that accompany the Request for Quotation documents.
These documents are printed for a Request for Quotation when the Bidders List is printed. The Bidder Cover Letter and
the PO Instructions are printed for all Bidders. The Award Letter is printed only for the Bidder that is selected as the
Purchase Order Supplier. The Letters of Regret are printed for the unselected Bidders.
e. If a file is linked, click the Open File icon to open the Letter in its native format.
19) Click OK.
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Chapter 14
Contracts
The Contracts tab is where Requests for Proposal are generated; generally they are initiated from a Scope of Work. The Contract details are
assigned as Pay Items to the Request for Proposal and a Contract Schedule is defined. Pay Items are quantified and costs are entered. Request
for Proposals are converted to a Contract by awarding a winning Contractor. The Pay Items are committed to Control Accounts in the Cost
Management package.
Data (Contracts)
The Data ribbon group in the Contracts tab is where commands for entering data associated with Request for Proposals and Contracts are
performed.
Contracts
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The Contracts data pane is used to create Request for Proposals. PRISM indicates if the Contracts records are in a Request for Proposal
format because the ID label on the data pane indicates Request for Proposal ID. Once a contractor is selected and the Contract is awarded,
the ID label is changed to a Contract ID.
When the Request for Proposal is initially created, the Status should be assigned by selecting from a list of system-defined Status codes.
During the life of the Request for Proposal and Contract, these Status codes are periodically modified to reflect the current status.
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Note that the Status will be automatically set to RFP when a Request for Proposal is first created. It will be updated to Award
when the Contract is awarded. Other updates will have to be manually selected.
Once the bids are analyzed and a winning Bidder is selected, the Award Contract feature is utilized. This feature opens the Award Contract
form which requires you to enter the winning Contractor and enter a Contract ID, if it is different from the Request for Proposal ID.
This feature modifies and adds data to the Contracts data pane and some subpanes at one time:
Changes the ID label from Request for Proposal ID to Contract ID.
Assigns the Contract ID as entered in the Award Contract form.
Adds the Request for Proposal ID box below the Description box.
Assigns the Contractor ID and copies the Contractor Name and the Contractor Details from the Contractor table to the Contract.
Updates the Status to Award.
Assigns the Award Date to the current date; this date can be changed if the Award Date is not the current date.
Checks the Commit Pay Items to Control Account checkbox if the Commit Contract checkbox in the Award Contract form was
checked.
Committed costs are the total cost of the Contract; it represents the value that must be contractually paid if the project is canceled.
Committed costs are important to the Project Controls Specialist and Project Manager as well as the Contract Administrator. Therefore,
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PRISM can transfer committed cost values to the Cost Management package. As a normal process, once a Contract is awarded it should also
be committed.
The Cost Management package can be setup to utilize commitment data from the Contracts package. A Contract's Pay Items and the
associated hours and costs are transferred to Control Accounts. You will need to ensure the Commit Pay Items to Control Account checkbox is
checked to enable this process. In the Cost Management Settings form, the option to allow the Commitments to transfer from Contracts must
be enabled.
Contracts can also be linked to a Prime Contract in the Prime Contract package. By linking Contracts to a Prime Contract, the total costs and
revenue of a Prime Contract can be calculated.
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If a Contract is inadvertently awarded, the Un-award Contract feature is used to reverse the award process. When this feature is used, the
Contract is reverted back to the original Request for Proposal and the following changes are made:
Changes the ID label from Contract ID to Request for Proposal ID.
Resets the Request for Proposal ID.
Removes the Request for Proposal ID box below the Description box.
Resets the Status to Request for Proposal.
Removes the Award Date.
Removes the Contractor ID, the Contractor Name, and the Contractor Details.
Unchecks the Commit Contract Pay Items to Control Account checkbox.
To Create Contracts:
1) Select Contracts > Data > Contracts.
2) Click the Add Record icon.
3) Click in the Request for Proposal ID box and enter a unique Request for Proposal ID.
4) Click in the Description box and enter a Request for Proposal Description.
5) If the project tracks Multiple Currencies, click the Currency ID drop-down and select a Currency ID.
This field is disabled if the project is not set up to be a Multi-currency project.
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If the selection is left blank PRISM assumes the currency to be the Base Currency defined in the Project Settings (on page 202)
form.
6) Click in the Exchange Rate box and enter the Currency Exchange Rate (see "Currencies" on page 601), if necessary.
a. Exchange Rate = Project's Base Currency / Request for Quotations' Currency
b. If the Exchange Rate is left blank, the Project's Actual Exchange Rate defined in the Currencies (on page 601) form is used.
7) In the Pay Item Totals group box, there are several read-only calculations that are derived from a variety of different sources. The
hours and cost data are summarized from the Pay Items assigned in the Contracts-Pay Items subpane. The following list provides the
calculations that are consistent with both Pay Items hours and cost data.
a. Original - the total of contracted services being procured when the Request for Proposal is first developed.
b. Approved Changes - the total Change value as defined in the Contracts-Pay Items Changes subpane. This is calculated total from
the Contracts-Pay Items Changes subpane.
c. Approved - the sum of the Original plus any Approved Changes.
d. Pending Changes - total Change value as defined in the Contracts-Pay Items Changes subpane. The Pay Item Changes must be
assigned to a Change where the Change Status is set to Approved.
e. Estimate At Completion - sum of the Original Cost plus Approved and/or Pending changes. The Change values that are added to
the Estimate at Completion are determined if the Change Status is defined to affect the Estimate At Completion.
f. Percent Complete - composite weighted percent complete of each Pay Item's percent complete. It is calculated as:
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User Guide
Percent Complete = (Pay Item Percent Complete x Pay Item Approved Cost) / Pay Item Approved Cost
g. Earned Value - calculated earned value using the Percent Complete and the Approved Cost. It is calculated as:
Earned Value = Percent Complete x Approved Cost
h. Amount Invoiced - total of invoices received from the Contractor and entered into the Invoices data pane from the Invoice
Management package.
i. Retention - total of retention withheld as entered into the Invoices data pane from the Invoice Management package.
j. Remaining Invoice Amount - difference of the Approved Cost minus the Amount Invoiced and Retention.
k. Percent Invoiced - product of the Amount Invoiced plus Retention divided by the Approved Cost.
Percent Invoiced = (Amount Invoiced + Retention) / Approved Cost
l. Amount Paid - total of payments made to the Supplier and entered into the Invoices data pane from the Invoice Management
package.
8) Click the Status drop-down and select a system-defined Status code.
a. The Status code is automatically set to RFP when the Request for Proposal is first created. It is set to Award when the Contract is
awarded using the Award Contract feature.
b. Status codes are periodically modified to reflect the current status or the Request for Proposal or Contract.
9) Click in the Mobilization Date box and enter a planned or actual Mobilization Date that determines when the Contractor will or has
arrived at site to begin work.
10) The Award Date, Contractor ID, and Contractor Name boxes are set to read-only until the Contract awarded. The Award Contract
feature found on the navigation toolbar will automatically populate and enable these fields. The data can be modified, if necessary.
11) Click the Agreement Type ID drop-down and select an Agreement Type (see "Agreement Types" on page 277). This will filter the list
of Attachments that can be added in the Contracts-Attachments subpane.
12) Click the Calendar ID drop-down and select a Calendar ID. This feature is currently disabled in the Contracts package.
13) Once a Contract is awarded, check the Commit Pay Items to Control Account checkbox to commit the Contract Hours and Cost data
to Control Accounts in the Cost Management package.
a. This option is automatically checked when a Contract is awarded using the Award Contract feature.
14) Click the Control Account ID drop-down and select a Control Account ID to transfer the committed Cost and Hours data to the
Control Account's Commitment table.
15) Click the Prime Contract ID drop-down and select a Prime Contract ID to transfer the committed Cost and Hours data to the Prime
Contract.
16) Click in the Engineer box and enter the initials of the Engineer responsible for the equipment or materials being purchased.
17) Click in the Administrator box and enter the initials of the Administrator involved in the Request for Proposal/Contract process.
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To Award a Contract:
1) Select Contracts > Data > Contracts.
2) Locate a Request for Proposal.
3) Click the Award Contract icon on the navigation toolbar. The Award Contract form appears.
4) Click the Contractor ID drop-down and select the Winning Bidder.
5) By default, the Request for Proposal ID is displayed in the Contract ID box. Click in the Contract ID box and enter a Contract ID, if it is
different from the Request for Proposal ID.
6) By default, the Commit Contract checkbox is checked. Uncheck the Commit Contract checkbox if you do not want to commit the
Contract Hours and Cost data.
7) Click OK.
To Un-award a Contract:
1) Select Contracts > Data > Contracts.
2) Locate a Request for Proposal.
3) Click the Un-award Contract icon on the navigation toolbar.
4) Click Yes to the prompt.
Contractor (Contracts)
Once a Contractor is awarded the Contract, the Contractor Details are transferred from the Contractors (on page 296) table to the
Contracts-Contractor subpane. Contractor information can be modified as necessary however; it will not be updated in the Contractors
database.
Note that this subpane is disabled until the Contractor is awarded the Contract, which converts the Request for Proposal to a
Contract.
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To Update/Modify Contractors:
1) Select Contracts > Data > Contracts.
2) Locate the Request for Proposal/Contract where the Contractor is to be updated or modified.
3) Click in the Contractor subpane tab.
4) Update or modify any Contractor Details, as necessary.
If a different Contractor ID is re-assigned on the Contractors data pane, the Contractor Details will be overridden with the new
Contractor's information.
Payment/Work (Contracts)
For each Contract and Prime Contract, you can identify Payment information, as negotiated between the Buyer and the Seller, which includes:
Price Type - type of Contract such as Fixed Price, Unit Price, etc.
Payment Terms (on page 300)
You can also identify Work information such as the planned and forecast Contract Completion Dates and Work Days. This information is used
to calculate Duration, Non Work Days, and Variances, as described below:
Duration - number of calendar days from the Mobilization Date, which is entered on the Contracts data pane, to the Completion
Date.
Planned Duration = Planned Completion Date - Mobilization Date
Forecast Duration = Forecast Completion Date - Mobilization Date
Non Work Days - number of calendar days calculation for Duration minus the Work Days.
Planned Non Work Days = Planned Duration - Planned Work Days
Forecast Non Work Days = Forecast Duration - Forecast Work Days
Variance - difference between Planned calendar days and the Forecast calendar days.
Variance Duration = Planned Duration - Forecast Duration
Variance Work Days = Planned Work Days - Forecast Work Days
Variance Non Work Days = Planned Non Work Days - Forecast Non Work Days
All forecast dates can be updated as the Contract proceeds. The Forecast Completion Date can be identified as an Actual date once the
Contractors work is finalized.
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Communication (Contracts)
There are two Delivery Address IDs to assign to Requests for Proposal/Contracts and to Prime Contracts. The selection of each type of address
is defined in the Delivery Addresses (on page 300) form.
Communications - to send all communications to
Invoices - to send all invoices to
The Delivery Address IDs are assigned to Contracts in the Contracts-Communication subpane or the Prime Contracts-Communication subpane.
If these assignments are left blank, then the Initial Delivery Address IDs defined in the Contract or Prime Contract Settings form are the
addresses used for the Contract or Prime Contract. If a Delivery Address ID is assigned, then the Initial Delivery Address ID is overridden.
The Communication address is printed in the Requests for Proposal, Contracts, Prime Contracts, and Change Order reports. The Invoices
address is only printed in the Contracts, Prime Contracts, and the Change reports.
In some cases, the Bidder Letter Templates for the Bidder Cover Letter, Award Letter, Letter of Regret, or Contract Instructions may not be
appropriate for a specific Request for Proposal. You can link an alternative letter when an exception is necessary.
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Note that if an Alternative Bidder Letter is not assigned for any letter, then the Bidder Letter Template assigned in the Contracts
Settings form is used.
These documents are printed for a Request for Proposal when the Bidders List is printed. The Bidder Cover Letter and the Contract
Instructions are printed for all Bidders. The Award Letter is printed only for the Bidder that is selected as the Contractor. The Letters of Regret
are printed for the unselected Bidders.
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To Assign Pay Items and Enter Data for a Request for Proposal/Contract/Prime Contract:
1) Select Contracts > Data > Contracts.
2) Locate a Request for Proposal/Contract.
3) Click the Pay Items subpane tab.
4) Click the Add Record icon. A blank line is added to the Pay Items subpane.
5) Click in the following cells and enter data necessary for a Request for Proposal:
a. Item - this number is automatically assigned starting with 001 and incrementing by one (i.e., 001, 002, 003, etc.). It can be
modified, if necessary, however it must be a unique value.
b. Pay Item Description - a user-defined description of the Pay Item.
c. Quantity Unit - the quantity unit of measure.
d. Quantity Element ID - links Quantity data to Control Elements to transfer committed Quantities to Control Accounts Quantity
Elements in the Cost Management package. It is automatically assigned if the Default Control Element IDs are assigned in the
Contracts Settings form. Click the Quantity Element ID drop-down to select a Quantity Element.
e. Original Quantity - the Quantity amount of the services being contracted when the Request for Proposal is first developed.
f. Approved Quantity Change - this is a read-only field that displays the Quantity Change value for corresponding Pay Item
numbers entered in the Pay Item Changes subpane.
g. Approved Quantity - this is a read-only field that adds the Original Quantity value to the Approved Quantity Change value.
h. Hours Element ID - links Hours data to Control Elements to transfer committed Hours to Control Accounts-Hours Elements in the
Cost Management package. It is automatically assigned if the Default Control Element IDs are assigned in the Contracts Settings
form. Click the Hours Element ID drop-down to select an Hours Element.
i. Hour Rate - the Hours per Quantity rate that is used to calculate the Original Hours. In order for the calculation to work, the
Hours Element ID assigned to the Pay Item must have a Quantity Rate Element assigned in the Control Element form.
j. Original Hours - the number of Hours contracted as part of the services being procured when the Request for Proposal is first
developed. The Hours amount is either entered manually or it is calculated as Original Quantity x Hour Rate. This requires that
the Hours Element ID assigned to the Pay Item must have a Quantity Rate Element assigned in the Control Element form.
k. Approved Hours Change - this is a read-only field that displays the Hours Change value for corresponding Pay Item numbers
entered in the Pay Item Changes subpane.
l. Approved Hours - this is a read-only field that adds the Original Hours value to the Approved Hours Change value.
m. Cost Element ID - links Cost data to Control Elements to transfer committed Cost to Control Accounts Cost Elements in the Cost
Management package. It is automatically assigned if the Default Control Element IDs are assigned in the Contracts Settings form.
Click the Cost Element ID drop-down to select a Cost Element.
n. Unit Price - the Cost per Quantity or Cost per Hours rate that is used to calculate the Original Cost. In order for the calculation to
work, the Cost Element ID assigned to the Pay Item must have a Quantity Rate Element or an Hours Rate Element assigned in the
Control Element form.
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o. Price Unit - select Quantity to calculate the Original Cost as Original Quantity x Unit Price. Alternatively, select Hours to calculate
the Original Cost as Original Quantity x Hours Rate x Unit Price. The Unit Price cell is read-only if the Price Unit cell is blank.
p. Original Cost - the total Cost to purchase the item being procured when the Request for Proposal is first developed. The Cost
amount is either entered manually or it is calculated as Original Quantity x Unit Price or the Original Hours x Unit Price. This
requires that the Cost Element ID assigned to the Pay Item must have a Quantity Rate Element or an Hours Rate Element
assigned in the Control Elements form.
q. Approved Cost Change - this field is read-only and displays the Cost Change value for corresponding Pay Item numbers entered
in the Pay Item Changes subpane.
r. Approved Cost - this is a read-only field that adds the Original Cost value to the Approved Cost Change value.
s. Currency ID - this is enabled on Multi-currency projects. This indicates the currency of the Pay Item if it uses a different Currency
from that assigned to the Request for Proposal/Contract.
t. Exchange Rate - this field is used to enter an exchange rate when the Pay Item exchange rate is different from the Request for
Proposal/Contract's original exchange rate. This should only be used when the Pay Item's currency is different than the Request
for Proposal/Contract currency. If the Exchange Rate is blank, the Project's Actual Exchange Rate in the Currencies (on page 601)
form is used.
It should be noted that if an Exchange Rate is entered that value will be used regardless of the Currency ID values.
u. Below Total - check the Below Total checkbox. This causes the Pay Item costs to not be included with the Pay Items in the
Request for Proposal or Contract reports. The costs will be displayed at the bottom of these reports, below the Pay Items. This
setting is useful for certain types of costs which include freight, taxes, etc.
v. Retention Percentage - this describes the proportion of the contractual amount of the cost that is withheld until the final
delivery of the item being procured.
w. Control Account ID - links the Pay Item to a Control Account to transfer committed Quantity, Hours, and Cost data to the Cost
Management package. The Request For Proposal/Contract has a Control Account ID selection as well; the Pay Item's Control
Account selection overrides the Contract's Control Account. Click the Control Account ID drop-down to select a Control Account.
x. Commit Quantity - the Quantity committed values cannot be transferred to Control Accounts in the Cost Management package
unless the Commit Quantity checkbox is checked. Note that the Commit Pay Items To Control Account checkbox in the
Contracts data pane will also need to be checked.
y. Commit Hours - the Hours committed values cannot be transferred to Control Accounts in the Cost Management package unless
the Commit Quantity checkbox is checked. Note that the Commit Pay Items To Control Account checkbox in the Contracts data
pane will also need to be checked.
z. Quantity Installed - the total quantity of items currently installed.
aa. Previous Quantity To Date - the total quantity of items installed prior to the current Reporting Period.
bb. Hours Worked - the total number of hours currently worked.
cc. Previous Hours Worked - the total number of hours worked prior to the current Reporting Period.
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dd. Percent Complete - the quantity of items currently delivered in terms of percent complete.
ee. Fair Cost Estimate - there are two cells for two separate Fair Cost Estimates. These are used to identify internal estimates used
to verify the Bidder's estimate.
ff. Pass-through Tax Percent - there are two cells for entering user-defined Pass-through Tax information. The column header titles
can be modified in the Contracts Settings form.
gg. Reference Code - there are two cells for entering user-defined reference information. The column header titles can be modified
in the Contracts Settings form.
6) If the Invoice Management package is enabled the following cells provide invoice and payment data for each Pay Item.
a. Quantity Committed – total committed Quantities to be invoiced.
b. Quantity Invoiced – the number of invoiced Quantities.
c. Quantity Paid – the number of paid Quantities.
d. Quantities Remaining – total committed Quantities minus the total Quantities invoiced.
e. Hours Committed – total committed Hours to be invoiced.
f. Hours Invoiced – the number of invoiced Hours.
g. Hours Paid – the number of paid Hours.
h. Hours Remaining – total committed Hours minus the total Hours invoiced.
i. Cost Committed – total committed Costs committed to be invoiced.
j. Cost Invoiced – the Cost that has been invoiced.
k. Cost Paid – the total Cost that has been paid.
l. Cost Remaining – total committed Cost minus the total Cost invoiced.
m. Current Retention – the total sum of Retention minus the sum of the Retention invoiced.
Each Pay Item Change is assigned to a Change ID and a Post Date. The Pay Item Changes will not affect the Contract unless a Change ID is
linked.
When a Change is first being identified, you may only have Estimated Changes to the quantities, hours, and cost data. These estimated values
can be entered on each Pay Item Change. This data will not affect the Contract values. This data may also be associated with a Trend (see "Pay
Item Changes (Contracts)" on page 513). Trends can be linked to Pay Item Changes; however this is for informational purposes only.
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Trends (Contracts)
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PRISM has a Trends feature that is used to communicate potential changes to a Contract or Prime Contract. Once generated, a Trend can be
assigned to one or more Pay Item Changes. However, a Trend will not affect a Contract's quantities, hours, or cost data.
To Add Trends:
1) Select Contracts > Data > Contracts.
2) Click the Trends subpane tab.
3) Click the Add Record icon.
4) Click in the Trend ID cell and enter a unique alphanumeric Trend ID.
5) Click in the Trend Description cell and enter a Description of the Trend.
6) Click the Change Variety ID drop-down and select a Change Variety.
7) Click in the Change Source cell and enter Information that identifies the Source of the Trend.
8) Click in the Requester cell and enter the Name of the person requesting the Trend.
9) Click in the Request Date cell and enter the Date the Trend was requested; usually when the Trend was first identified.
10) Click in the Estimated Days Added To Schedule cell and enter the number of Estimated Days to be added to the schedule.
Changes (Contracts)
Each Contract and Prime Contract has an original set of Pay Items assigned, and for each Pay Item the quantities, rates, hours, and costs are
set. A Prime Contract is similar to a Contract when assigning Pay Items, however, a Prime Contract also has revenue assigned and set to each
Pay Item.
If a modification is necessary, such as adding or deleting Pay Items or changing quantities, rates, hours, cost, or revenue then a Change must
be initiated.
A Change identifies the Source and Requester of the Change and when it was requested. In addition, you can determine the Days Added to
the Schedule and enter any pertinent Remarks about the Change.
Changes can affect a Contract's Approved Cost and Estimate at Completion Cost. How they affect this cost data is dependent upon the Change
Status assigned to the Change.
During the life of a Contract or Prime Contract, each Change may need to be re-statused. For instance, when a Change is first created, the
assigned status may be Pending. Once the Contractor is provided a modified Contract, formal approval is granted and the status is set to
Approved. If at any time the Change is withdrawn or deleted, the status is set to reflect this situation.
Note that once a Change is set to a Status ID that uses "Adds to Approved Budget," the Change is converted to read-only and
cannot be deleted. The only item that remains modifiable is the Status ID. Only Users with Process permissions can assign a
Change Status code that "Adds to Approved Budget."
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To Enter Changes:
1) Select Contracts > Data > Contracts or Prime Contract > Data > Prime Contracts.
2) Locate the Contract or Prime Contract.
3) Click the Changes subpane tab.
4) Click the Add Record icon.
5) Click in the Change ID cell and enter a Change ID.
6) Click in the Change Description cell and enter a Change Description.
7) Click the Change Variety ID drop-down and select a Change Variety.
8) Click in the Change Source cell and enter Information that identifies the Source of the Change.
9) Click in the Requester cell and enter the Requester's Initials.
10) Click the Request Date drop-down and select the Contract's Origin Date.
11) Click the Status ID drop-down and select a Change Status.
12) Click in the Days Added To Schedule cell and enter the Number of Days the change will impact the Contract.
13) Click in the Remarks cell and enter any necessary Remarks.
Bidders (Contracts)
Bidders are assigned to a Request for Proposal in order to identify which qualified Contractors will receive the Request for Proposal
solicitations. Bidders are selected from the Contractors (on page 296) table. The data is copied from the Contractors table to the
Contracts-Bidders subpane. You can modify this data as needed, however the modifications are NOT reflected back to the Contractors table.
As bids are received, a receipt of each Contractor's bid or proposal is documented. The bid data can be entered into a Bid Analysis
Spreadsheet and used to analyze and compare the bids to select the winning Bidder. You can setup your Bid Analysis Spreadsheet in whatever
way makes sense to you. Typically, it is developed using Microsoft Excel and linked to the Request for Proposal for easy access.
To Assign Bidders:
1) Select Contracts > Data > Contracts.
2) Locate a Request for Proposal.
3) Click the Bidders subpane tab.
4) Click the Add Record icon, select one or more Contractor, and click OK.
5) For each Contractor record added, modify or add any information, if necessary.
Note that updating Contractor information in the Contracts-Bidders subpane does not update the information in the Contractors
table.
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Events (Contracts)
A Contract Schedule is assigned to each Request for Proposal to define a specific set of Contract Events that will take place to successfully
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complete the Contracting process. PRISM allows three separate schedules for each Request for Proposal/Contract to be tracked. These
include a Planned schedule, a Forecast schedule, and an Actual schedule.
Prior to assigning Contract Schedules, Events (on page 293) and Event Templates (on page 294) for the various contracting activities should be
defined. These definitions make the scheduling process efficient and consistent.
There are a series of processes to use to populate, track, and status Events on Contracts.
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Note that once the Planned Dates are applied, you can change a Planned Date and the Planned Duration is recalculated. Alternatively, you can
change a Planned Duration and the Planned Date is recalculated.
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d. Click in the Weight cell and enter a Weight Factor that is used in Percent Complete calculations.
5) To copy Event Templates:
a. Click the Copy Event Template icon on the navigation toolbar, select an Event Template ID, and click OK.
b. A prompt appears. Click Yes to delete any existing Events in the subpane before the Event Template is copied, or click No to
merge the Event Template with the existing Events.
c. The Event IDs, Description, Planned Duration, and Weight fields are populated.
6) To manually populate Dates, click in a Date cell on any Event and enter a Date. The subsequent dates and the current Event durations
are calculated.
7) To copy Planned Dates and Durations to the Forecast:
a. Click the Copy Planned To Forecast icon on the navigation toolbar.
b. A prompt appears. Click Yes to copy both Durations and Dates; or click No to copy Durations only.
8) To copy Schedule Activity Dates to Planned or Forecast Dates:
a. For any Event, click the Activity ID drop-down and select an Activity ID.
This data comes from the Cost Management package.
It is recommended that the first Event is linked to an Activity. Therefore, the subsequent dates are calculated once the
Activity Date is copied.
b. Check the Use Start checkbox if you want to use the Activity's Early Start Dates. If this box is left unchecked, the Activity's Early
Finish Dates will be used when the dates are copied.
c. Click the Copy Schedule Activity Dates icon on the navigation toolbar. The Copy Schedule Activity Dates form appears.
d. Check the Planned Dates checkbox if you want to copy the Schedule Activity's Dates to the Events' Planned Dates.
e. Check the Forecast Dates checkbox if you want to copy the Schedule Activity's Current Dates to the Events' Forecast Dates.
f. Click OK.
9) Click in the Actual Date cell of any Event and enter the Actual Date when the Event was completed.
10) Click the Copy Actual To Forecast icon on the navigation toolbar to copy all Actual Dates to the Forecast Dates.
Addendums (Contracts)
External Addendum documents can be generated and linked to a Contract at anytime. They can be used for additional information that is
included when a Change is made to the Contract.
To Add Addendums:
1) Select Contracts > Data > Contracts.
2) Locate the Contract.
3) Click the Addendums subpane tab.
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Attachments (Contracts)
When generating Requests for Proposal/Contracts and Prime Contracts, you may have external supporting documents that you want linked
to the Request for Proposal/Contract Prime Contracts. Generally, these are requirements or instructions that are printed out and provided to
the Contractor as part of the Request for Proposal/Contract and Prime Contract documents.
The full list of Attachments defined at the Enterprise or Project level can be accessed for inclusion with the Request for Proposal/Contract or
Prime Contract. If you assigned an Agreement Type to the Request for Proposal/Contract, then the selection of Attachments is reduced to only
those assigned to the Agreement Type.
5) Click the Add Record icon, select one or more Attachments, and click OK.
6) For each Attachment added, enter or modify the following data:
a. Click in the Attachment Description cell and enter or modify the Description of the Attachment.
b. Click the Document Type ID drop-down and select a Document Type to categorize the Attachment.
c. Click in the Provider cell and enter or modify the Name of the person or organization that provided the Attachment.
d. Click the Change ID drop-down and select a Change ID.
e. If the Attachment is revised, click in the Revision cell and enter a Revision number.
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f. If the Revision number is modified, click in the Revision Date box and enter a Revision Date.
g. Click in the Sort Code cell and enter an alphanumeric Sort Code to modify how Attachments are ordered in drop-down lists and
forms and printed in the Purchase Order report.
h. Click the Attachment File browse icon and select the document's File Location and File Name, if it is necessary to be changed.
When an Attachment is added, the location is set to the Default Document Path assigned in the Contracts Settings form into
a sub-directory that matches the Request for Proposal/Contract ID.
After an Attachment is linked, an Application icon appears next to the browse icon that corresponds to the file's extension.
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Click the Application icon and the Attachment is opened in the application, if the PRISM User has access to the application.
This process is available for most standard Microsoft Office applications.
i. Click in the Remarks cell and enter any Remarks to explain or describe the Attachment.
Evaluation (Contracts)
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After a Contractor has met or been released from their commitment, PRISM provides a memo field to enter information about their
performance. This data can be used during future Contracting activities to select the Bidders who have a proven track record.
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Tools (Contracts)
The Tools ribbon group in the Contracts tab is where options and settings are defined that affect data, forms, and processes associated with
the Contracts package.
Contracts Settings
The Contract Settings form establishes the settings and options specific to the Contracts package. These settings are usually defined at the
beginning of the project and affect the following functions:
Report Titles
Pay Item Descriptions
Document Folders
Control Element IDs
Delivery Addresses
Pass-through Tax and Reference Code Titles
Bidder Letters
In order to access the Contracts Settings form, at a minimum, your must have Process permissions.
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8) Define a Document Folder Path prior to adding Attachments and other linked documents to Contracts, then when the linked
documents are copied into the folder path, the documents are copied to this folder. Click the Documents Folder Path browse icon,
select a Folder Path and click OK.
a. When documents are linked, a sub-folder is automatically added to the Folder Path, which is labeled as the Request for Proposal
ID or Contract ID that the Attachments or documents are assigned.
9) Click in Default Prime Contract ID drop-down, and select a Prime Contract ID, if necessary.
a. When Request for Proposals or Contracts are created, the Prime Contract ID is initially assigned to the Request for
Proposal/Contract.
b. You can reassign any Prime Contract to a Request for Proposal or Contract after it has been created.
Note that the Prime Contract package must be enabled for this feature to be enabled.
10) Click the Auto-generated Contract IDs drop-down to define a method for how Request for Proposals/Contract IDs will be labeled
when they are created. The following options allow both system-defined and user-defined IDs to be generated.
a. None - IDs are manually entered.
b. Reporting Period + Counter - uses the current Reporting Period plus a numerical counter to automatically generate IDs. For
example, if the Reporting Period is 12, the first ID would be 0012-0001, the second 0012-0002, etc.
c. User-defined Prefix + Counter - uses a User-defined alphanumeric prefix plus a numerical counter to automatically generate IDs.
For example, if the user-defined prefix for the first ID is 001-1, the next Change ID would be 001-2.
Note that when using the auto-generate options, the separator options include a dash, underscore, period, or space. It is
recommended that '0' be used as the first digit after the prefix and separator to avoid sorting issues (e.g., CON-0).
11) Define the Default Control Element IDs for Pay Items by selecting a Quantity Element ID, an Hours Element ID, and a Cost Element
ID. Click the Control Element ID drop-down and select a Control Element ID.
a. When Pay Items are added to Request for Proposals and Contracts, the Default Control Element IDs are initially assigned to each
Pay Item based on these selections.
b. You can re-assign any Control Element after the Pay Item is added to a Request For Proposal or Contract.
12) For each of the two Initial Delivery Addresses, click the Address ID drop-down and select a Delivery Address ID. These assignments
cause the Delivery Address IDs to be automatically assigned to a Request for Proposal when it is created. This feature is useful when a
majority of the Request for Proposals created will use a specific Delivery Address (see "Delivery Addresses" on page 300) for any of
the two address types.
a. Standard Communications ID
b. Invoices ID
13) Click the Additional tab.
14) Click in the Pass-through Tax 1 box and enter a Pass-through Tax label. Do the same in the Pass-through Tax 2 box if another label is
necessary.
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15) Click in the Reference Code 1 box and enter a Reference Code label. Do the same in the Reference Code 2 box if another label is
necessary.
16) Click the Browse icon for the following Letters, locate a Word file, and click Save. This feature is used to define standard Bidder Letter
Templates for all Requests for Proposal on a project.
a. Bidder Cover Letter - a letter of introduction to the selected Bidders that accompany the Request for Proposal documents.
b. Award Letter - a letter informing the winning bidder that they are awarded the Contract.
c. Letter Of Regret - a letter informing the list of bidders who were not awarded the Contract.
d. Contract Instructions - a standard set of instructions (Terms and Conditions) that accompany the Request for Proposal
documents.
These documents are printed for a Request for Proposal when the Bidders List is printed. The Bidder Cover Letter and the
Contract Instructions are printed for all Bidders. The Award Letter is printed only for the Bidder that is selected as the
Contractor. The Letters of Regret are printed for the unselected Bidders.
e. If a file is linked, click the Open File icon to open the Letter in its native format.
17) Click OK.
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Prime Contracts
The Prime Contracts tab is where Prime Contracts are generated; they are initiated from a Scope of Work awarded by an Owner to the
project's Prime Contractor and are used to track a Contract's costs and revenue. The Prime Contract details are assigned as Pay Items. Each
Pay Item is quantified and costs are entered. The Pay Items are committed to Control Accounts in the Cost Management Package. Revenue is
calculated using multipliers or entered as a lump sum for fixed-price contracts.
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Prime Contracts
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The Prime Contracts data pane is used to create Prime Contracts by the Prime Contractor, (PRISM user). It provides a way for the Prime
Contractor to track the quantity, hours, and costs for their portion of the work. In addition, the revenue for a Prime Contract can also be
entered or calculated. Purchase Orders Line Items or Contracts Pay Items are also linked to the Prime Contract to develop the total cost and
revenue for the Prime Contract.
When a Prime Contract is initially created, the Status should be changed from RFP to Award. A Prime Contract is generated after the Owner
has awarded a Scope of Work to the Prime Contractor. Throughout the Prime Contract there are Status codes that can be modified to reflect
the current Status of the Prime Contract.
Award - Prime Contract is awarded to the Contractor
Cancel - the Prime Contract is canceled
Finish - Contracted work between the Owner and Contractor is complete
Hold - the Prime Contract is put on hold
Work - Contracted services are being performed
When the Prime Contract status is set to Award, an Owner must be assigned along with an Award Date. The type of Prime Contract also needs
to be defined; Lump Sum (Fixed Price) or Cost Plus.
Committed costs are the total cost of the Prime Contract; it represents the value that must contractually be paid if the project is canceled.
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Committed costs are important to the Project Controls Specialist and Project Manager as well as the Contract Administrator. PRISM can then
transfer these committed cost values to the Cost Management package. As a normal process, once a Prime Contract is awarded it should also
be committed.
The Cost Management package can be setup to utilize commitment data from the Prime Contracts package. A Prime Contract's Pay Items and
the associated hours and cost data are transferred to Control Accounts. Revenue data is not transferred to a Control Account. You will need to
ensure the Commit Pay Items to Control Account checkbox is checked to enable this process. In the Cost Management Settings (on page 414)
form, the option to allow Commitments to be transferred from Contracts must be enabled.
Prime Contracts can also be used in conjunction with the Procurement and Contracts packages. Throughout the course of a Prime Contract,
the Contractor will likely need to procure equipment and materials as well as services. This is a way for Purchase Orders and Contracts to be
linked to Prime Contracts to track and monitor a Prime Contract's total costs and revenue. Multipliers (on page 287) can also be assigned to
the Prime Contract to calculate any Indirect Costs incurred when generating Purchase Orders and Contracts. These Multipliers are an agreed
upon amount negotiated between the Owner and the Prime Contractor prior to awarding the Contract.
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k. Percent Invoiced - product of the Amount Invoiced plus Retention divided by the Approved Cost.
Percent Invoiced = (Amount Invoiced + Retention) / Approved Cost
l. Amount Paid - total of payments made by the Owner and entered into the Invoices data pane from the Invoice Management
package.
9) Click the Status drop-down and select a system-defined Status code.
a. The Status code is automatically set to RFP when the Prime Contract is first created. It should be changed to Award when the
Prime Contract is awarded.
b. Status codes are periodically modified to reflect the current status of the Prime Contract.
10) When the Contract is Awarded, click in the Award Date box and enter the Date when the Prime Contract was awarded.
11) Click in the Mobilization Date box and enter a planned or actual Mobilization Date that determines when the Contractor will or has
arrived at site to begin the work.
12) Click the Owner ID drop-down and select an Owner from the list of Owners defined in the Owner's table developed at the Enterprise
level.
13) Click the Agreement Type ID drop-down and select an Agreement Type (see "Agreement Types" on page 277).
14) Click the Calendar ID drop-down and select a Calendar ID. This feature is currently disabled and has no affect on Prime Contracts.
15) Once a Prime Contract is awarded, check the Commit Pay Items to Control Account checkbox to commit the Contract Hours and Cost
data to Control Accounts in the Cost Management package.
16) Click the Control Account ID drop-down and select a Control Account ID to transfer the committed Cost and Hours data to the
Control Account's Commitment table.
17) Click in the Engineer box and enter the initials of the Engineer responsible for the Prime Contract.
18) Click in the Administrator box and enter the initials of the Contract Administrator responsible for the Prime Contract.
19) Click the Contract or PO Multiplier ID drop-down and select a Multiplier ID (see "Rates and Multipliers" on page 85).
a. Determines the Indirect Cost Multiplier calculation used to calculate extended costs. These extended costs are assigned to a
Contract and/or a Purchase Order linked to a Prime Contract using the Contracts and Procurement packages. This is a standard
multiplier that is assigned to each Contract and Purchase Order linked to the Prime Contract.
20) Click the Indirect Cost Element ID drop-down and select an Element ID.
a. Links Indirect Cost data (from Contracts and Purchase Orders linked to a Prime Contract) to a Control Element to transfer
committed Costs to Control Account Cost Elements in the Cost Management package.
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To Update/Modify Owners:
1) Select Prime Contracts > Data > Prime Contracts.
2) Locate a Prime Contract where the Owner is to be updated or modified.
3) Click the Owner subpane.
4) Update or modify any Owner Details, as necessary.
If a different Owner ID is re-assigned to the Prime Contracts data pane, the Owner Details will be overridden with the new
Owners' information.
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To Assign Pay Items and Enter Data for a Request for Proposal/Contract/Prime Contract:
1) Select Contracts > Data > Contracts or Prime Contract > Data > Prime Contracts.
2) Locate a Request for Proposal/Contract/Prime Contract.
3) Click the Pay Items subpane tab.
4) Click the Add Record icon. A blank line is added to the Pay Items subpane.
5) Click in the following cells and enter data necessary for a Request for Proposal or Prime Contract:
a. Item - this number is automatically assigned starting with 001 and incrementing by one (i.e., 001, 002, 003, etc.). It can be
modified, if necessary, however it must be a unique value.
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q. Approved Cost Change - this field is read-only and displays the Cost Change value for corresponding Pay Item numbers entered
in the Pay Item Changes subpane.
r. Approved Cost - this is a read-only field that adds the Original Cost value to the Approved Cost Change value.
s. Revenue Element ID - links Revenue data to Control Elements to transfer committed Costs to Control Accounts Cost Elements in
the Cost Management package. It is automatically assigned if the Default Control Element IDs are assigned in the Settings form.
Click the Revenue Element ID drop-down to select a Revenue Element.
t. Revenue Price Unit - select Quantity to calculate the Original Revenue as Original Quantity x Revenue Price. Alternatively, select
Hours to calculate the Original Revenue as Original Revenue x Hours Rate x Revenue Price.
u. Revenue Price - the Cost per Quantity or the Cost per Hours rate that is used to calculate the Original Cost. In order for this
calculation to work, the Cost Element ID assigned to the Pay Item must have the Quantity Rate Element or an Hours Rate
Element assigned in the Control Element form.
v. Original Revenue - the total Revenue earned on the items and services being procured when the Prime Contract is awarded. The
Cost and Hours amount can be entered manually or it can be calculated as the Original Quantity x Revenue Price and the Original
Hours x Revenue Price. This requires that the Revenue Element ID assigned to the Pay Item must have a Quantity Rate Element
or an Hours Rate Element Assigned in the Control Elements form.
w. Approved Revenue Change - this is a read-only field that displays the Revenue Change value for corresponding Pay Item
numbers entered in the Pay Item Changes subpane.
x. Approved Revenue - this is a read-only field that adds the Original Revenue to the Approved Revenue Change value.
y. Currency ID - this is enabled on Multi-currency projects. This indicates the currency of the Pay Item if it uses a different Currency
from that assigned to the Request for Proposal/Contract/Prime Contract.
z. Exchange Rate - this is the exchange rate of Pay Item currency if different from the Request for Proposal/Contract/Prime
Contract currency. This is calculated as: Exchange Rate = Request for Proposal / Contract/Prime Contract Currency / Pay Items
Currency. If the Exchange Rate is blank, the Project's Actual Exchange Rate in the Currencies (on page 601) form is used.
aa. Employee ID - this is a reference field that can be used to assign an Employee to a specific Scope of Work associated with the Pay
Item.
bb. Category ID - this is a reference field that can be used to assign a Category to a specific Scope of Work associated with the Pay
Item.
cc. Below Total - check the Below Total checkbox. This causes the Pay Item costs to not be included with the Pay Items in the
Request for Proposal/Contract/Prime Contract reports. The costs will be displayed at the bottom of these reports, below the Pay
Items. This setting is useful for certain types of costs which include freight, taxes, etc.
dd. Retention Percentage - this describes the proportion of the contractual amount of the cost that is withheld until the final
delivery of the item being procured.
ee. Control Account ID - links the Pay Item to a Control Account to transfer committed Quantity, Hours, and Cost data to the Cost
Management package. The Request For Proposal/Contract/Prime Contract has a Control Account ID selection as well; the Pay
Item's Control Account selection overrides the Contract's Control Account. Click the Control Account ID drop-down to select a
Control Account.
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ff. Commit Quantity - the Quantity committed values cannot be transferred to Control Accounts in the Cost Management package
unless the Commit Quantity checkbox is checked. Note that the Commit Pay Items To Control Account checkbox in the
Contracts data pane will also need to be checked.
gg. Commit Hours - the Hours committed values cannot be transferred to Control Accounts in the Cost Management package unless
the Commit Quantity checkbox is checked. Note that the Commit Pay Items To Control Account checkbox in the Contracts data
pane will also need to be checked.
hh. Quantity To Date - the total quantity of items currently installed.
ii. Previous Quantity To Date - the total quantity of items installed prior to the current Reporting Period.
jj. Hours Worked - the total number of hours currently worked.
kk. Previous Hours Worked - the total number of hours worked prior to the current Reporting Period.
ll. Percent Complete - the quantity of items currently delivered in terms of percent complete.
mm. Fair Cost Estimate - there are two cells for two separate Fair Cost Estimates. These are used to identify internal estimates used
to verify the Bidder's estimate.
6) If the Invoice Management package is enabled the following cells provide invoice and payment data for each Pay Item.
a. Quantity Committed – total committed Quantities to be invoiced.
b. Quantity Invoiced – the number of invoiced Quantities.
c. Quantity Paid – the number of paid Quantities.
d. Quantities Remaining – total committed Quantities minus the total Quantities invoiced.
e. Hours Committed – total committed Hours to be invoiced.
f. Hours Invoiced – the number of invoiced Hours.
g. Hours Paid – the number of paid Hours.
h. Hours Remaining – total committed Hours minus the total Hours invoiced.
i. Cost Committed – total committed Costs committed to be invoiced.
j. Cost Invoiced – the Cost that has been invoiced.
k. Cost Paid – the total Cost that has been paid.
l. Cost Remaining – total committed Cost minus the total Cost invoiced.
m. Current Retention – the total sum of Retention minus the sum of the Retention invoiced.
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13) Click in the Quantity Change cell and enter the Change in quantity.
14) Click in the Hour Rate Change cell and enter the Hour Rate. The Hours Change value is automatically calculated by multiplying the
Quantity Change by the Hours Rate. Alternatively, click in the Hours Change cell and enter the Hours Change value. The Hours Rate is
automatically calculated.
15) Click in the Unit Price cell and enter the Unit Price. The Cost Change value is automatically calculated by multiplying the Quantity
Change by the Unit Price.
16) Click the Price Unit drop-down and select Quantity to calculate the Original Cost as Original Quantity x Unit Price. Alternatively, select
Hours to calculate the Original Cost as Original Quantity x Hours Rate x Unit Price.
17) Click in the Cost Change cell and enter the Cost Change value. The Unit Price is automatically calculated.
18) Click the Revenue Price Unit drop-down and select Quantity to calculate the Original Cost as Original Quantity x Revenue Price.
Alternatively, select Hours to calculate the Original Cost as Original Quantity x Hours Rate x Revenue Price.
19) Click in the Revenue Price and enter the Revenue Price.
20) Click in the Revenue Change cell and enter the Revenue Change. The Revenue Unit Price is automatically calculated.
21) Click in the Price Type cell and enter a Price Type, if it is different than the Prime Contract's Price Type entered in the Payment/Work
subpane.
22) Click in the Post Date cell and enter the Pay Item Change's Post Date.
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To Add Trends:
1) Select Prime Contracts > Data > Prime Contracts.
2) Click the Trends subpane tab.
3) Click the Add Record icon.
4) Click in the Trend ID cell and enter a unique alphanumeric Trend ID.
5) Click in the Trend Description cell and enter a Description of the Trend.
6) Click the Change Variety ID drop-down and select a Change Variety.
7) Click in the Change Source cell and enter Information that identifies the Source of the Trend.
8) Click in the Requester cell and enter the Name of the person requesting the Trend.
9) Click in the Request Date cell and enter the Date the Trend was requested; usually when the Trend was first identified.
10) Click in the Estimated Days Added To Schedule cell and enter the number of Estimated Days to be added to the schedule.
To Enter Changes:
1) Select Contracts > Data > Contracts or Prime Contract > Data > Prime Contracts.
2) Locate the Contract or Prime Contract.
3) Click the Changes subpane tab.
4) Click the Add Record icon.
5) Click in the Change ID cell and enter a Change ID.
6) Click in the Change Description cell and enter a Change Description.
7) Click the Change Variety ID drop-down and select a Change Variety.
8) Click in the Change Source cell and enter Information that identifies the Source of the Change.
9) Click in the Requester cell and enter the Requester's Initials.
10) Click the Request Date drop-down and select the Contract's Origin Date.
11) Click the Status ID drop-down and select a Change Status.
12) Click in the Days Added To Schedule cell and enter the Number of Days the change will impact the Contract.
13) Click in the Remarks cell and enter any necessary Remarks.
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Note that when using the auto-generate options, the separator options include a dash, underscore, period, or space. It is
recommended that '0' be used as the first digit after the prefix and separator to avoid sorting issues (e.g., CON-0).
6) Define the Default Control Element IDs for Pay Items by selecting a Quantity Element ID, an Hours Element ID, a Cost Element ID,
and a Revenue Element ID. Click the Control Element ID drop-down and select a Control Element ID.
a. When Pay Items are added to a Prime Contract, the Default Control Element IDs are initially assigned to each Pay Item based on
these selections.
b. You can re-assign any Control Element after a Pay Item is added to a Prime Contract.
7) For each of the two Initial Delivery Addresses, click the Address ID drop-down and select a Delivery Address ID. These assignments
cause the Delivery Address IDs to be automatically assigned to a Prime Contract when it is created. This feature is useful when a
majority of the Prime Contracts created will use specific Delivery Addresses (on page 300) for any of the two address types.
8) Click the Contract Information Label 1 box and enter a Contract Information label. Do the same in the Contract Information Label 2
and Contract Information Label 3 boxes, if necessary.
9) Click in the Change Information Label 1 box and enter a Change Information label. Do the same in the Change Information Label 2
and Change Information Label boxes, if necessary.
10) Click in the Pass-through Tax 1 box and enter a Pass-through Tax label. Do the same in the Pass-through Tax 2 box if another label is
necessary.
11) Click in the Reference Code 1 box and enter a Reference Code label. Do the same in the Reference Code 2 box if another label is
necessary.
Note that these User-defined Labels will be hidden until they are defined.
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Chapter 16
Invoice Management
The Invoice Management tab is where Invoices for Purchase Orders, Contracts, and Prime Contracts are entered and tracked. Once Invoices
are approved, Payment Requests are generated and sent to the accounts payable department. Each payment on Purchase Orders, Contracts,
and Prime Contracts is also entered and tracked. Invoices and Payment details are linked with Purchase Orders from the Procurement
package, Contracts from the Contracts package, and Prime Contracts from the Prime Contracts package. This allows invoices to be paid on
specific Line Items and Pay Items. It also displays total invoiced and paid amounts to be viewed on each Purchase Order, Contract, and Prime
Contract in their perspective packages.
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Invoices
As Invoices are received from Vendors or created for Owners, they are entered into the Invoices data pane. You must first determine if the
Invoice is associated with a Purchase Order, a Contract, or a Prime Contract. You can then locate and select the Purchase Order, Contract, or
Prime Contract to enter the Invoice data.
The Invoice data pane includes information about the Invoice creation, as well as the services acquired or services rendered.
When the Invoice record is created, the Status ID is blank and should be updated depending on the current status of the Invoice. The Status
selections are defined in the Invoice Status form.
Once an Invoice is approved for a Purchase Order or Contract, it can be paid and information regarding the Payment is entered in the Invoices
data pane. For a Prime Contract, once the Invoice is approved it can be submitted to the Owner for payment. This includes the Payment
Terms, who approved the Payment, and various payment dates.
The Invoices data pane includes a Commitment Data group box where invoice and payment data associated with a Purchase Order or
Contract is summarized. The following data is displayed:
Commitment - Approved Cost of a Purchase Order or Contract.
Approved Invoices - summarized Invoice Amount of all approved Invoices assigned to a Purchase Order or Contract.
Unapproved Invoices - summarized Invoice Amount of all unapproved Invoices assigned to a Purchase Order or Contract.
Remaining - Commitment minus the Approved Invoices and the Unapproved Invoices.
Note that an approved Invoice is defined by the Invoice's Status ID. It must be set to Approved or Paid to be included as an
approved Invoice.
The Commitment Data group box is not enabled when creating an invoice for an Owner of a Prime Contract. The Owner of a Prime Contract is
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responsible for tracking its committed costs to the Prime Contract, and therefore the feature is not enabled in PRISM .
The Owners' committed costs are expected to be tracked in their own Cost Management application.
The Invoices data pane and Payment Requests data pane both include an Invoice Totals group box where data entered in the Invoice Items
and Payment Items subpanes is summarized. The following data is displayed:
Revenue - summarized Revenue of all Invoice items (Prime Contracts only)
Cost - summarized Cost of all Invoice Items.
Tax - summarized Tax of all Invoice items.
Payable - Cost plus Tax minus Discount minus Retention.
Discount - summarized Discount of all Invoice items.
Retention - summarized Retention of all Invoice items.
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18) Click in the Status Date box and enter the Date when the Status ID was changed.
19) Click the Payment Terms ID and select a user-defined Payment Terms ID.
20) Click in the Payment Approver box and enter the Payment Approver's Name.
21) Click in the Payment Due box and enter the Date when the Payment is forecast to be made.
22) Click in the Payment Approved Date and enter the Date when the Payment was approved.
23) Click in the Actual Check Number box and enter the Check Number from the Payment check.
24) Click in the Payment Date box and enter the Date when the Payment was made.
25) Click the Status ID drop-down and select a user-define Invoice Status ID that indicates the Invoice is paid.
26) Click in the Status Date box and enter the Date when the Status ID was changed.
27) If multiple currencies are tracked on the project, click the Currency ID drop-down and select the Currency ID reflective of the costs
entered in the Invoices-Invoice Items subpane or the Invoice-Payments Items subpane.
a. This field is disabled if the project is not setup to be a Multi-currency project.
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b. If this selection is left blank then PRISM assumes the currency to be the Base Currency defined in the Project Settings form.
c. Click in the Invoice Exchange Rate box and enter an Invoice Exchange Rate. If left blank, the Actual Exchange Rate defined in the
Currencies data pane is used.
d. Click in the Payment Exchange Rate box and enter a Payment Exchange Rate. If left blank, the Actual Exchange Rate defined in
the Currencies data pane is used.
Vendor/Owner (Invoices)
A Vendor is automatically assigned to an Invoice based on the Contractor assigned to the Contract or the Supplier assigned to the Purchase
Order. At the same time, the Vendor Details, which includes contact information, are transferred from the Contract or Purchase Order to the
Invoices-Vendor subpane. If you are creating an invoice for a Prime Contract, an Owner will automatically be assigned and its details will be
transferred to the Invoices-Owner subpane.
If necessary, you can change the Vendor ID or Owner ID assigned to the Invoice. The Vendor Details or Owner Details subpane will be
modified, based on the information maintained in the Contractor, Supplier, or Owners tables. Any data transferred into this subpane can be
modified in order to match the information supplied with the Vendor or Owner's Invoice.
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Note that if the Owner needs to be changed or its information needs to be modified on a Prime Contract invoice it follows the
same steps to change a Vendor or Vendor Details on a Contract or Purchase Order.
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a. Quantity Element ID - the Control Element for Quantity of the item being procured.
b. Quantity Unit - the Quantity Unit of Measure of the item being procured.
c. Quantity - the Quantity amount of the item being procured.
d. Hours Element ID - the Control Element for Hours contracted as part of the item being procured.
e. Hours - the number of Hours contracted as part of the item being procured.
f. Cost Element ID - the Control Element for Cost to purchase the item being procured.
g. Cost - the total Cost to purchase the item being procured before taxes and discounts. It also does not have retention removed.
Some companies choose to include Tax in the Cost rather than having it displayed separately.
h. Revenue - the total Revenue billed to the Owner before taxes and discounts. It also does not have retention removed. Revenue
is only assigned for Invoice Items on a Prime Contract.
i. Tax - the amount of tax applied to the item being procured.
j. Retention - the cost value that is withheld until the Purchase Order or Contract has been completely fulfilled. This is also the
amount can also be entered as the amount the Owner has agreed to withhold from the Prime Contractor until the scope of work
is completely fulfilled. This value is entered as a positive value.
k. Discount - the cost value that is used to reduce the total Cost for various reasons including volume discounts or discounts due to
delays. This value is entered as a positive value.
l. Retention Invoice - indicates the costs are to pay Retention. The amount entered in the Cost for a Purchase Order and Contract
is considered a payment on Retention. The Cost value is displayed as a negative Retention value in the Invoices data pane in the
Invoice Totals group box.
m. Reference Code - user-defined reference information. The column header label for the Reference Code can be modified in the
Invoice Management Settings (on page 555).
n. Control Account ID - the Control Account from the Cost Management package that the procured item is associated with.
o. Equipment/Material ID - the Equipment or Material item from the Equipment/Materials package that the procured items are
associated with.
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Documents (Invoices)
External Invoice Documents can be linked to an Invoice record and easily retrieved at any time. This can include electronic copies of the actual
invoice, supporting invoice documentation, or spreadsheet calculations.
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Payment Requests
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Once you have reviewed and approved Invoices that are entered into PRISM , you can provide the Accounts Payable department with the list
of Invoices that need to be paid. You do this by first creating a Payment Request.
Note that an Invoice is approved if the Status ID assigned to the Invoice Stage is set to Approved or Paid.
The Invoices data pane and Payment Requests data pane both include an Invoice Totals group box where data entered in the Invoice Items
and Payment Items subpanes is summarized. The following data is displayed:
Revenue - summarized Revenue of all Invoice items (Prime Contracts only)
Cost - summarized Cost of all Invoice Items.
Tax - summarized Tax of all Invoice items.
Payable - Cost plus Tax minus Discount minus Retention.
Discount - summarized Discount of all Invoice items.
Retention - summarized Retention of all Invoice items.
Total Value - Cost plus Tax.
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5) Click in the Line Item Reference Code Title box and enter a Reference Code label.
6) Click in the Payment Reference Code Title box and enter a Reference Code label.
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Chapter 17
Field Management
The Field Management tab is where quantities and hours for Progress Accounts and Progress Items are entered, budgeted, and statused.
Progress Items can be defined and linked to Progress Accounts to provide a lower-level of detail for imputing and tracking quantities and
hours. Progress Accounts then define the performance measurement baseline for Field activities. Actual Quantities installed and Hours
worked are imported, progressed, and performance is calculated, variances are analyzed, and the Field Management project is forecast.
Progress Accounts
The Progress Accounts data pane is used for managing and progressing a specific scope of work related to Field Management project
activities. Progress Accounts are used to track budgets, actuals, forecasts, and earned value for quantities and hours. A Progress Account can
also serve as an interface point where Progress Items are assigned, budgeted, and statused.
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Each Progress Account is then integrated with a schedule to create time-phased data plans and forecast for quantities and hours. Unit Rates
are also calculated and determine the quantities completed per hour worked.
When used in conjunction with the Cost Management package, Progress Accounts are linked to Control Accounts to transfer Field progress
data.
When creating a Progress Account there are a number of items to assign, including:
Quantity Title/Unit - A description that further describes the quantity and defines the account's quantity unit of measure.
Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) - used to sort, group, summarize, and filter data.
Budget Source - used to determine where the Baseline Budget quantities and hours displayed on Progress Accounts are derived.
Percent Complete Method - used to calculate progress.
Schedule Dates - used for time-phasing quantities and hours; dates included are Baseline, Approved, Control, and Current.
Distribution Curves - algorithms used to spread quantities and hours for the Baseline Budget, Approved Budget, Control Budget, and
the Estimate to Complete based on Start and Finish Dates. These quantities and hours are distributed in the Time Phased Data
subpane.
The Field Management Baseline Development process provides additional details on how Progress Accounts are created and information is
entered.
Progress Accounts are progressed each Reporting Period, which means certain items in the Progress Accounts data pane will have to be
modified.
If the Percent Complete Method is set to MAN, for manual entry, then the current percent complete method must be assigned. If not,
this is an automatic calculation when using the Calculate Account Totals function.
The Approved/Control and Current Schedule Dates are modified as necessary.
The Calculate Field Management Totals function is used to calculate Progress, Baseline, Approved, and Control Budgets, and the Estimate at
Completion for every Progress Account. The Spread Time Phased Data calculation is used to globally time phase each Progress Account's
Baseline Budget, Approved Budget, Control Budget, and ETC quantities and hours across a range of Schedule Dates.
There are three icons on the navigation toolbar that perform similar actions but only against the selected Progress Account:
Calculate Account Totals - calculates the Approved Budget quantities and hours, Control Budget quantities and hours, and the
Percent Complete. It does not calculate the Baseline Budget quantities and hours. This ensures the Baseline Budget quantities and
hours are not inadvertently modified.
Spread Budgets - spreads the Approved quantities and hours in the Progress Account-Time Phased Data subpane from the current
Reporting Period to the Approved Finish Date using the Approved Budget Time Phased Data Distribution Curve. The Control Budget
quantities and hours are calculated in the same manner, except using the Control Finish Date and the Control Budget Time Phased
Data Distribution Curve.
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Spread ETC/Earned - spreads the remaining Earned Value and the Estimate to Complete quantities and hours in the Progress
Accounts-Time Phased Data subpane from the next Reporting Period to the Current Finish data using the Estimate to Complete Time
Phased Data Distribution Curve.
The Field Management Monitoring and Analysis Process (see "Field Management Monitoring and Analysis" on page 129) provides
additional details on how Progress Accounts are statused each Reporting Period.
4) If you wish to change the Description, click in the Description box and enter a new Description for the Progress Account.
5) Click the Control Account ID drop-down and select a Control Account ID, if they have been defined for the project. This is used to link
Progress Accounts to Control Accounts so that Field progress data can be used to calculate progress on Control Accounts. Several
Progress Accounts can be linked to one Control Account.
6) Click the WBS ID drop-down and select a WBS ID, if they have been defined for the project.
a. The WBS IDs listed in the drop-down are only those defined at the lowest level of the WBS in the WBS data pane.
b. The WBS may have automatically been assigned when the Progress Account was created depending on if WBS Masking (see
"Work Breakdown Structure" on page 611) had been applied.
7) Click in the Quantity Title box and enter a Quantity Title to further describe the Quantity.
8) Click in the Quantity Unit box and enter the Quantity Unit of Measure.
9) Click the Budget Source drop-down and select one of the three Budget Sources:
a. Progress Items - Progress Account's Baseline Budget quantities and hours are calculated as the sum of the Baseline quantities
and hours for the linked Progress Items.
b. Baseline data - Progress Account's Baseline Budget quantities and hours are calculated as the sum of the Baseline Quantities and
Hours in the Baseline subpane.
c. Manual - Progress Account's Baseline Budget quantities and hours are manually entered in the Progress Account's Baseline
Budget quantities and hours box.
10) In the Progress Account Totals group box, click in the Baseline Budget Quantity and Baseline Budget Hours and enter the Baseline
Budget Quantities and Baseline Budget Hours.
a. This is only necessary if you want to manually enter the Baseline Budget Quantities and Baseline Budget Hours instead of
calculating them from the baseline quantities and hours entered in the Progress Items or Progress Accounts-Baseline subpane.
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15) Click in the Baseline, Approved, Control, and Current Schedule Date boxes and enter the Start and Finish Dates. This method of
manually entering dates is time consuming. Typically, dates are imported into the Cost Management package from an external
schedule. The Early Schedule Dates imported into the Activities data pane can then be copied to the Progress Accounts using the
Copy Schedule Dates (on page 695) utility.
a. The Baseline Dates reflect the Construction project's baseline schedule. The Baseline Dates are used, along with the Budget
Distribution Curve algorithm, to time phase the Baseline Budget Quantities and Hours.
b. The Approved Dates reflect the Construction project's baseline plus approved schedule changes. The Approved Dates are used,
along with the Approved Budget Distribution Curve algorithm, to time phase the Approved Budget Quantities and Hours.
c. The Control Dates reflect the Construction project's baseline plus control schedule changes. The Control Dates are used, along
with the Control Budget Distribution Curve algorithm, to time phase the Control Budget Quantities and Hours.
d. The Current Dates reflect the current working schedule, also referred to as the forecast schedule. The Current Dates are used,
along with the Estimate to Complete Distribution Curve algorithm, to time phase the Estimate to Complete Quantities and
Hours.
16) For each Time Phased Data Distribution Curve, select the Curve ID drop-down and select a Distribution Curve. These are algorithms
for spreading budgets and forecast data in the Progress Accounts-Time Phased Data subpane. Time phased data is not changed by
simply selecting a curve. You must run the Spread Field Time Phased Data calculation.
a. Baseline Budget - Baseline Budget is spread across the Baseline Budget Schedule Dates.
b. Approved Budget - Approved Budget and the Earned Value are spread across the Approved Budget Schedule Dates.
c. Control Budget - Control Budget and the Earned Value are spread across the Control Budget Schedule Dates.
d. Estimate to Complete - ETC is spread across the Estimate to Complete Schedule Dates.
The table below indicates the different system-defined distribution curves available and how they spread data.
Curve ID Description
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Curve ID Description
The distribution is based on the weighted average of the linked Activities. This requires Activities to be imported
ACTIVITY into the Activities data pane and cross-referenced to Engineering Accounts. Weighting is based on the
Cross-referenced Weight assigned to each Activity.
The distribution is based on the weighted average of the linked Progress Items. This requires Progress Items to be
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linked to Progress Accounts. Weighting is based on the Baseline Budget Hours assigned to each Progress Item.
17) In the Performance group box there are two boxes where you can enter Quantity Estimate To Complete and/or the Hours Estimate
to Complete.
a. Click in the Quantity Estimate To Complete box and enter the Quantity Performance Index Estimate To Complete Quantities
for the Progress Account. This is a manually entered number that can be used as an alternative method for calculating the
Progress Account's Estimate at Completion.
b. Click in the Hours Estimate To Complete box and enter the Hours Performance Index Estimate To Complete Hours for the
Progress Account. This is a manually entered number that can be used as an alternative method for calculating the Progress
Account's Estimate at Completion.
18) In the Performance group box, there are two calculated fields for the Progress Account's Quantity Performance Index (QPI) and
Hours Performance Index (HPI). These are read-only fields.
a. Quantity To Date - this represents the Quantity Performance Index. This is calculated as the Earned Value Quantities / Actual
Quantities. This calculation uses the To Date Quantities from the first Reporting Period to the current Reporting Period.
b. Hours To Date - this represents the Hours Performance Index. This is calculated as Earned Value Hours / Actual Hours. This
calculation uses the To Date Hours from the first Reporting Period to the current Reporting Period.
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Note that the Baseline Source must be set to Baseline Data in the Progress Accounts data pane for this subpane to be enabled.
Warning: You can manually enter or modify data in the Time Phased Data subpane; however, it is highly recommended that data
is entered through the use of calculations.
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In order to enter data manually, the Time Phased Data Distribution Curves would have to be set to MAN, for manual; otherwise the system
will overwrite any manually entered data when the Spread Time Phased Data calculation is run. When manually adding records to this
subpane, you must select one or more Reporting Periods.
The following list of fields is tracked in the Time Phased Data subpanes. This list indicates which fields are read-only and which fields will warn
you when you try to manually enter data into the field:
Baseline Budget
Approved Budget Warning when entering data in past periods.
Control Budget
Earned Value
Control Earned Value Read-only for past and current periods.
Actuals/ETC
Approved Budget Changes
Control Budget Changes Read-only for all periods.
EAC Variance
The Baseline Budget, Approved Budget, and Control Budget fields can be locked so that no data can be modified if the Allow Manual Entry
options are enabled in the Field Management Settings (on page 589) form.
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10) The Actual/ETC Quantity cell displays the Actual amount for the Reporting Period, if the period is the current or any previous periods.
This cell displays the ETC amount for future periods.
11) The Approved Budget Changes Quantity cell displays the Quantities added to the Approved Budget in the Reporting Period that the
Quantities were added.
12) The Control Budget Changes Quantity cell displays the Quantities added to the Control Budget in the Reporting Period that the
Quantities were added.
13) The Variance Quantity cell displays the difference between the Previous Period's EAC and the EAC for the Reporting Period. The
Previous Period's EAC is the value that was entered for the Reporting Period prior to Closing the Reporting Period.
14) The Baseline Budget Hour cell displays the Baseline Budget Hours amount for the Reporting Period.
15) The Approved Budget Hour cell displays the Approved Budget Hours amount for the Reporting Period.
16) The Control Budget Hour cell displays the Control Budget Hours amount for the Reporting Period.
17) The Earned Value Hour cell displays the Earned Value Hours amount for the Reporting Period.
18) The Control Earned Value Hour cell displays the Control Earned Value Hours amount for the Reporting Period.
19) The Actual/ETC Hour cell displays the Actual Hours amount for the Reporting Period, if the period is the current or any previous
periods. This cell displays the ETC amount for future periods.
Note that Actuals cannot be modified in past Reporting Periods in this subpane. You will need to use the Import Data from
File feature to change Actuals in import changes to historical Actuals Hours.
20) The Approved Budget Changes Hour cell displays the Hours added to the Approved Budget in the Reporting Period that the Hours
were added.
21) The Control Budget Changes Hour cell displays the Hours added to the Control Budget in the Reporting Period that the Hours were
added.
22) The EAC Variance Hour cell displays the difference between the Previous Period's EAC and the EAC for the Reporting Period. The
Previous Period's EAC is the value that was entered for the Reporting Period prior to Closing the Reporting Period.
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e. Click in the Weight cell and enter a Weight that is used in Percent Complete calculations.
To Enter Changes:
1) Select Field Management > Data > Progress Accounts.
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Quantity Element
Hour Element
Cost Element From Quantity
Cost Element From Hours
Note that only one type of element can be assigned to each Progress Account. Multiple Quantity and Hours elements cannot be
assigned. If multiple elements are required, it is recommended to create additional Progress Accounts.
If these assignments are left blank, then the Control Element IDs defined in the Field Management Settings (on page 589) form are the
elements used for the Progress Account. If an element is assigned in the Cost Rates subpane then the element in the settings form is
overridden.
To track and calculate costs on Progress Accounts a Cost Per Quantity and a Labor Category ID can be assigned.
The Cost Per Quantity is the estimated cost to install or complete each quantity item on the Progress Account. This is calculated as the
Approved Budget Quantities x the Cost Per Quantity.
By assigning a Labor Category (see "Enterprise Categories" on page 275), the cost per hour to work on the Progress Account can be tracked
and calculated. The Labor Category ID assigned to the Progress Account is the estimated average hourly rate. This is calculated as the
Approved Budget Hours x the Labor Category Rate.
Note that cost data is not displayed in the Field Management package. The cost calculations are performed in the Cost
Management package using the Calculate Account Totals (see "Calculate Control Account Totals" on page 394) calculation.
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Progress Items
The Progress Items data pane is used for managing and progressing Field quantities and hours at a lower, more detailed level. Progress Items
could include such things as concrete, bolts, piping, fans, etc. that are part of a work package or an area where the work is being performed.
This is where a Progress Item's quantities and hours are entered, budgeted, and statused. Once a Progress Item has been created, it is
assigned to a Progress Account. This can be done in two ways. The first way is by selecting a Progress Account ID on the Progress Items data
pane. The other way is to use the Progress Accounts-Progress Items subpane to add one or more Progress Items to the Progress Account.
When creating a Progress Item there are a number of items to assign, which include:
Progress Items Information - used to categorize and status Progress Items.
Quantities - used for entering planned baseline quantities to complete a Progress Item, approved quantities, control quantities, and
Estimate at Complete quantities to complete the Progress Item.
Hours - used for entering planned baseline hours to complete the Progress Item, approved budget hours, control budget hours, and
forecasting hours to complete a Progress Item during the execution of the project.
Percent Complete - used to calculate progress.
Schedule Dates - used to identify planned, forecast, and actual dates when a Progress Item is started and when it is complete.
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10) Click in the ETC Rate box and enter an Estimate to Complete Rate. The ETC Rate is the Hours Estimate to Complete / Quantities
Estimate to Complete. When an ETC Rate and Quantities Estimate to Complete are entered, the Hours Estimate to Complete is
automatically calculated.
11) In the Percent Complete group box, click the Percent Complete Method drop-down and select one of the Progress Items Percent
Complete Methods. This is a system-defined algorithm which is used to calculate a Progress Item's percent complete, or progress.
a. To manually enter a Percent Complete for a Progress Item, click the Method drop-down, select MAN, then click in the Current
box, and enter a Percent Complete.
b. If this setting is left blank, then the Default Percent Complete Method defined in the Field Management Settings form is used
when progress is calculated.
12) In the Quantities group box, click the Baseline Budget box and enter the Quantities Baseline Budget. This is the original quantity that
Field Management plans to use to complete the Progress Item.
a. Manual Entry of data in this box can be enabled or disabled using the Allow Manual Entry of Progress Items-Baseline Budget
Data option found in the Field Management Settings form.
b. Baseline Budget Quantities for Progress Accounts can be calculated from the Baseline Budget Quantities assigned to Progress
Items linked to Progress Accounts. The Calculate Progress Account Totals feature is used to perform this calculation.
13) In the Quantities group box, click the Approved Budget and enter the Quantities Approved Budget. This is the original quantity plus
any approved quantities.
a. Manual Entry of data in this box can be enabled or disabled using the Allow Manual Entry of Progress Items-Approved Budget
Data option found in the Field Management Settings form.
b. Rather than entering Approved Quantities manually, they can automatically be calculated from Field Management Changes
assigned to the Progress Account. The Calculate Progress Account Totals feature is used to perform this calculation. This feature
also assigns the Approved Quantities to Progress Accounts.
14) In the Quantities group box, click the Pending Budget and enter the Quantities Pending Budget. This is the original quantity plus any
pending quantity changes.
a. Manual Entry of data in this box can be enabled or disabled using the Allow Manual Entry of Progress Items-Pending Budget
Data option found in the Field Management Settings form.
b. Rather than entering Pending Quantities manually, they can automatically be calculated from Field Management Changes
assigned to the Progress Account. The Calculate Progress Account Totals feature is used to perform this calculation.
15) In the Quantities group box, the Earned Value box is a calculated field from the data in the Progress Items data pane. The Earned
Value is the Earned Value Hours from the first Reporting Period to the current Reporting Period. This calculation is applied to To Date
data as: Approved Budget x Current Percent Complete / 100.
16) In the Quantities group box, click the Estimate to Complete box and enter the Estimate to Complete Quantities. This is the amount
of quantities that are remaining to complete the Progress Item.
a. When a project is baselined, the Estimate to Complete quantities should be set equal to the Baseline Budget Quantities.
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b. Estimate to Complete quantities for Progress Accounts can be calculated from the Estimate to Complete quantities assigned to
the Progress Items that are linked to Progress Accounts. The Calculate Progress Account Totals feature is used to perform this
calculation.
17) In the Quantities group box, the Previous ETC box indicates the Estimate to Complete Quantities assigned to the Progress Item in the
previous Reporting Period.
a. Manual entry of data in this box can be enabled or disabled using the Allow Manual Entry of Progress Items-Previous Data option
found in the Field Management Settings.
18) In the Hours group box, click the Baseline Budget box and enter the Baseline Budget Hours. This is the original hours planned to
complete the Progress Item.
a. Manual Entry of data in this box can be enabled or disabled using the Allow Manual Entry of Progress Items-Baseline Budget
Data option found in the Field Management Settings form.
b. Baseline Budget Hours for Progress Accounts can be calculated from the Baseline Budget Hours assigned to Progress Items linked
to Progress Accounts. The Calculate Progress Account Totals feature is used to perform this calculation.
19) In the Hours group box, click the Approved Budget and enter the Approved Budget Hours. This is the original hours plus any
approved hours.
a. Manual Entry of data in this box can be enabled or disabled using the Allow Manual Entry of Progress Items-Approved Budget
Data option found in the Field Management Settings form.
b. Rather than entering Approved Hours manually, they can automatically be calculated from Field Management Changes assigned
to the Progress Account. The Calculate Progress Account Totals feature is used to perform this calculation. This feature also
assigns the Approved Hours to Progress Accounts.
20) In the Hours group box, click the Pending Budget and enter the Pending Budget Hours. This is the original hours plus any pending
hours changes.
a. Manual Entry of data in this box can be enabled or disabled using the Allow Manual Entry of Progress Items-Pending Budget
Data option found in the Field Management Settings form.
b. Rather than entering Pending Hours manually, they can automatically be calculated from Field Management Changes assigned to
the Progress Account. The Calculate Progress Account Totals feature is used to perform this calculation.
21) In the Hours group box, the Earned Value box in a calculated field from the data in the Progress Items data pane. The Earned Value is
the Earned Value Hours from the first Reporting Period to the current Reporting Period. This calculation is applied to To Date data as:
Approved Budget x Current Percent Complete / 100.
22) In the Hours group box, click the Estimate to Complete box and enter the Estimate to Complete Hours. This is the amount of hours
that determines that are remaining to complete the Progress Item.
a. When a project is baselined, the Estimate to Complete hours should be set equal to the Baseline Budget Hours.
b. Estimate to Complete hours for Progress Accounts can be calculated from the Estimate to Complete hours assigned to the
Progress Items that are linked to Progress Accounts. The Calculate Progress Account Totals feature is used to perform this
calculation.
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23) In the Hours group box, the Previous ETC box indicates the Estimate to Complete Hours assigned to the Progress Item in the previous
Reporting Period.
a. Manual entry of data in this box can be enabled or disabled using the Allow Manual Entry of Progress Items-Previous Data
option found in the Field Management Settings.
24) In the Schedule Dates group box, click in the Schedule Start and Schedule Finish date boxes and enter the schedule start and
schedule finish dates when work on the Progress Item is scheduled to start and be completed.
a. The Current Dates reflect the current working schedule, also referred to as the forecast schedule. The Current Dates are used,
along with the Estimate to Complete Distribution Curve algorithm, to time phase the Estimate to Complete Hours.
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Progress Items Summarized quantities and hours from Progress Items that are linked to the Progress Account
Baseline Data Summarized hours from items assigned in the Progress Accounts-Baseline subpane
Manual No calculation; uses hours manually entered in the Engineering Account
At the beginning of a project the Baseline Budget Hours, Approved Budget Hours, Control Budget Hours, and the Estimate at Completion
Hours should be equal. The Calculate Field Management Totals calculation has the Approved Budget Using Change Data option to calculate
the Approved Budget as well as a Control Budget Using Change Data option to calculate the Control Budget. The calculation is performed by
adding the Baseline Budget Hours and the Change Hours. Since there are no Change Hours at the beginning of the project, the Baseline Budget
Hours, the Approved Budget Hours, and the Control Budget Hours are calculated to be equal.
There are three options to calculate the Estimate at Completion. One of these options, EAC Using Field Management Change Data is similar to
the Approved Budget calculation in that it adds the Change Hours to the Baseline Budget Hours to calculate the Estimate at Completion Hours.
This should be used when baselining the project to ensure the Estimate at Completion Hours are equal to the Baseline Budget Hours.
There is also an option to calculate Actual Totals. This calculation uses a Progress Account's actual quantities and hours in the Period Actuals
subpane to calculate progress on a Progress Account by adding the summation of the Progress Account's Period Actuals + Previous Actual to
Date.
The third option to calculate the Estimate At Completion is EAC Using Actual To Date And ETC With PI, which uses the Actual To Data with
Quantity and/or Hours Performance Index Estimate to Complete data to calculate progress on a Progress Account. This calculation is defined
as EAC = Actual To Date + ((Approved Budget - Earned To Date) / PI).
It is possible to create a list of Progress Items and directly assign a Progress Account ID to each Progress Item without having created the
Progress Accounts first. The Calculate Progress Account Totals calculation includes an option to Create Missing Progress Accounts. If selected,
all the Progress Accounts would be created when this calculation is run. However, you will still have to fill in details such as the Progress
Account Description.
The Progress and Time Phased Data option is enabled by default. You can choose to not calculate this data, however, calculating the data
does not have any adverse affects. This option calculates the Percent Complete for Progress Items and Progress Accounts based on the Field
Management Percent Complete Methods assigned to each record. It also calculates the Earned Value for the current Reporting Period in
Progress Accounts.
The Estimate at Completion Using Progress Items ETC Data option calculates the Progress Accounts Estimate to Complete for Progress
Accounts that have the Baseline Source set to Progress Items. The Estimate to Complete data entered on Progress Items that are linked to a
Progress Account are summarized and added to the Progress Account's Actual to Date Hours.
Note that there are three options for calculating the Estimate at Completion. You will need to decide which method is appropriate
for your project.
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8) Click the Control Budget drop-down, and select Use Field Management Change Data checkbox in order to calculate the Baseline
Budget Data for Progress Accounts by adding the Field Management Change Hours to the Baseline Budget Data. This option also
applies the Control Budgets to Progress Items if the Field Management Change specifies any Progress Items.
a. The Change Status assigned to the Field Management Change will have to be defined to add the Change Quantities and Hours to
the Progress Account.
b. Pending Hours are also applied to Progress Items in the Change Status assigned to the Field Management Change is defined to
apply the Change Quantities and Hours to Pending.
9) Click the Estimate At Completion drop-down, and select one of the following:
a. Use Actual To Date And Progress Items Data checkbox in order to calculate the Estimate at Completion Quantities and Hours for
Progress Accounts by adding the summation of the linked Progress Items' Estimate to Complete Data to the Progress Account's
Actuals to Date Hours.
b. Use Actual To Date And ETC With PI checkbox in order to calculate the Account's Estimate at Completion Quantities and Hours
using the Quantities and Hours Performance Index Estimate to Complete. This Estimate at Completion is calculated as Actual To
Date + ((Approved Budget - Earned To Date) / QPI) or Actual To Date + ((Approved Budget - Earned To Date) / HPI).
c. Use Field Management Change Data checkbox in order to calculate the Estimate at Completion Hours for Progress Accounts by
adding the Field Management Change Data to the Baseline Budget Data.
d. The Change Status assigned to the Field Management Change will have to be defined to add the Change Data to the Progress
Account.
Pending Hours are also applied to Progress Items if the Change Status (on page 273) assigned to the Field Management
Change is defined to apply the Change Quantities and Hours to Pending.
10) Check the Baseline Dates Using Progress Items Schedule Dates checkbox in order to calculate the Progress Account's Baseline Start
and Finish Dates. This calculation uses the Progress Items' Documents' Schedule Start Date and the latest Schedule Finish Date.
11) Check the Approved Dates Using Progress Items Schedule Dates checkbox in order to calculate the Progress Account's Approved
Start and Finish Dates. This calculation uses the Progress Items' earliest Schedule Start Date and the latest Schedule Finish Date.
12) Check the Control Dates Using Progress Items Schedule Dates checkbox in order to calculate the Progress Account's Control Start
and Finish Dates. This calculation uses the Progress Items' earliest Schedule Start Date and the latest Schedule Finish Date.
13) Check the Current Dates Using Progress Items Forecast Dates checkbox in order to calculate the Progress Account's Current Start and
Finish Dates. This calculation uses the Progress Items' Forecast Start Date and the Forecast Finish Date.
14) Apply a Filter (on page 193), if necessary.
15) Click OK.
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How data is Spread depends on the type of data (Budget, Earned, or Actual/ETC) and the starting period assigned that determines when the
spread of data begins. The following examples indicate how the Spread calculation works. It is based on a five-period schedule with a Baseline
Budget of 1000. For ease of understanding, it is assumed that each period has an equal number of work days and the distribution curve is set
to Even. Both the Baseline Budget and the Estimate to Complete are spread starting at Period 1.
1 200 200
2 200 200
3 200 200
4 200 200
5 200 200
This next example indicates that the Baseline Budget is spread starting at Period 1 and the Estimate to Complete is spread starting at Period 2
(the period after the Current Reporting Period).
1 200
2 200 250
3 200 250
4 200 250
5 200 250
If the Actual value for Period 1 is 100, then the Estimate to Complete is calculated as shown in the example below.
1 200 100
2 200 225
3 200 225
4 200 225
5 200 225
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You can choose to spread the Baseline Budget, Approved Budget, Control Budget, Earned Value, or the Actual/ETC hours independently or all
at the same time.
The Budgets always default to the current Reporting Period, but you can set it to any period. The Earned Value and Actual/ETC always default
to the period after the current Reporting Period. You can change it to any period starting from the current Reporting Period forward. When
baselining the project, these should all be set to Period 1.
Note that during project execution, if the Earned Value and the Actual/ETC are set to the current Reporting Period, then the
calculated Earned Value and the Period Actuals are overwritten. The only reason to do this is if you do not have final period
actuals and performance and you want to simulate Earned Value and Actual values for the current Reporting Period.
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The Put Unspreadable Data In Start Period option is used to place hours into the start period if, for some reason, PRISM cannot spread
them appropriately. Unspreadable data can be caused by several situations:
The project is extended past the end of the last defined Reporting Period.
A change is approved several periods after the start date for the Activities tied to the change.
If any of these situations occur and this option is not selected then the total of the Time Phased Hours may not equal the Engineering Account
Total Hours.
The Put Negative Data In Start Period option is used to place negative Hours into the start period. For instance, if the total Estimate at
Completion Hours is 500 and the total of Actual Hours is 600 through last period, the Actual/ETC Hours for the current Period is calculated to
be -100.
The Approved and Control Budget Quantities and Hours can be spread on a Progress Account using the Spread Budgets icon. This is useful
when you are making changes to a single Progress Account.
Note that this calculation does not affect the Baseline Budget. It is only used to spread the Approved Budget.
The Estimate to Complete and the Earned Value Quantities and Hours can also be spread using the Spread ETC/Earned icon.
2) For each type of data check the Spread Data checkbox and then click the Start Period pick list and select a Start Period, which is the
beginning period from which the hours are spread.
a. Baseline Budget
b. Approved Budget
c. Control Budget
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d. Earned Value
e. Actual/ETC
3) Check the Put Unspreadable Data in Start Period checkbox, if necessary.
4) Check the Put Negative Data in Start Period checkbox, if necessary.
5) Check the Replace Existing Curves checkbox, if necessary.
6) Click the Default Curve ID drop-down and select a Curve ID.
7) Apply a Filter, if necessary.
8) Click OK.
Warning: If any Control Accounts in the Cost Management package are utilizing the CPA Percent Complete Method, then, in order
to calculate progress in the Cost Management package, the Reporting Periods in each package must be set to the same period.
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You should always Archive the PRISM database prior to closing out the Reporting Period.
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When a Reporting Period is closed, PRISM performs a system-defined process for calculating and verifying data. In an effort to expedite the
process and calculations, a User can choose if and when the data is calculated and if the data is verified during Period closeout.
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Warning that modifying the standard process when Closing Out a Reporting Period can speed up the process, but should be used
with extreme caution.
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7) For any of the following data types, click the Allow Manual Entry drop-down and select one of the following options for Baseline
Budget Data, Approved Budget Data, and Control Budget data. This also enables the manual entry of Schedule Dates and Distribution
Curves.
a. None – this setting does not allow manual Budget Data, Schedule Dates, and Baseline Budget Distribution Curves to be directly
entered to Progress Accounts. This means Budget data can only be entered using the Field Management Changes data pane.
Schedule Dates can only be entered by updating dates in the Schedule Interface tab and using the Spread Time Phased Data
calculation to transfer the dates to Progress Accounts. This approach ensures that an audit trail of budget changes relative to the
baseline estimate is maintained. Note that this is the default setting.
b. Future Time Phased Data – this setting allows Budget Data to be manually entered in the Progress Accounts-Time Phased Data
subpane. The Baseline Quantities and Hours columns are enabled for Reporting Periods that are equal to or greater than the
Current Period.
c. Totals And Future Time Phased – this setting allows Budget Data to be manually entered in the Progress Accounts Totals group
box and the Progress Accounts-Time Phased Data subpane. Budget Hours can be entered for all Reporting Periods that are equal
to or greater than the Current Period.
d. All Time Phased – this setting allows Budget Data to be manually entered for all of the project’s Reporting Periods in the
Progress Accounts-Time Phased Data subpane.
e. Totals And All Time Phased – this setting allows Budget Data to be manually entered in the Progress Accounts Totals group box
and the Progress Accounts-Time Phased Data subpane. Budget Data can be manually entered for all of the Field Management
project's Reporting Periods.
Note that the Baseline Source drop-down in the Progress Accounts data pane must also be set to Manual to manually enter
data to a Progress Account. Note that Baseline Schedule Dates and Baseline Budget Distribution Curves can be manually entered
in the Progress Accounts data pane for all of the settings listed above with the exception of None. This option should be
disabled if you do not want to inadvertently modify the Baseline Budget data.
8) Check the Progress Accounts - Allow Manual Entry of Previous Data checkbox if you need to overwrite the system calculated values
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found on the Progress Accounts data pane; Previous EAC, and Previous Percent Complete. PRISM will always calculate these fields
when the Reporting Period is closed. If this checkbox is disabled then the fields are read-only.
9) Define the Default Control Element IDs for Progress Accounts by selecting a Quantity Element ID, an Hours Element ID, and a Cost
Element ID From Quantity, and a Cost Element ID From Hours. Click the Control Element ID drop-down and select a Control Element
ID.
a. When Progress Accounts are created, the Default Control Element IDs are initially assigned to each Progress Account based on
these selections.
b. You can re-assign any Control Element to the Progress Account in the Progress Accounts-Cost Rates subpane.
10) Check the Progress Items - Allow Manual Entry of Baseline Budget Data checkbox to enter the Baseline Budget Quantities and Hours,
and Baseline Schedule Dates directly to Progress Items.
a. This option should be disabled if you do not want to inadvertently modify the Baseline Budget data.
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11) Check the Progress Items - Allow Manual Entry of Approved Budget Data checkbox to enter the Approved Budget Quantities and
Hours.
a. This option should be disabled if you do not want to inadvertently modify the Approved Budget data. The Field Management
Changes are then used to affect the Approved Budget. This approach ensures that an audit trail of approved changes relative to
the baseline estimate is maintained.
12) Check the Progress Items - Allow Manual Entry of Control Budget Data checkbox to enter the Control Budget Quantities and Hours.
a. This option should be disabled if you do not want to inadvertently modify the Control Budget data. The Field Management
Changes are then used to affect the Control Budget. This approach ensures that an audit trail of approved changes relative to the
baseline estimate is maintained.
13) Check the Progress Items - Allow Manual Entry of Previous Data checkbox if you need to overwrite the system calculated values
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found on the Progress Items data pane; Previous EAC, and Previous Percent Complete. PRISM will always calculate these fields
when the Reporting Period is closed. If this checkbox is disabled then the fields are read-only.
14) Click in each of the Performance Thresholds boxes and enter the Variance Percent and the Performance Index values for both Hours
and Schedule.
a. These are used to generate a Stop Light effect in the Engineering Accounts-Performance subpane. This affect highlights
performance data that exceeds these thresholds. The Warning value is used as a first indication of a performance problem and
variances exceeding the defined thresholds are highlighted in Yellow in the Performance subpane. The Alarm value is a higher,
more stringent value and variances that exceed these values are highlighted in Red.
b. By default, the Schedule and Hour Performance Index are set to 1.00 for Warning and 0.80 for Alarm. The Schedule and Hours
Variance Percent are set to 0% for Warning and 10% for Alarm.
c. Click OK to save the changes or click Cancel to cancel any changes.
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Define
The Define tab is where definitions and standards for the project are defined. This includes Common commands that are used in every
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PRISM package, as well as define commands that are specific to each package.
Enterprise definitions, developed in the Enterprise tab, allow you to create enterprise-wide standards and definitions. When necessary,
enterprise definitions can be supplemented or abandoned altogether, by using project-specific definitions.
Shared (Define)
The Shared ribbon group on the Define tab is where commands are found to define standards and definitions for a project. These definitions
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are available for use no matter which PRISM package is enabled.
Reporting Periods
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All project activities are periodically tracked, monitored, and measured in PRISM from the start of the project to its completion.
Performance measurement typically occurs at least once a month and on some projects weekly. Each project must be assigned Reporting
Periods, which are generally based on the company's financial calendar.
The Reporting Periods should range from the project's start date to a number of months past the project's planned completion date. Although
you can expand the number of Reporting Periods at a later date, it makes sense to define a finish date with plenty of contingency.
Enterprise Periods (on page 264) are established in order to generate enterprise reports. This requires that each Reporting Period is
cross-referenced to an Enterprise Period, which could be developed very different from the project's Reporting Periods.
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The easiest way to create Reporting Periods is to let PRISM calculate them. The Enterprise Periods are also assigned to the Reporting
Periods.
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In order to create Reporting Periods, PRISM requires some specific information in order to perform the calculation:
Base Date - the first day of the first reporting period.
Periods - the number of periods in the project.
Duration - the length of each period:
1 week, 2 weeks, 4 weeks, 4-4-5 weeks
1 month, 2 months, 3 months
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Calendar - used for calculating Full-time Equivalent (FTE) Hours for project reports.
Hours per Day - the average number of hours worked each work day; the default is 8 hours.
Non Work Days - the days of the week that are always non work days; the default is Saturday and Sunday.
Non Work Dates - specific dates each month, other than the standard Non Work Days, that are Non Work Dates.
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Once the calculation is performed, the Reporting Periods are created along with the following information for each period:
Start Date - first start date is the Base Date, subsequent start dates are the day after each period's finish date.
Finish Date - finish dates are calculated based on the selected Duration.
Period Title - as an example, Jan '11.
Enterprise Period - cross referenced to each Reporting Period.
This cross-referencing allows time phased data from several projects to be displayed in Enterprise Reports using a common time
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phasing structure based on Enterprise Periods. PRISM assigns an Enterprise Period to a Reporting Period by determining the
Enterprise Period that contains the largest number of days in the Reporting Period. Depending on the duration used for Reporting
Periods, it is possible that one Enterprise Period could be cross-referenced to multiple Reporting Periods. As an example, if the
Enterprise Periods are defined as monthly periods and a project's Reporting Periods are defined as weekly, then you would see four or
five Reporting Periods being cross-referenced to one Enterprise Period.
FTE Hours - full-time equivalent hours for each period equals the period's Work Days multiplied by the Hours per Day.
FTEs or Full-time Equivalents is a term used to describe an equivalent number of full-time people working on projects. FTEs are only
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calculated in certain reports and graphs in PRISM by dividing hours in an Enterprise Period by the Enterprise Period's FTE hours. For
instance, if the planned hours were 2000 and the actual hours were 2400 for the period and the Reporting Period FTE hours are 200,
meaning one full-time person would work 200 hours in that period then the following calculations would be made to determine the
FTEs.
Planned FTEs = 2000 hours / 200 FTE hours = 10.0 FTEs
Actual FTEs = 2400 hours / 200 FTE hours = 12.0 FTEs
Some companies determine FTE hours based on 2080 hours per year which is based on 8 hours per day, 5 day per week, 52 weeks per
year. Other companies take into account holidays and remove holiday hours from each period. Still other companies take into
account an average number of vacation days and sick days taken by employees and reduce FTE hours in each period. The reduction of
FTE hours in months like December, where people tend to take extended vacation days, may be reduced more than other periods
where vacation time is seldom used.
Once FTE Hours are calculated they can be manually modified for any Enterprise Period to account for conditions that were unknown
when the Enterprise Periods were first calculated. However, these manually entered FTE Hours are overwritten if the Enterprise
Periods are recalculated.
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6) Click the Calculate Periods icon. The Start Dates, Finish Dates, Period Titles, Enterprise Periods, and calendar-specific FTE Hours are
automatically generated for the Number of Periods defined. You can change the Period Titles or the FTE Hours, if necessary.
Note that if a Base Calendar is not defined, then FTE Hours are calculated using 8 hours per day, five days per week, with
Saturday and Sunday being non work days.
After Reporting Periods are defined, you can lock a range of Periods so that they are not inadvertently recalculated. For instance, if you
wanted to add more periods but you planned on using a different Duration Type, by locking the previously defined Reporting Periods, these
periods will not be affected by the new calculation.
Note that as Reporting Periods are closed, the previous Reporting Periods are automatically locked and cannot be unlocked.
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This process will also allow you to assign two or more sets of durations when generating Reporting Periods. For instance, a project may be
planned for monthly progressing for the first six months and then weekly progressing for the remainder of the project. Or, sometimes a
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long-term project is entered into PRISM after it has been running for a while but instead of creating a period for each historical month they
might be combined into one historical period or possibly a period for each historical year. The remaining periods (future periods) would then
be setup to months. When adding additional Reporting Periods, you can assign a different duration than what was used for calculating the
previous periods.
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PRISM provides two columns in the Reporting Periods form for Combined Periods, which allows you to create two separate ways in which to
combine periods of data in Project Reports. You can enter a Combined Label for each column to describe the Combined Periods. For instance,
you might combine time phased data into Quarters, thus you would label the Combined Periods as such. When generating time phased
reports or graphs, you will find a selection in the Report Specification form to show time phased data by Periods or by either of the Combined
Periods.
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Escalations (on page 631) can affect cost data by multiplying the Baseline Budget, Approved Budget, Control Budget, Financial Budget, or
Estimate to Complete costs by an Escalation Percentage. In addition, Labor Rates of Employees (on page 261) and Categories (see "Enterprise
Categories" on page 275) are multiplied by the hours applied in the Staffing Plan or Schedule Resources by Multipliers (on page 287) to
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generate cost data. Escalation Percentages, Labor Rates and Multiplier Rates can change over time. PRISM allows you to define the
Reporting Periods or Enterprise Periods (on page 264) where you expect to enter escalation and rate changes.
Control Elements
Control Elements are used to categorize the types of Cost, Hours, and Quantities that are tracked on a project. Control Elements are
sub-elements of Control Accounts and Budget Details. Most projects track multiple elements of Cost such as labor, materials, equipment, and
subcontracts. On a few occasions, projects track more than one type of hours. For instance, contractor hours and owner hours can be tracked
separately on an individual Control Account. On rare occasions, a project can track multiple types of Quantities. As an example, a Control
Account may be used to separately track quantities for lineal feet of pipe and cubic yards of concrete.
In order to generate Enterprise reports with details down to the Control Element level, you will need to create Enterprise Elements (on page
268) and cross-reference them to the project's Control Elements. If the Control Elements for your project are a one-to-one match with the
Enterprise Elements, you can then transfer the Enterprise Elements. This essentially copies every Enterprise Element to the Control Elements
data pane and automatically cross-references each Control Element to the corresponding Enterprise Element.
The Control Element ID is used to sort Control Elements on reports based on the alphanumeric values. You can control the sort order of
Control Elements by entering an alphanumeric value in the Sort Code field.
The Commitments (on page 345) field, if enabled, allows Commitments entered in the Commitments data pane to be used to calculate the
Commitment to Date values in the Control Accounts data pane and associated subpanes. If disabled, the Actual to Date values are used to
populate the Commitment to Date. Typically, Control Elements for labor cost and hours are left unchecked.
The Cash Flow field, if enabled, can be assigned to Cost Elements to define the amount of money needed on hand for each Reporting Period.
This payment structure is used for calculating the movement of money and payments that will be paid typically to Contractors.
Rate Element IDs are assigned to a Control Element to define a rate structure for calculating Actual and Estimate to Complete rates on Control
Accounts, and for calculating cost rates on Budget Details.
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The Baseline Budget, Approved Budget, Control Budget, Financial Budget, or Estimate to Complete cost values can be escalated for any Cost
Element as long as an Escalation ID (see "Escalations" on page 631) is assigned to a Cost Element.
9) Click in the Sort Code cell and enter a Sort Code to modify the way Control Elements are sorted in reports and on forms.
10) Click in the Rate Element ID drop-down and select a Rate Element.
11) Click the Enterprise Element ID drop-down and select an Enterprise Element to cross-reference the Control Element to an Enterprise
Element.
12) Click the Escalation ID drop-down and select an Escalation ID (see "Escalations" on page 631). Escalation IDs can only be applied to
Cost Elements.
Note that this drop-down is only displayed if the Escalation option in the Cost Management Settings form is enabled.
Currencies
The Currencies data pane is where the list of Currencies for the project is maintained. In addition, the current Exchange Rates for each
Enterprise Currency are entered. There are three exchange rates; Budget, Actual, and Estimate to Complete. If Enterprise Currencies are
maintained, specific Enterprise Currencies can be selected and copied to the project. Similarly, the Enterprise Exchange Rates can be copied to
the project's Currencies.
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The exchange rate for Actual costs may change several times during the course of a project. PRISM allows you to adjust the Actual exchange
rate every reporting period. Once the reporting period is closed, the Actual exchange rate is copied to the Actuals Exchange Rate History
subpane.
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A Base Currency for the project must be established in the Project Settings (on page 202). The Exchange Rate for this currency is defined as
one-to-one. All other currencies are defined as a ratio of the Base Currency over the Foreign Currency.
The following example describes how the currency exchange rates are defined and how they convert costs from one currency to another. A
Base Currency is set for the project, as an example this would be USD for United States Dollars. The Exchange Rate defined for this currency
would be 1.00.
Another currency is added, in this example the Mexican Peso. Its exchange rate is set to 0.20 US Dollar to every Peso. The inverse is
automatically generated, as 5.00 Peso to every US Dollar.
Therefore, if 10,000 US Dollars are entered, and then converted to Pesos in a report, the costs are calculated as:
10,000 USD x 5.00 PESO/USD = 50,000 PESO
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Alternatively, if the 10,000 Pesos are entered, and then converted to US Dollars in a report, the cost are calculated as:
10,000 PESO x 0.20 USD/PESO = 2000 USD
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As an example, if the data is being spread over 20 months, then the segments are equally spread into 10 - two-month periods. The table
below shows how costs are segmented based on the weighting defined in the TPD Curve. If each segment is two months long, then each
monthly period would receive half of the amount shown in the Cost Spread column.
1 3 2.5 1250
2 4 3.3 1650
3 6 5.0 2500
4 7 5.8 2900
5 13 10.8 5400
6 17 14.2 7100
7 25 20.8 10,500
8 22 18.3 9150
9 13 10.8 5400
10 10 8.3 4150
Total 120 100 50,000
TPD Curves are assigned to Control Accounts, Engineering Accounts, or Progress Accounts. A different distribution curve can be assigned to
the Baseline Budget, Approved Budget, Control Budget, and the Estimate to Complete. Total Budgets and total Estimate to Complete values
are spread across time using algorithms associated with the TPD Curve selected.
TPD Curves can be entered at the Enterprise level, allowing multiple projects to use the same curves. Alternatively, project TPD Curves can be
created specifically for a project.
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Change Status
The Change Status form is used to define a selection of Change Status codes and how each status impacts a Control Account, Engineering
Account, or Progress Account's Approved Budget, Control Budget, Financial Budget, or Estimate at Completion when the Accounts are
calculated. It affects the Approved Budget and Pending Values on Engineering Documents and Progress Items. It also affects the Approved and
Pending Hours and Cost on Purchase Orders, Contracts, and Prime Contracts.
For instance, a Change Status of Submitted can be set to affect neither the budget nor the forecast. This is because the client has not given
any formal notice to proceed with the Change. A Change Status of Pending can be set to affect an Engineering Document to indicate the hours
are pending. A Change Status of Notice to Proceed can be set to affect the forecast because it is not formally approved but the client has given
permission to start the work. Finally, a Change Status of Approved can be set to affect both the budget and forecast because it has been
formally approved by the client.
Change Status codes can be developed at the Enterprise level in order to create a standard list used by all projects. An individual Project can
use those codes, create their own set of Project-specific Change Status codes, or use a combination of Enterprise and Project-specific codes.
Change Status codes are used in the Cost Management package to status Budget/EAC Changes which affect Control Accounts. They are used
in the Engineering package to status Engineering Changes which affect Engineering Accounts and Engineering Documents. They are used in
the Field Management package to status Field Management Changes which affect Progress Accounts and Progress Items; and in the
Procurement package to status Line Item Changes, which affect Purchase Orders and in the Contracts and Prime Contracts packages to status
Pay Item Changes, which affect Contracts and Prime Contracts.
7) Click in the Remarks cell and enter any additional Information about the Change Status.
Note that the Advanced Change Management option in Project Settings (on page 202) must be enabled for the Change Impact
data pane to be visible.
Categories
The Categories data pane is used to define a list of labor or non-labor categories, which define Labor Rates and Multipliers for calculating cost
data based on hours entered through the Staffing Plans (see "Staffing Plans (Cost Management)" on page 353) feature or from Schedule
Resources (on page 392). Each Category is assigned to a Category Type, either Labor, Other Direct Cost, Subcontracts, or Fees - the last three
are for non-labor categories. Once Indirect Costs (on page 285) and Multipliers (on page 287) are defined, then each Category in a project is
assigned a Multiplier ID, which determines how labor costs are calculated on Cost Plus contracts and how non-labor costs can have Multipliers
added, regardless of the Labor Rate Type assigned to Control Accounts.
Enterprise Categories can be entered to create a standard list of Categories for the Enterprise. The Enterprise Categories can be copied to the
Project's Categories. This is useful if a standard set of Categories are frequently used on projects. However, a completely different set of
Categories can be entered if the Enterprise Categories do not make sense. Labor Rates and Multipliers are assigned specifically to each
project.
To Enter Categories:
1) Select Define > Shared > Categories.
2) If you want to create a list of Categories that are the same as those created in the Enterprise Categories data pane, click the Copy
Enterprise Categories icon on the navigation toolbar. Once the list is copied, you can add, delete, or modify Category records.
3) Use Steps 2 through 6 described above to add new Categories.
4) Click the Multiplier ID drop-down and select a Multiplier ID.
a. This is only necessary if Control Accounts' Labor Rate Type is set to Cost Plus and Staffing Plans (on page 354) or, if Schedule
Resources (see "Resource Assignments (Schedule Activities)" on page 390) are used as the source of hours to calculate costs on
Control Accounts for Non-labor Categories.
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b. Determines the Indirect Cost Multiplier calculation used to calculate extended costs.
Employees (Categories)
The Categories-Employees subpane is a read-only pane that indicates every Employee that is assigned to a Labor Category, whether that
assignment is made at the Enterprise level or the Project level.
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4) Click the Add Record icon, select one or more Enterprise Periods or Reporting Periods, and click OK.
a. If the Allow Rate Changes option is enabled on various periods in the Enterprise Periods (on page 264) or Reporting Periods (on
page 593) data pane, then only those selected periods are available in the Add Records form.
Note that It is important to select the first Enterprise Period or Reporting Period so that cost data can be calculated from
the first period forward.
5) For each Reporting Period added, click in the Bare Rate cell and enter the Categories Bare Rate, if Cost Plus Rate Types are to be
used.
6) For each Reporting Period added, click in the Time and Material Rate cell and enter the Categories Time and Material Rate, if Time
and Material Rate Types are to be used.
a. If alternative Time and Materials Rate Labels are entered in the Enterprise Settings (on page 304) form, then click in each of the
alternative Time and Material Rate cells and enter the Categories Time and Material Rate.
Agreement Types
Agreement Types are used to combine various Attachments into a single set of Attachments. Agreement Types provide an easy way to assign
several Attachments to a Purchase Requisition, Purchase Order, Contract or Prime Contract. For example, no matter what type of Electrical
equipment is assigned to a Purchase Order, a standard set of Attachments for electrical equipment Purchase Orders can be created.
Whenever an electrical equipment Purchase Order is generated this set of Attachments is assigned to that Purchase Order. Some examples of
Agreement Types are as follows:
Bulk Materials Mechanical Fabrication Purchase Orders Electrical Contracts
Pump Purchase Orders Civil Contracts Mechanical Contracts
An Agreement Type can be associated with either Purchase Requisitions, Purchase Orders, Contracts, Prime Contracts, or they can be
associated with all three by assigning a Data Type to the Agreement Type. Depending on the Data Type assigned, this will determine if the
Agreement Type is available to be assigned to any or all three Master Records (Purchase Requisitions, Purchase Orders, or Contracts).
Agreement Types can be defined at the Enterprise level in order to create a standard list of Agreements used by all projects. An individual
project can use these Agreements, or create their own set of Project-specific Agreements, or use a combination of Enterprise and
Project-specific Agreements.
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Attachments
A standard list of boiler plate documents to include with Purchase Requisitions, Purchase Orders, and Contracts are defined in the
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Attachments form. Each Attachment defined in PRISM is linked to a document stored on the company's computer network.
Attachments are combined as a set of documents by including them in one or more Agreement Types. Agreement Types are then assigned to
Purchase Requisitions, Requests for Quotation, Purchase Orders, Requests for Proposal, or Contracts.
Whenever a Purchase Requisition, Request for Quotation, Purchase Order, Request for Proposal, or Contract is printed, the linked or attached
documents are also printed.
Attachments can be defined at the Enterprise level in order to create a standard list of Attachments used by all projects. An individual project
can use these Attachments, or create its own set of Project-specific Attachments, or use a combination of Enterprise and Project-specific
Attachments.
To Create Attachments:
1) For Enterprise Attachments, select Enterprise > Shared > Attachments. For Project Attachments, select Define > Shared >
Attachments.
2) Click the Add Record icon.
3) Click in the Attachment ID cell and enter an Attachment ID.
4) Click in the Description cell and enter an Attachment Description.
5) Click the Document Type ID drop-down and select a Document Type ID.
6) Click the Attachment File browse icon and select the File and File Location of the Attachment document found on the company's
Network.
7) To sort these records differently than the alphanumeric sort order of the Attachment ID, click in the Sort Code cell and enter a Sort
Code.
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Codes (Define)
The Codes ribbon group on the Define tab is where commands are found to define the Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) and Groups. These
codes are assigned to records and are important when generating reports, allowing you to group, sort, summarize, and filter data.
1 Plant 1
101 Area 01
10101 Structural
10102 Mechanical
102 Area 02
10201 Structural
10202 Mechanical
103 General Requirements
10300 General Requirements
When defining the WBS, it is critical that each branch is defined to the lowest level of the WBS. For example, in the case above, WBS Element
103 only goes down the second level. However, as you can see a third level is added by zero-filling the ID. In this case the lowest level is
entered as 10300. This is important because often times the WBS coding is included as a portion of a Master Record ID. In this case, the
structure of the Master Record ID will require five digits. If only a level two WBS is used then there are two digits in the Master Record ID
which would be blank. This can cause entry and import errors. Therefore, by zero-filling the remaining portion of any branch of the WBS, you
ensure that no blank digits are applied to a Master Record ID.
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Note that any WBS branch that is not defined to the lowest level of the WBS cannot be assigned to a Master Record. It will not
show up in the WBS ID drop-down in the Master Table's data pane.
If the WBS coding is included as part of a Master Record's ID structure, there is a feature that allows you to mask the WBS any Master Record.
This feature is similar to the masking applied to Groups.
You must have Run Process permissions to the project to add, delete, or modify a WBS Title and assign its Length. You can add, delete, or
modify the WBS Elements based on the assigned permissions.
4) The Masking Position row indicates 30 positions, the maximum number of digits of a Master Record ID. Click each Masking Position
button to assign that position or the Master Record ID as part of the masking. As a Masking Position is selected it is highlighted and
the Masking Position Number is automatically entered in the first available Mask Values box.
a. Multiple ranges of digits can be masked.
b. A single masked position can be removed by clicking a highlighted Source Position button.
5) Click the Clear Mask button to remove the current masking.
6) Click in the Example Source ID box, enter an example Master Record ID that is representative of the Master Record IDs to be entered,
and press ENTER. The masked portion of this example is automatically displayed in the Group ID Generated box. This is an aid to help
you understand which portion of the Master Record ID is being masked.
7) Click OK. Notice that the Mask box indicates the positions that are masked.
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Groups
Groups is a feature which is used to categorize the Master Records. You can define up to 26 Groups and each group contains a list of Group
IDs and corresponding Descriptions. Once created, Group IDs are available for use on all projects. Group IDs are then assigned to Master
Records in a project, thus providing a means to group, sort, summarize, and filter data in reports, forms, and panes.
A Group is created by entering a Group Title that describes the type of data contained in the Group. Some typical examples of Groups Titles
include:
Organization Breakdown Structure (OBS) coding
Work Package / Planning Package coding
Phase of work
Cost Account Manager (CAM)
Code of Accounts
Construction Specification Institute (CSI) coding
Each Group is then populated with a list of Group IDs and a corresponding Description. The Group ID may be somewhat non-descriptive,
therefore, the description provides greater context to the Group ID.
Once Group IDs are defined, they are available to be assigned to any Master Record in a project. Each Master Record data pane has a Groups
subpane where these assignments are made. When a Group Title is created, Masking can be applied to a Group, which causes the associated
Group IDs to be automatically assigned to each Master Record based on the Master Record's ID. If Masking is not applied then a Group ID
must be manually assigned to a Master Record in the Groups subpane.
Once Groups are assigned, reports can be generated utilizing Group IDs in various options in order to customize the reports.
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You must have Run Process permissions to the project to add, delete, or modify a Group Title and its associated options. You can add, delete,
or modify the Group IDs and Descriptions based on the assigned permissions.
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Step 1:
Create a Group by entering a Group Title. In the example, Group A is created by adding
the title Cost Manager.
Step 2:
Create a list of Group IDs and Descriptions for the Group. In the example, Group A is
populated with the Initials and Names of every Cost Manager.
Step 3:
On a Master Record for each Group, assign a Group ID from the list of codes. In the
example, for Group A in the account AAA-11-2, the Cost Manager, Tom Kincade, is
assigned.
Step 4:
Use Groups to sort, group, summarize, and filter data in reports, forms, and panes. In
the example, the report displays Control Accounts which are grouped using Group A,
Cost Managers. Account AAA-11-2 is located under the Cost Manager Tom Kincade.
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Step 1:
Create a Group by entering a Group Title. In the example, Group B is created by
adding the title Work Package.
Step 2:
Apply masking to the Group based on the structure of the Master Record's ID. In
the example, the Control Account is eight digits long and masking is applied to
digits 5 through 8. For account AAA-11-2 the corresponding masked value is 11-2.
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Step 3:
Create a list of Group IDs and Descriptions for the Group. In the example, Group B
is populated with Work Package identification numbers and a corresponding Work
Package title.
Step 4:
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Add a Master Record. PRISM automatically assigns the masked portion of the
record’s ID to the record’s corresponding group. In the example, account
AAA-11-2 is added, the masked area (digits 5-8) indicates 11-2. This value is
automatically assigned to the Control Account’s Work Package group.
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In addition, PRISM reviews the Group to locate a matching Group Code. If one is
found the Control Account’s Group Description is populated. In the example, 11-2
is found in Group B and the description Office Mechanical is automatically
assigned to Control Account AAA-11-2.
Step 5:
Use Groups to sort, group, summarize, and filter data in reports, forms, and
panes. In the example, the report displays Control Accounts which are grouped
using Group B, Work Packages. Account AAA-11-2 is located under the Work
Package 11-2.
Any Group can be defined as a Default group, which means the Group is available to every Master Table. A Default group is defined by
selecting the Default tab and entering the Group Title. In some cases you may want every Master Table to use the same Group data, except
for one. For the exception, you can override the Default group by selecting any Master Table tab and entering a Group Title. For instance, you
may have a Group that is used for both Control Accounts and Budget Details, and a different group for Activities. The first two can be set up as
a Default group and the last as an override of the Default group.
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When Masking is assigned to a Group, by default the Persistent checkbox is enabled in the Group form. This means the Group ID that is
automatically assigned to a Master Record cannot be modified. If, however, the Persistent checkbox is disabled, then a Group ID assigned to a
Master Record can be replaced with a different Group ID, similar to unmasked Groups.
The description of each Group ID can be used to create the description for each Master Record. In order to make this happen the For Account
Description checkbox in the Groups form must be checked for each Group that will be used to build the Description. The sort order of the
Group determines the order in which the Description is built. As Group IDs are assigned to a Master Record, a cross-reference is made to
corresponding Group Descriptions, which in turn, are used to generate the Master Record descriptions.
Note that the Master Record's Description is built automatically when a new Master Record is added. However, if Group IDs are
assigned to a Master Record after the record is added, the Master Record's Description will not be automatically generated. You
must use the Build Description (see "Build Descriptions" on page 694) utility to rebuild the descriptions.
As an example, two Groups are used to build descriptions, Group A: WBS and Group C: Contractor. A Control Account is assigned
to WBS - 123 and Contractor - Smith. The Group Code Description for WBS 123 is Office Building Electrical and for Contractor
Smith is Smith Incorporated. When the Build Description utility is run, the Control Account's Description is built using these two
Groups with a hyphen between the descriptions; Office Building Electrical - Smith Incorporated.
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b.
The Master Record descriptions are automatically applied when Master Records are entered. However, if unmasked Groups are
used as part of the Master Record description, the Build Descriptions (on page 694) utility will need to be run once the Group
Codes are assigned to the Master Records.
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9) The User-defined Field Header cell is only used when customized programming is added to PRISM . Do not enter data in this cell.
Masking
Masking is a process of identifying the positions of a Master Record's ID that will be used to populate a Group ID. For instance, if the structure
of the Master Record IDs is 10 characters total, you can select any or all of those character positions. If you choose positions 5, 6, and 7, then
when a Master Record is created, the values in the fifth through seventh position of that record ID will be automatically assigned as the Group
ID. If the Master Record ID entered is 123-ABC-XX then the Group ID assigned to the Master Record is ABC. Note that the dashes are
considered characters and take up a position.
Masking does not have to be a continuous range. For instance, you could choose positions 5,6,7,9,10 and the Group ID assigned would be
456XX, if the Master Record ID entered is 123-456-XX.
Constant values can also be assigned. You could choose positions 5,6, and 7 and then add a constant value of 00 at the end. The Group ID
assigned would be 45600, if the Master Record ID entered is 123-456-XX.
By default, the Master Record ID is the ID being masked. For instance, if you open the Groups data pane and select the Control Accounts tab,
the masking is being applied to the Control Account ID. However, you can choose to change the Source Field so that the masking is being
applied to any Group ID.
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A good example of how this might be useful is when hierarchal Group IDs are to be assigned to Control Accounts. For instance, if you have an
alternative WBS that has two levels, you could define two Groups; Alt WBS Level 1 (which is 2 characters long) and Alt WBS Level 2 (which is 4
characters long). The Alt WBS Level 2 is a Group that does not use Masking. The Alt WBS Level 1 does use Masking and a different Field Source
is selected, in this case Alt WBS Level 2. Masking is applied at the first and second position.
When a Control Account is created, the Alt WBS Level 2 is manually assigned in the Control Accounts-Group subpane. If the Group ID assigned
is 1234 then the Alt WBS Level 1 Group ID of 12 is automatically assigned based on the masking applied to Alt WBS Level 2.
To Apply Masking:
1) Select Define > Codes > Groups.
2) Click one of the Master Table tabs.
3) Select a Group Title.
4) Click in the Mask cell.
5) By default, the Master Record ID is selected as the Source Field. To change the Source Field, click the Source Field drop-down and
select a different Source Field ID.
6) The Masking Positions row indicates 30 positions, the maximum number of digits of a Master Record ID. Click each Masking Position
button to assign that position of the Master Record ID as part of the masking. As a Masking Position is selected it is highlighted and
the Masking Position Number is automatically entered in the first available Mask/Constant Values box.
a. Multiple ranges of digits can be masked.
b. A single masked position can be removed by clicking a highlighted Source Position button.
7) Check a Constant checkbox under a Mask/Constant Values box where you want to enter a constant value. The Mask/Constant Values
box is enabled. Click in the Mask/Constant Values box and enter a single character Constant Value.
a. Additional constant values can be added, as necessary.
b. Constant values can be added prior to, in front of, in between, or after masked positions.
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8) If you need to remove the current masking, click the Clear Mask button.
9) Click in the Example Source ID box, enter an example Master Record ID that is representative of the Master Record IDs to be entered,
and press ENTER. The masked portion of this example is automatically displayed in the Group ID Generated box. This is an aid to help
you understand which portion of the Master Record ID is being masked.
Note that if the Source Field is set to a different ID, then the example ID entered will be representative of that field.
10) Click OK. The Masking form closes and the masking positions and constants are displayed in the Mask cell. Positions are indicated by
the position selected. A range of positions is indicated by the first and last digit in the range separated by a hyphen. Discontinuous
ranges are separated by commas. Constant values are displayed with quotes on either side of a constant value or a range of constant
values. As an example, if digits one through three are masked, as well as digit 8, with the constant values of XX at the end, then the
code displayed is 1-3,8,"XX".
Groups Subpanes
Once Groups and Group IDs are defined, they are available to be assigned to Master Records. There are a maximum of 35 Groups, which
includes the 9 Enterprise Groups and 26 Groups from the project. Every Master Table includes a Groups subpane which displays the Group
Titles assigned to that Master Table. The Enterprise Group Titles are displayed first, followed by the Groups specific to the project.
Next to the Group Title is a box that displays the Group ID assigned to the Master Record. The Group ID of masked Groups is automatically
assigned based on Masking (on page 619). For unmasked Groups, including every Enterprise Group, the box includes a drop-down. When a
Master Record is created, the drop-down is blank, requiring you to manually assign a Group ID. The exception to this is if an Initial Value was
assigned to a Group.
For each masked Group where the Persistent checkbox in the Groups form is disabled, the Group ID can be modified.
If the assigned Group ID has a matching value in the Groups form or Enterprise Groups form, then the Group Description is displayed next to
the Group ID.
When assigning a Group ID, if the ID you are looking for is not listed in the drop-down, you can add it directly into the drop-down box. Once
added you will be requested to enter a Group Description. This not only assigns the Group ID to the Master Record but it also adds the Group
ID and Description to the Group table at the same time.
Group IDs can be assigned globally to Master Records using the Build Group IDs (on page 693) utility.
The Validate Data (on page 701) utility can be used to identify Master Records where the assigned Group ID is invalid (does not match a
Group ID in the Group form) or where a Group ID has not been assigned in the Groups subpane.
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3) Click the Groups subpane tab. Notice for Masked Groups, the Group ID is automatically assigned based on the masking applied and
the Group Description is displayed next to the Group ID box.
4) For those Groups that you need to assign a Group ID, click the Group drop-down and select a Group ID. The Group Description is
automatically displayed next to the Group ID box. Masked Groups that are not set to be Persistent will have the Group ID assigned
but it can be changed using the drop-down, if necessary.
5) If a Group ID is not in the drop-down list, it can be added. Click in the Group ID box and enter a Group ID. When prompted, enter a
Group Description.
Cost (Define)
The Cost ribbon group on the Define tab is where commands are found to define standards and definitions for a project which are specific to
functions associated with the Cost Management package.
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3) Click in the Item cell and enter an Item Number. This is an alphanumeric field used to identify and sort Change Events in the list.
4) Click in the Event cell and enter a Change Event Title.
5) Check the Approval Required checkbox to identify the Change Event as requiring approvals.
6) Click in the Responsible Person cell and enter the Person Responsible for completing or approving the change.
Note that these fields can be left blank and then filled in the project's Change Event Template.
7) Click in the Remarks cell and enter any Additional Information necessary to explain the Change Event.
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Funding Sources
On some projects you may need to track funding, which is an amount of money made available to pay for the project's costs. Funding is
usually provided each fiscal or calendar year for a multi-year project. Generally, a project should not spend beyond its funding limit.
Therefore, tracking funding is an important process.
Two examples of funding include Capital Costs and Expenses Costs. Capital Costs funding is for a major acquisition that spans multiple years.
Expenses Costs funding is for operations and support work that is planned yearly.
Note that Funding is not the same as a projects budget. Funding is provided incrementally whereas the budget is the total
planned cost needed to complete the project.
Sometimes funding comes from more than one source. Using the Funding Sources data pane, you can define the various Funding Sources for
your project. The Enterprise Funding Sources data pane is used to define Funding Sources at the Enterprise-level, allowing multiple projects to
use the same Funding Sources. A project can use both Enterprise Funding Sources and Project-specific Funding Sources.
Important - the Funding Cost Element must be assigned to the Funding Account or the Funding reports will not display data as
expected.
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Indirect Costs
Indirect Costs are the types of costs that are added to Direct Costs, which are the Bare Labor and Non-labor costs of a project, to account for
the total cost to do the work. Indirect Costs can include Fringe Benefits such as medical benefits; Overhead such as office rental, General and
Administration for enterprise expenses such as finance or legal costs.
The Enterprise Indirect Costs and the Indirect Costs data panes are used to develop the equation as to how Multipliers are built up in order to
calculate a project's Indirect Costs. The actual Multipliers are applied to a project using the Multipliers (on page 287) data pane. The Indirect
Costs data pane is only used to develop a structure to which Multipliers can be applied. The indirect cost multipliers are then used to calculate
extended costs on Control Accounts where the labor hours or non-labor costs are identified in Staffing Plan (see "Plans" on page 354) or
Schedule Resources.
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Note that you only need to develop Enterprise Indirect Costs if the Indirect Costs are standardized across several projects.
Enterprise Indirect Costs must be copied to the project's Indirect Cost table.
An Indirect Cost record is created for each type of Indirect cost. A Calculation Basis is defined for each record. This is the equation, minus
Multipliers, that describes how the costs are calculated.
The following tables provide an example of how the Calculation Basis for Indirect Costs might be defined for Labor Costs and Non-labor Costs.
The Indirect ID is the user-defined ID for each Indirect Cost record. The calculation is the equation defined to calculate the costs. The
Calculation Basis is the representation of that equation as it is defined on the Indirect Costs data pane.
Bare Cost Hours (from Staffing Plans or Resources) x Bare Cost Rate (from Employees or Categories)
Fringe FR Bare Cost x Fringe Multiplier Direct
Overhead OH Bare Cost x Overhead Multiplier Direct
G&A G&A (Bare Costs + Fringe Costs + Overhead Costs) x G&A Multiplier Direct, FR, OH
Fee FEE (Bare Costs + Fringe Costs + Overhead Costs + G&A Costs) x Fee Multiplier Direct, FR, OH, G&A
In some cases, Indirect Costs are applied against the Hours worked as opposed to the Bare Cost or the calculated Indirect Costs. As in any
example, you can create an Indirect Cost that accounts for the cost of technology. You could develop an Indirect Cost record with a Calculation
Basis of Hours. When Multipliers are applied, instead of applying a factor, you are applying a Cost per Hour. For instance, you could have a
computer charge of $10/hour to account for the cost of computers and other computer-related technology.
When Indirect Costs are calculated, the cost is applied to each Control Account-Cost Element being affected. However, if you want certain
Indirect Cost to be placed in a separate Cost Element on the Control Accounts, you can define the Cost Element ID in the Indirect Costs data
pane. For instance, you may want to place the Fringe, Overhead, and G&A costs into a Cost Element called Indirects and the Fee into a
different Cost Element called Fee. This would allow you view your project in terms of Bare Costs, Total Costs, and Revenue. Of course, you
would need your financial system to provide you actuals split out in this manner.
Enterprise Indirect Costs are not used to calculate costs on a project. However, you can copy the Enterprise Indirect Cost
records to the project's Indirect Costs data pane.
Multipliers
Multipliers work in conjunction with the Calculation Basis developed in the Indirect Costs (on page 285) data pane to define the equations
used to calculate Indirect Costs on Control Accounts. This feature is used when Staffing Plan (see "Plans" on page 354) or Schedule Resources
(see "Resource Assignments (Schedule Activities)" on page 390) are used to derive the Labor hours or Non-labor bare costs.
The Enterprise Multipliers and Multipliers subpanes are used to define Multiplier records which determine how one or several Indirect Costs
are calculated. Multiplier records are assigned to one or more Categories (see "Enterprise Categories" on page 275). For instance, you may
have one Multiplier record that is assigned to Labor Categories and a different Multiplier record that is assigned to Non-labor Categories.
Note that you only need to develop Enterprise Multipliers if the Multipliers are standardized across several projects. Enterprise
Multipliers must be copied to the project's Multipliers table.
Indirect Cost Multipliers can change over the course of a project. You can forecast those changes by defining the Indirect Cost Multipliers by
Enterprise Periods (on page 264) or Reporting Periods (on page 593). Indirect Cost Multipliers would be defined in the Multipliers-Rates by
Reporting Period subpane for the first Reporting Period. Then, in a later Reporting Period, a new Indirect Cost Multiplier is defined as a
change to the Multiplier is anticipated. As an example, you plan to start with a Fringe multiplier of 1.40, however, in the third period, you
anticipate the multiplier to increase to 1.50, and then later reduce back to 1.40 in the sixth period.
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The following tables show how Indirect Cost Multipliers work with the Calculation Basis defined in Indirect Costs (on page 285) to define a
complete equation that is used calculate Indirect Costs. Notice that the Indirect Labor Cost calculations in the first table are slightly different
from the Indirect Non-labor Cost calculations. The Direct Costs are the Bare Labor Costs and Bare Non-labor Costs of the project.
Indirect Cost Multiplier Calculation Basis (from Indirect Costs) Indirect Labor Cost Calculations
Indirect Cost Multiplier Calculation Basis (from Indirect Costs) Indirect Non-labor Cost Calculations
However, as discussed earlier, Indirect Cost Multipliers are defined by Reporting Period. In the following example, the time phased direct
labor costs developed either from a Staffing Plan or Scheduled Resources, are extended using the same Indirect Cost Multipliers with the
exception that these Multipliers change from one period to another. The first table shows the Fringe and Overheads calculated on time
phased Bare Costs. Notice in the last period, the Bare Cost Rate changes for $50/hr to $60/hr. The multipliers are assigned on the first period
and, in the case of the Fringe multiplier, the Multiplier changes in later periods. The second table indicates how G&A and a Fee are calculated.
The G&A rate changes in the last period.
1 1.40 1.60 20 hrs x $50/hr = $1000 $1000 X 0.40 = $400 $1000 X 0.60 = $600
2 30 hrs x $50/hr = $1500 $1500 x 0.40 = $600 $1500 X 0.60 = $900
3 1.50 30 hrs x $50/hr = $1500 $1500 x 0.50 = $750 $1500 X 0.60 = $900
4 40 hrs x $50/hr = $2000 $2000 x 0.50 = $1000 $2000 X 0.60 = $1200
5 30 hrs x $50/hr = $1500 $1500 x 0.50 = $750 $1500 X 0.60 = $900
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6 1.40 50 hrs x $60/hr = $3000 $3000 x 0.40 = $1200 $3000 X 0.60 = $1200
TOTAL $10,500 $4700 $5700
To Define Multipliers:
1) For Enterprise Multipliers, select Enterprise > Cost > Multipliers. For Project Multipliers, select Define > Cost > Multipliers.
2) Click the Add Record icon.
3) Click in the Multiplier ID box and enter a Multiplier ID.
4) Click in the Description box and enter a Description or a long title that describes the Multiplier record.
5) In the Enterprise Multipliers-Rates by Enterprise Period subpane or the Multipliers-Rates By Reporting Period subpane, click the
Select Indirect ID icon on the navigation toolbar and select an Indirect Cost ID to assign Multipliers as well.
a. The Select Indirect ID drop-down also acts as a filter. If an Indirect ID is selected, then only the records with this ID are displayed
in the subpane.
b. If the Select Indirect ID drop-down is set to blank, all records added to the subpane are displayed.
6) Click the subpane's Add Record icon, select one or more Enterprise/Reporting Periods, and click OK.
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a. If the Allow Rate Changes option is enabled on various periods in the Enterprise Periods (on page 264) or the Reporting Periods
(on page 593) form, then only those selected periods are available in the Add Records form.
b. It is important to select the first Reporting Period so that cost data can be calculated from the first period forward.
7) For each record added, click in the Indirect Cost Multiplier cell and enter an Indirect Cost Multiplier.
a. The multiplier values must be equal to or greater than 1.00 unless the Indirect Cost record being used has its Calculation Basis
defined as Hours.
8) Repeat Steps 5 through 7 to add other Indirect IDs and define the Indirect Cost Multipliers by period.
Enterprise Multipliers are not used to calculate costs on a project. However, you can copy the Enterprise Multiplier records to the project's
Multipliers data pane. For instance, you might have a set of standard Multipliers that are used on government contracts and another set that
are used on commercial contracts that are maintained as Enterprise Multipliers. When you have a project that is going to use the government
multipliers, you would copy those particular Multipliers to the project's Multipliers data pane.
Escalations
The Baseline Budget, Approved Budget, Control Budget, Financial Budget, and Estimate to Complete costs can be escalated (see "Escalation"
on page 93) over the life of a project. Escalations records define the way Escalation Percentages are applied by Reporting Period. If escalation
is applied uniformly across the project, then you only need to create one Escalations record. However, you can create multiple Escalations
records to account for various escalation rate increases. For instance, you might need to escalate labor differently from materials.
You have a choice as to which Reporting Periods will have Escalation Percentages applied. The percentages are assigned to these Reporting
Periods in the Escalations-Percentages by Reporting Period subpane.
Once defined, the Escalations records are assigned to Cost Elements (see "Control Elements" on page 600). The escalation is then calculated
for each Cost Element using a compounding calculation.
Note that the Escalation Percentages feature is only displayed if the Escalation option in the Project Settings (on page 202) is
enabled.
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6) Click in each Percent cell and enter an Escalation Percentage. The percentage applied is compounded, therefore only the nominal
increase for each period should be entered. As an example, if the increase in March is 3.0% and the increase in June is 3.0%, then the
compounded escalation starting in June is calculated as (1.03 x 1.03) -1 = 6.09%.
Engineering (Define)
The Engineering ribbon group on the Define tab is where commands are found to define standards and definitions for a project which are
specific to functions associated with the Engineering Package.
Document Status
Document Status is used to categorize Engineering Documents based on their progress in the document generation and approval process.
They are useful in searching for documents using a filter and for grouping, sorting, and summarizing data in reports.
For example, the list of Document Status codes could include the following:
Checked
Approved
Issued
On Hold
Canceled
These status definitions are used as column header labels in the Document Status and Document Summary reports.
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3) Click in the Document Status ID cell and enter a Document Status ID.
4) Click in the Description box and enter a Document Status Description.
5) To sort these records differently than the alphanumeric sort of the Document Status ID, click in the Sort Code box and enter a Sort
Code.
Engineering Classes
The Engineering Classes definition is used to classify groups of Engineering Documents and Engineering Accounts that will utilize a common
set of progress Milestones. For instance, General Arrangement drawings will use one set of progress Milestones that are typically different
than those used for Isometric drawings, calculations, and/or specifications.
Each Engineering Class is assigned a template of progress Milestones. Each milestone represents a step in the development of an Engineering
Document or Engineering Account and is assigned a Percent Complete. When an Engineering Class is assigned to an Engineering Document or
Engineering Account, the Milestone Template can be copied to an Engineering Document or Engineering Account. As the Engineering
Document or Engineering Account is statused, the Percent Complete associated with the highest milestone completed is the Percent
Complete calculated for the Engineering Document or Engineering Account.
Progress Milestones are listed in sequential order, first to last, using a Milestone number. Each Milestone is assigned a Percent Complete. The
lowest percentage is applied to the first Milestone and is increased with each successive milestone. The following example demonstrates the
sequential order of Milestones and the Percent Complete applied to each for a General Arrangement Drawing:
01 Planning 10%
02 Layout 25%
03 Preliminary Design 40%
04 Final Design 60%
05 Checking 80%
06 Issue For Approval 90%
07 Issue For Construction 100%
These templates of progress Milestones ensure a consistent and objective approach to entering status against documents of a similar nature
and tasks. It also makes the status process more efficient.
Note that in order for progress Milestones to be useful on individual Engineering Documents or Engineering Accounts, the Percent Complete
Method assigned to each document must be either MME or MIL.
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Equipment/Materials (Define)
The Equipment/Materials ribbon on the Define tab is where commands are found to define standards and definitions for a project which are
specific to functions associated with the Equipment/Materials package.
Inspection Levels
The Inspection Level is used to indicate the inspection requirement assigned to a Purchase Requisition. This pertinent information is used by
the purchasing agent to ensure proper documentation is assigned to a Request For Quotation (RFQ) or a Purchase Order pertaining to
inspections.
The Inspection Level ID is a user-defined alphanumeric code. A corresponding Inspection Level Description is included, such as in the examples
shown below:
No Inspection Required
Full Quality Check
Limited Quality Check
Test Full Operation of Equipment
Visual Check for Damage Only
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Events
Events are a listing of standard steps or events that an organization must complete to manage the Procurement or Contracting process. The
Events form is only used to generate the titles of the various Events; it has nothing to do with sequencing of the events. Events are assigned at
the Enterprise level to create a standard list of Events that can be used by all projects. Events can also be assigned at the Project level.
Each Event is identified for use in Purchase Order schedules, Shipment schedules, or Contract schedules. The Event list should include items
that start when Purchasing or Contracts receive a Purchase Requisition until the procured item arrives on site or the contract is closed.
Some common Events that take place throughout the Contract process include:
Issue Request for Quotation or Request for Proposal
Receive Bids
Issue Purchase Order or Contract
Ship Materials
Arrive at Site
Required at Site
The Event Title is displayed in certain on-screen forms. In reports, the Event Title is not used in column headers because it could create
potential issues with overlapping labels. Instead, two additional fields are used to produce a more compact Event Title for column headers;
the Report Label-Upper and Report Label-Lower fields. When a report using Event Titles is printed, the Upper Title is printed above the Lower
Title.
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To Define Events:
1) For Enterprise Events, select Enterprise > Purchase Orders and Contracts > Events. For Project Events, select Define > Purchase
Orders and Contracts > Events.
2) Click the Add Record icon.
3) Click in the Event ID cell and enter a unique Event ID.
4) Click in the Event Title cell and enter an Event Title.
5) Click in the Report Label-Upper cell and enter the first portion of the Event Title.
6) Click in the Report Label-Lower cell and enter the last portion of the Event Title.
7) Click the Data Type drop-down and select Contracts, Purchase Orders, or Shipments.
8) Click the Standard Event drop-down and select a Standard Event.
9) To sort these records differently than the alphanumeric value of the Event ID, click in the Sort Code cell and enter a Sort Code.
Event Templates
Once the titles of Events have been defined, specific Events can be grouped and sequenced together by creating an Event Template. An Event
Template is essentially a standard sequence of Procurement, Shipment, or Contracting activities. Multiple Event Templates can be developed
for Purchase Orders, Shipments, and/or Contracts. These templates are used when creating a Request For Quotation/Purchase Order,
Shipment, or a Request for Proposal/Contract in order to quickly apply a standard set of Events. Event Templates are assigned at the
Enterprise level to create templates that can be used by all projects or at the Project level.
As an example, you may want to create Event Templates for Mechanical Equipment Procurements, Mechanical Equipment Shipments, Bulk
Material Procurements, Engineering Service Contracts, Construction Contracts, and Piping Fabrication.
Each Event on a template should have Durations assigned. These are the average duration in calendar days that it takes for the Event to be
completed. In addition, each Event is assigned a Weight. This weighting is for information only. In the future it will be used as a factor in
calculating a Purchase Order or Contract's percent complete.
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6) Click the Events subpane, click the Add Record icon, and select one or more Event IDs, and click OK.
7) For each Event added to the list:
a. Click in the Duration cell and enter the Average Calendar Days it takes to complete the Event.
b. Click in the Weight cell and enter a Weight Factor that may be used to determine the Percent Complete of Purchase Orders or
Contracts.
Payment Terms
The Payment Terms form is used to define Payment Terms for the Enterprise or Project. Payment Terms indicate when payments are
contractually obligated to be made as negotiated between the Buyer and the Seller. Usually, there is a specific time in calendar days from
when the invoice is sent to the Buyer to when the payment must be made. In some cases, payments may need to be made up front, either in
advance or when the procured items are delivered or contract services are rendered.
Delivery Terms
The Delivery Terms form is used to define Delivery Terms for the Enterprise or Project. Delivery Terms indicate how and/or where the
procured items are to be delivered or contract services are rendered, as negotiated between the Buyer and the Seller.
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Delivery Addresses
Delivery Addresses are used in various Requests for Quotation/Purchase Orders, Request for Proposal/Contracts, and Prime Contracts
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documents printed by PRISM . You can define a standard set of Delivery Addresses at the Enterprise or Project level. Standard Delivery
Addresses (on page 300) simplify the process of adding addresses to an individual Request for Quotation/Purchase Order and Request for
Proposal/Contract.
There are four types of Delivery Addresses that can be defined. For each type of Delivery Address, you can define multiple Delivery Addresses:
Communications - to send all communications to.
Engineering Documents - to send drawings, reports, data, manuals to (only used on Requests for Quotation and Purchase Orders).
Shipments - to send equipment and materials to (only used on Requests for Quotation and Purchase Orders).
Invoices - to send all invoices to.
Note that you can use an ID structure that helps separate the different types of Delivery Addresses. For instance, the Address
IDs for all communication Delivery Addresses can begin with the title COMM followed by a sequential number (i.e., COMM1,
COMM2, etc.).
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Invoice Status
The Invoice Status form is used to define Invoice Status codes for the Enterprise or Project. Invoice Status codes are used indicate the current
status of an Invoice. Each Status ID is assigned a system-defined Stage, which determines how commitment data is affected on the Invoices, as
described below.
None - the invoice record is not complete and the invoice cost is not added to the commitment data.
Pending - the invoice is pending to be approved and invoice cost is added as an unapproved invoice.
Approved - the invoice is approved and the invoice cost is added as an approved invoice.
Paid - the invoice is paid and the cost is added as an approved Invoice.
Invoice Collections
The Invoice Collections form is used to define Invoice Collection codes for the Project. Invoice Collection codes can be used to categorize an
Invoice's collection requirements. As an example, you can use these codes to define the size of the invoice in terms of cost, which could
determine the approval requirements.
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Services Rendered
The Services Rendered form is used to define Services Rendered codes for the Enterprise or Project. Services Rendered codes can be used to
categorize an invoice by the type of services that the vendor is performing.
Field Management
The Field Management ribbon on the Define tab is where commands are found to define standards and definitions for a project which are
specific to functions associated with the Field Management package.
Rules of Credit
The Rules of Credit definition is used to create a template of standard Rules to track progress on Progress Accounts and Progress Items. Each
Rules of Credit is assigned a template of Rules. Each Rule represents a step in the Field that must be completed for a Progress Account or
Progress Item. A Rule is assigned a Quantity Unit (i.e., cubic yards, lineal feet) and the Planned Quantity. The Rule is then weighted which will
help measure the progress based on the Planned Quantity and the Quantity Completed.
For example, a Site Preparation on a Field Management project could use one set of Rules, while installing electrical equipment would require
a different set of Rules. However, in both cases, for either a Progress Account or Progress Item a standard set of rules could be established for
both Field activities to track progress.
When a Rules of Credit is assigned to a Progress Account or Progress Item, the Rules need to be copied over to the Rules of Credit subpanes.
The Rules are listed in a sequential order, first to last, using an alphanumeric identifier. Each Rule is assigned a weight. The total weight of all
the Rules should equal 100, meaning that when all the Rules have been completed; the Progress Item or Progress Account is 100 percent
complete.
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Note that this is different than assigning Milestones where one milestone cannot be started until the previous has been
completed. Sometimes during Field activities, several Rules will be performed simultaneously; therefore, some Rules may not be
completed in a sequential order.
The following example shows the Rules that could be assigned for Site Preparation and Excavation.
These templates of Rules ensure a consistent and standard approach to enter status against Progress Accounts and Progress Items of a similar
nature. It also makes the progressing of a project more efficient.
Note that in order for a Rules of Credit to be useful on individual Progress Items and Progress Accounts, the Percent Complete
Method assigned must be set to ROC.
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11) Click in the Weight cell and enter a Weight. Note that the sum of the Weights for all the Rules that are defined must equal 100.
Note that if the total weight for the Rules of Credit does not equal 100, forecasts and earned value reporting will not be
accurate.
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Import/Export
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The Import/Export tab is where commands to import data into and export data out of PRISM are found. This includes shared
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import/export routines that are used in every PRISM package, as well as import/export commands that are specific to each package.
Shared (Import/Export)
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The Shared ribbon group on the Import/Export tab is where commands are found to import data into tables in PRISM , as well as export data
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from tables in PRISM . These commands are available for use no matter which PRISM package is enabled.
Import/Export Data
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Almost every data table in PRISM can be exported from PRISM into a variety of common file formats, such as Microsoft Excel. Conversely,
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data can be imported from these file formats back into PRISM .
The Import and Export forms are divided into four panes.
Table Menu - upper-left pane
Specification List - lower-left pane
Import/Export Specification - upper-right pane
Fields and Filter - lower-right pane
To generate an Import/Export Specification you must first select a table from the Table Menu. This is a tree structure which categorizes the
multitude of tables. Only the tables that you have permission to access are displayed.
Under each category you will see the Table Title for each table. Once a table is located, you can click the Table Title. By doing so, the
Import/Export Specification form for that particular table is displayed. If there are any saved Import/Export Specifications, the first
specification is displayed.
The Specification List is a list of every Import/Export Specification that has been created and saved for the table selected in the Table Menu.
This is similar to a Navigation Pane (on page 152) and includes a navigation toolbar, allowing you to add and delete specifications, print or
export the list of specifications, etc.
A table's Specification List is empty until the first Import/Export Specification is created. To create a new Import/Export Specification, you
must enter a Specification ID and Description. You can access an existing Import/Export Specification by selecting a Specification ID from the
Specification List.
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Note that you must have the Import Data option enabled and the Run Processes permission assigned in the User Permissions in
order to import data. Only the tables associated with the package that you have permission to access are only available to
import/export data. Additionally, importing of historical time phased data (data prior to the current Reporting Period) requires
you to also have the Exclusive Use permission option assigned and you must open the project in Exclusive Use.
There are some important issues you must consider when importing.
Be sure to Archive prior to importing. This allows you to restore your original data if your import file was incorrectly developed.
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You cannot change a Field ID using the import process. The Replace IDs (on page 691) utility is used to perform this function. Any new
Field IDs entered in the import file will simply create a new record.
When importing from a Microsoft Excel workbook, the worksheet located in the first position is the only worksheet imported.
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It is possible that the file being imported contains records where the Key Field ID is duplicated. PRISM may allow you to import these
Duplicate Records. However, the last duplicate record imported overwrites the previous duplicate record.
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It is suggested that you enter a small amount of data into PRISM and then use the export feature to export the data to a file. This
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will provide you an example file that will help you create an import file in a format that PRISM can import.
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PRISM allows fields from more than one data table to be exported at the same time, however, only fields from one data table can
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be imported into PRISM at a time.
10) In the Fields subpane, check the Include checkbox for each field you want to include in the import or export file.
Note each Key Field record is automatically checked and cannot be unchecked.
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a. The Table field indicates which PRISM table the data are being imported into or exported from. Some Data Table selections
from Step 6 actually export data from multiple tables. The data table the field corresponds to is identified in this column.
b. The Field Name identified in the Name column is used as the column header for each exported field.
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c. A rarely used feature is the Sort column where the sort order of the exported fields can be modified by entering an
alphanumeric value.
d. The Type column indicates the character types which include the following:
C Character
D Date
L Boolean Logic (one digit numerical)
M Memo (unlimited characters)
N Numerical
V Variable Character
e. The Width column indicates the total number of characters in a field, including decimal characters.
f. The Decimal column indicates the total number of decimal places in a field.
11) Apply a Filter (on page 193), if necessary. You can access the Filter by clicking the Filter tab to view the Filter subpane.
12) Click the Start Import icon on the navigation toolbar to start the import process or click the Start Export icon to start the export
process.
a. If the data are what you expected, click the Complete Import or the Complete Export icon and the data will be imported or
exported.
b. If not, click the Cancel Import or the Cancel Export icon and the data will NOT be imported or exported.
Note that there is an option to Import New Records Only. This option will filter the import records and import only the records
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from the external file into PRISM that do not currently exist. New data from existing records will not be imported if this box is
checked. This option is only available when importing data.
Cost (Import/Export)
The Cost ribbon group on the Import/Export tab is where commands are found to import and export cost data specific to the Cost
Management package. This includes importing accounting data as well as importing and exporting a Control Account's time phased data.
Note that deleting existing accounting data will not remove Accrual Reversals or data that does not have a Data Source defined
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as FIN, meaning it was imported into PRISM .
When this feature is used, data is imported into the Period Actuals data pane and the Commitments data pane, which are essentially holding
tables. The data is not automatically entered into the Control Accounts data pane until the Calculate Control Account Totals (on page 394)
calculation is run. However, you can simultaneously run this calculation by enabling the Calculate Control Account Totals checkbox found
on the import form.
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In order for Accounting data to be imported correctly into PRISM , the import file must match PRISM 's requirements. First you will export
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data from your accounting system into a file format that PRISM can read; usually this is Microsoft Excel. Next, you will re-sequence columns
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of data and format the data to match the PRISM requirements. The Fields button on the Import Accounting Data data pane opens the Field
Definitions for Importing Data form. This form describes each field required in the import file in the sequence necessary. It also indicates the
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Format Type and Length for each field. Note that the import files should have a header row, however, PRISM imports data based on the
sequence of the fields and not the header titles.
Note that ARES Project Management LLC can be contracted to create a single button automated process where the native file
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from your account system is automatically re-sequenced, formatted, and then imported into PRISM .
When the import process is run, the Data to be Appended form displays all of the records in the import file. You should review this form to be
sure data is being imported into the correct columns and is formatted correctly. Any record can be removed from the import.
Note that you must have the Allow Data Import option in the User Permissions assigned to you in order to import data.
Error Checking
An Error Checking system determines if there are any Control Accounts or Control Elements being imported that are not currently defined in
the project.
For each imported record, the Control Account IDs are reviewed against the Ledger Account Code table. If a match is found, then the record's
data is applied against the cross-walked Control Account ID. If no match is found, then it is reviewed against the Control Account IDs in the
Control Account data pane. If a match is found, then the records data is applied against the Control Account ID. If no match is found then the
Control Account ID is highlighted with Red text in the Import Preview form during the import process. At this point you can choose one of two
paths. The first is to cancel the import at that time, fix the import file, and re-import the file. The second is to continue with the import, in
which case, a Select Records form appears allowing you to choose any or all of the highlighted Control Accounts to be created. If you do create
Control Accounts in this manner, you will need to revisit those accounts and enter additional data or assign links to other data, as necessary.
A very similar process takes place for Control Element IDs, except that it reviews data in the Ledger Elements Codes table and the Control
Elements form.
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Note that the Allow Data Import option in the User Permissions must be assigned to you in order to import data. Additionally,
importing of historical time phased data (data prior to the current Reporting Period) requires you to have the Exclusive Use
permission option assigned and you must open the project in Exclusive Use. These permissions are in addition to having Run
Processes permissions for All Projects. Data will not be imported by simply having Run Processes permissions on individual
projects.
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The import process is similar to the export process except for two extra selections.
Skip Header Lines - you can choose the number of header lines to skip in the file being imported.
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Delete Existing Records - this function will delete the existing data in PRISM for the selected table as a precursor to the import
process. However, this feature should be used with caution. It is unusual that you would want to erase all existing records in a table.
Import Escalated Data - this option assigns an indicator to the Control Accounts-Time Phased Cost subpane which indicates if the
Baseline Budget, Approved Budget, Control Budget, or Estimate to Complete data imported was escalated data. It will also apply an
indicator to the Control Accounts-Cost Elements subpane if the Calculate Totals option was selected for any of these Data Types.
Add Values - for each Data Type you can choose to have the imported data appended to the existing data or have it replace the
existing data.
Calculate Totals - for several Data Types you can choose to have the control account totals calculated based on the summary of the
Time Phased Data being imported; Baseline Budget, Approved Budget, Control Budget, Actual/ETC, and the User-Defined Amounts.
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The records imported affect data in PRISM in one of two ways depending on the Field ID.
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If a Field ID in the import file matches a Field ID in PRISM , then the other fields of the imported record replace the existing data in
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PRISM .
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If a Field ID in the import file does not match a Field ID in PRISM , then a new record is created in PRISM with all the fields of data
imported from the file.
There are some important issues you must consider when importing.
Be sure to Archive prior to importing. This allows you to restore your original data if your import file was incorrectly developed.
You cannot change a Field ID using the import process. The Replace IDs (on page 691) utility is used to perform this function. Any new
Field IDs entered in the import file will simply create a new record.
When importing from a Microsoft Excel workbook, the worksheet located in the first position is the only worksheet imported.
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It is possible that the file being imported contains records where the Key Field ID is duplicated. PRISM may allow you to import these
Duplicate Records. However, the last duplicate record imported overwrites the previous duplicate record.
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It is suggested that you enter a small amount of data into PRISM and then use the export feature to export the data to a file. This
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will provide you an example file that will help you create an import file in a format that PRISM can import.
The selections you choose when importing or exporting data are saved in order to be accessed at a later time. This is called an Import/Export
Specification and you can create as many as you need.
To Import Time Phased Data to or Export Time Phased Data from a File:
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1) Prior to importing Time Phased Data into PRISM , Archive (on page 213) the PRISM project. This is optional but suggested.
2) Select Import/Export > Cost > Import/Export TPD.
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3) Click the Add Record icon, click in the Specification ID box and enter a Specification ID. If an Import/Export Specification was
previously created, use the Navigation Pane to locate and select the desired Specification.
4) Click in the Description box and enter a Specification Description.
5) Click the File Name browse icon, select the File Format, enter or select the File Name and Folder Location, and click Open.
6) Click the Start Period picklist and select the Reporting Period that is the beginning of the range of periods to be imported or
exported. If this is left blank then the data imported begins with the projects first Reporting Period.
7) Click the Finish Period picklist and select the Reporting Period that is the end of the range of periods to be imported or exported. If
this is left blank then the data imported ends with the projects last Reporting Period.
8) Click in the Sort Code box and enter a Sort Code, if necessary.
9) For importing data:
a. Enter the Number of header lines to skip in the Skip Header Lines box. The default value is set to 1.
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b. Check the Delete Existing Data checkbox to delete all Time Phased Data currently in PRISM that matches how the Filter is
applied.
c. Check the Import Escalated Data checkbox to import Time Phased Cost Data that has been Escalated. If checked, the Cost
Elements escalated budget will be displayed in the Control Accounts-Cost Elements and Control Accounts-Time Phased Cost
subpanes. If unchecked, the Cost Element budgets will not be escalated.
10) In the Fields subpane, for each field to be imported or exported, check the Field checkbox.
11) For those fields selected to be imported:
a. Check the Calculate Totals checkbox if you want the Control Account data pane and the Control Accounts-Control Element
subpanes to be revised based on the summarized value from the Control Accounts-Time Phased Data subpanes.
b. Check the Add Values checkbox if you want to append the values to the existing values. If not checked, then the existing value is
replaced with the imported value.
12) Apply a Filter (on page 193) if necessary.
13) Click the Start Import or Start Export icon. Preview the data being imported or exported.
a. If the data is what you expected then click the Complete Import or Complete Export icon and the data will be imported or
exported.
b. If not, click the Cancel Import or Cancel Export icon and the data will NOT be imported or exported. Fix the data and perform the
import/export process again.
Note that you must have the Allow Data Import option in the User Permissions assigned to you in order to import data.
There are some important issues you must consider when importing.
Be sure to Archive prior to importing. This allows you to restore your original data if your import file was incorrectly developed.
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You cannot change a Field ID using the import process. The Replace IDs (on page 691) utility is used to perform this function. Any new
Field IDs entered in the import file will simply create a new record.
When importing from a Microsoft Excel workbook, the worksheet located in the first position is the only worksheet imported.
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It is possible that the file being imported contains records where the Key Field ID is duplicated. PRISM may allow you to import these
Duplicate Records. However, the last duplicate record imported overwrites the previous duplicate record.
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It is suggested that you enter a small amount of data into PRISM and then use the export feature to export the data to a file. This
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will provide you an example file that will help you create an import file in a format that PRISM can import.
The selections you choose when importing or exporting data are saved in order to be accessed at a later time. This is called an Import/Export
Specification and you can create as many as you need.
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Budget (Import/Export)
The Budget ribbon group on the Import/Export tab is where a command is found to import estimate data specific to the Cost Management
package. Budget Details and the Cost Element details are imported from a spreadsheet or PRISM Project Estimator.
During the import process, you can Delete Existing Budget Detail Records that are stored in the Budget Details data pane. If a filter is applied,
then only the records included are deleted. If no filter is selected, then all of the existing Budget Details records are deleted.
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The import file includes fields of data that indicate Control Elements. Generally, you will want to create Control Elements in PRISM that
match the Control Elements being imported. However, there is an option that allows you to Create Missing Control Elements Records in
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PRISM from those identified in the import file. This process will only add Control Element IDs, and you will have to define the Control
Element descriptions and any other associated data in the Control Elements form.
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In order to import a spreadsheet into PRISM , the fields imported and the character type and length must match the PRISM requirements.
The import form has a Fields button that opens the Field Definitions form. This form provides the requirements for the sequence of data, the
data type, and data length.
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There must be a column in the Microsoft Excel spreadsheet for each item in this form. PRISM is only interested in the Sequence of the
columns and is not concerned with field names. Therefore, the first column in the spreadsheet must contain the ID; the second column must
contain the Description, and so on.
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The format of each cell must conform to PRISM 's requirements. This means that data entered into each column of the spreadsheet must be
of the defined Type for the field. Text data will be truncated if longer than the defined length of the field.
The data Types are defined below.
The numeric value for Length indicates the maximum number of characters. The data input can be the maximum number of characters or less.
The Length value for Numerical data types includes the decimal point and decimal values.
The Template button found on the Field Definitions form allows you to export the fields to a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet, which contains no
data. This provides you the correct data types and field sequence in which to start entering data into the spreadsheet.
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You can assign up to 20 Cost Elements in the estimate spreadsheet to Cost Elements in PRISM . You may want to define the Cost Elements in
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PRISM prior to importing the estimate, although, you can use the Create Missing Control Elements Records option to automatically define
the Cost Elements during the import process.
Note that you must have the Allow Data Import option in the User Permissions assigned to you in order to import data.
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5) Check the Delete Existing Budget Detail Records With Filter checkbox if you want to delete existing Budget Details. A blank Filter
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causes all existing Budget Details in PRISM to be deleted.
6) Check the Create Missing Control Element Records checkbox if you want Control Element IDs in the import file to be included in the
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Control Elements table in PRISM .
7) Apply a Filter (on page 193), if necessary
8) Click Import.
Schedule (Import/Export)
The Schedule ribbon group on the Import/Export tab is where commands are found to import schedule data specific to the Cost Management
package. This includes importing schedule activity data from a spreadsheet or importing schedule data from external scheduling
applications.
Import Activities
Generally, it is best to Import a schedule from Primavera or Microsoft Project because a significant amount of data contained in the
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scheduling application is transferred directly into PRISM . However, there are cases when you do not have access to the scheduling
application. In such a case you can import a Spreadsheet or Flat File and the most common spreadsheet imported is Microsoft Excel.
Note that you must have the Allow Data Import option in the User Permissions assigned to you in order to import data.
Note that if a schedule Activity spreadsheet file is imported, then the Control Account must be defined in the Import file. If a
Primavera or Microsoft Project schedule is imported then the Fields Used for Control Account IDs option must be used to define
the Control Account ID.
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The numeric value for Length indicates the maximum number of characters. The data input can be the maximum number of characters or less.
The Length value for Numerical data types includes the decimal point and decimal values.
The Template button found on the Field Definitions form allows you to export the fields to a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet, which contains no
data. This provides you the correct data types and field sequence in which to start entering data into the spreadsheet.
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4) Check the Delete Existing Activities Using Filter checkbox to delete any activities currently in the Activities data pane. If a filter is not
applied, all activities are deleted.
5) Check the Create Control Accounts checkbox if you want to create Control Accounts in the Control Accounts data pane based on the
Control Accounts assigned to Schedule Activities in the flat file being imported.
6) Check the Create Control Account / Activity Cross-reference checkbox if you want to create cross-references between Schedule
Activities in the Schedule Activities data pane and Control Accounts in the Control Accounts data pane. This cross-reference is based
on Control Accounts assigned to Schedule Activities in the flat file being imported.
7) Apply a Filter (on page 193), if necessary.
8) Click Import.
Note that you must have the Allow Data Import option in the User Permissions assigned to you in order to import data.
There are some differences between importing a Primavera P6 schedule and importing a spreadsheet file. These differences include:
More data is imported from a Primavera schedule than a spreadsheet file. This includes all Activity Codes and Resources.
Control Accounts can be automatically created during the import process.
Control Account IDs can be created from a combination of fields generated from the Primavera schedule.
There are choices to include or not include Summary activities.
Activity weighting can be generated from duration of Activities, or hours or cost assigned to resources on each Activity.
There is a choice to include or not include resources data, hours only, or both cost and hours from resources.
Note that you must have access on your computer to Primavera P6 in order for the import process to work.
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Only Activities from the Activities data pane and Activity Resource Assignments from the Activities-Resources subpane are deleted. Resources
in the Resources data pane are not deleted, as well as Control Accounts that were created from a previous schedule import.
Activities Option
Primavera P6 and Microsoft Project schedules can include what are called Summary Activities. A Summary Activity spans from the earliest
date to the latest date for a group of activities. Generally, these are used to visually summarize a group of Activities on the schedule and as
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such do not provide any useful information in PRISM .
Note that in Primavera P6 the Summary Activities are labeled WBS Summary and Level of Effort.
WARNING: Depending on the Activity Weight Option used, Summaries can adversely affect time phasing of data if they are
assigned to Control Accounts. You can choose to not import any Summary Activities.
Alternatively, in some schedules, resource-loading is only entered on Summary Activities. In this case, you can choose to only import Summary
Activities.
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Note that if a schedule Activity spreadsheet file is imported, then the Control Account must be defined in the Import file. If a
Primavera or Microsoft Project schedule is imported then the Fields Used for Control Account IDs option must be used to define
the Control Account ID.
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10
10.01 10.01 01
10.02 10.02 02
10.03 10.03 03
11 11 11
12
12.01 12.01 01
12.02 12.02 02
13 13 13
As you can see from the example above, if the option is not enabled, there is the possibility of having duplicate codes generated.
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As an example, three schedule fields are used to create the Control Account ID and the length of each field to be used is assigned.
WBS (4 digits)
Area/Department Full Length (4 digits)
Phase Full Length (4 digits)
A separator code "." is placed between each field.
If an Activity has the following codes:
WBS - 109491
Area/Dept - MECH
Phase - ENGR
Then the Control Account ID assigned to this Activity is 1094.MECH.ENGR.
P6 EPS/Project Codes
The Primavera P6 database is enterprise-centric meaning that all of the schedules built in it are created and maintained in a single database.
You have the choice to import either one project, multiple projects, a single EPS node (which is Primavera's method for grouping several
projects), multiple EPS nodes, or any combination of these. When importing multiple projects, the Add Project to Activity/WBS ID option can
be used to ensure Activity IDs and WBS elements are not duplicated.
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Note that some companies want to keep this P6 connection data private and inaccessible to normal PRISM Users. There is a P6
Connection form found in the Administration ribbon tab. If the P6 connection data is entered in this form, then these fields are
disabled in the Import Primavera P6 form. The User will only have to identify the EPS or Project Code in order to import P6 data.
13) The following P6 Database Connection data is entered if it has not been defined in the P6 Connection (on page 249) form in the
Administration ribbon tab.
a. Oracle - if Primavera is configured to utilize Oracle for its database.
b. Microsoft SQL Server - if Primavera is configured to utilize Microsoft SQL Server for its database.
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c. Web Service - if Primavera is configured to utilize P6 API with the PRISM Web Service.
14) If Oracle or Microsoft SQL Server has been selected, click in the Server box and enter the Server Name, which is the network location
where Primavera is located. This information should be provided by your Database Administrator.
15) If Oracle or Microsoft SQL Server has been selected, click in the Database box and enter the Database Name. This information should
be provided by your Database Administrator.
16) If Web Service has been selected, click in the URL box and enter the URL address for the webserver. This information should be
provided by your Database Administrator.
17) Click in the Server box and enter the Server Name, which is the network location where Primavera is located. This information should
be provided by your Database Administrator.
18) Click in the Database box and enter the Database Name. This information should be provided by your Database Administrator.
19) Utilize the Fields Used for Control Account IDs option to develop the Control Account structure and coding.
20) Apply a Filter (on page 193), if necessary.
21) Click Import.
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Note that you must have the Allow Data Import option in the User Permissions assigned to you in order to import data.
There are some differences between importing a Microsoft Project schedule and importing a spreadsheet file. These differences include:
More data is imported from a Microsoft Project schedule than a spreadsheet file. This includes all Activity Codes and Resources.
Control Accounts can be automatically created during the import process.
Control Account IDs can be created from a combination of fields generated from the Microsoft Project schedule.
There are choices to include or not include Summary Activities.
Activity weighting can be generated from duration of Activities, or hours or cost assigned to resources on each Activity.
There is a choice to include or not include resources data, hours only, or both cost and hours from resources.
The Task IDs in Microsoft Project do not remain stable. When importing a schedule, each task must have a unique and stable identification
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number. PRISM uses Microsoft Projects WBS number assigned to each task as the Activity ID in PRISM because it does not automatically
change. Since a schedule is imported several times during the life of a project, it is important the WBS identifier on the external schedule is
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never changed by the scheduler. If the WBS identifier is changed, then PRISM has no way of understanding how this new WBS identifier links
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to the old WBS identifier. Therefore, additional schedule Activities will be created in PRISM during the import process.
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Activities Option
Primavera P6 and Microsoft Project schedules can include what are called Summary Activities. A Summary Activity spans from the earliest
date to the latest date for a group of activities. Generally, these are used to visually summarize a group of Activities on the schedule and as
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such do not provide any useful information in PRISM .
Note that in Primavera P6 the Summary Activities are labeled WBS Summary and Level of Effort.
WARNING: Depending on the Activity Weight Option used, Summaries can adversely affect time phasing of data if they are
assigned to Control Accounts. You can choose to not import any Summary Activities.
Alternatively, in some schedules, resource-loading is only entered on Summary Activities. In this case, you can choose to only import Summary
Activities.
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Cost Weighting - Weighting is derived from the Cost data applied to each resource assigned to an Activity in a resource-loaded schedule. This
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is the best method to use because it ensures the time phasing developed in a resource-loaded schedule is closely approximated in PRISM . If
the Create Control Account/Activity Cross-reference option is enabled, then Cost Weighting is assigned to each Control Account in the
Activities-Control Account Cross-reference subpane. If this option is not enabled, then Cost Weighting is assigned to each Activity in the
Activities data pane.
Note that if a schedule Activity spreadsheet file is imported, then the Control Account must be defined in the Import file. If a
Primavera or Microsoft Project schedule is imported then the Fields Used for Control Account IDs option must be used to define
the Control Account ID.
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As an example, three schedule fields are used to create the Control Account ID and the length of each field to be used is assigned.
WBS (4 digits)
Area/Department Full Length (4 digits)
Phase Full Length (4 digits)
A separator code "." is placed between each field.
If an Activity has the following codes:
WBS - 109491
Area/Dept - MECH
Phase - ENGR
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a. Baseline Data
b. Approved Data
c. Control Data
d. Current Data - Typically used when creating the Baseline.
10) Check the Create Control Accounts checkbox, if creating Control Accounts is necessary.
11) Check the Create Control Account / Activity Cross-reference checkbox, if a cross-reference between Schedule Activities and Control
Accounts is necessary.
12) Apply a Filter (on page 193), if necessary.
13) Click Import.
3) After the URL has been entered, click the List Projects button and the available projects will be displayed in the Project Name box.
4) Select one or more Projects.
5) Repeat Steps 5 through 13 above to define Import options.
Note that the Allow Data Import option in the User Permissions must be assigned to you in order to import data.
A connection to the Microsoft Project database can be established by the System Administrator at the Administration level. If this has been
done, the URL will be displayed as read-only and the projects located in the database connection will be listed by clicking on the List Projects
button.
Note that the Microsoft Project Server uses Microsoft Integrated Security for controlling access to projects to import.
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There are some differences between importing a Microsoft Project schedule and importing a spreadsheet file. These differences include:
More data is imported from a Microsoft Project schedule than a spreadsheet file. This includes all Activity Codes and Resources.
Control Accounts can be automatically created during the import process.
Control Account IDs can be created from a combination of fields generated from the Microsoft Project schedule.
There are choices to include or not include Summary Activities.
Activity weighting can be generated from duration of Activities, or hours or cost assigned to resources on each Activity.
There is a choice to include or not include resources data, hours only, or both cost and hours from resources.
The Task IDs in Microsoft Project do not remain stable. When importing a schedule, each task must have a unique and stable identification
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number. PRISM uses the Microsoft Projects WBS number assigned to each task as the Activity ID in PRISM because it does not
automatically change. Since a schedule is imported several times during the life of a project, it is important the WBS identifier on the external
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schedule is never changed by the scheduler. If the WBS identifier is changed, then PRISM has no way of understanding how this new WBS
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identifier links to the old WBS identifier. Therefore, additional schedule Activities will be created in PRISM during the import process.
Activities Option
Primavera P6 and Microsoft Project schedules can include what are called Summary Activities. A Summary Activity spans from the earliest
date to the latest date for a group of activities. Generally, these are used to visually summarize a group of Activities on the schedule and as
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such do not provide any useful information in PRISM .
Note that in Primavera P6 the Summary Activities are labeled WBS Summary and Level of Effort.
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WARNING: Depending on the Activity Weight Option used, Summaries can adversely affect time phasing of data if they are
assigned to Control Accounts. You can choose to not import any Summary Activities.
Alternatively, in some schedules, resource-loading is only entered on Summary Activities. In this case, you can choose to only import Summary
Activities.
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All - Resources, resource assignments to Activities, and assigned hours and cost to each resource are imported.
Note that if a schedule Activity spreadsheet file is imported, then the Control Account must be defined in the Import file. If a
Primavera or Microsoft Project schedule is imported then the Fields Used for Control Account IDs option must be used to define
the Control Account ID.
Sometimes you do not want the entire code in the field to create the Control Account ID. You can choose to use the beginning range of
characters instead. This is referred to as the Length. For instance, the WBS might be 10 digits long but you intend to only use the first six
characters of the WBS for developing the Control Account IDs.
As an example, three schedule fields are used to create the Control Account ID and the length of each field to be used is assigned.
WBS (4 digits)
Area/Department Full Length (4 digits)
Phase Full Length (4 digits)
A separator code "." is placed between each field.
If an Activity has the following codes:
WBS - 109491
Area/Dept - MECH
Phase - ENGR
Then the Control Account ID assigned to this Activity is 1094.MECH.ENGR.
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Note that the Microsoft Project server assumes the User will be authenticated by Windows integrated security. This is done
because Microsoft Project Server is a SharePoint application that handles standard Windows integrated security and because
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PRISM is a standard Windows application.
3) Once the URL has been entered, click the List Projects button to list all the projects in the Microsoft Project database. Projects will not
be automatically populated when a URL address is entered to increase performance and ensure if the URL address is changed that the
correct Project list will be displayed.
4) Click in the Project Name box; select one or more projects in which to import Project files.
a. If the database connection is established using this form, click the List Projects button to view all the database projects.
5) Click one of the three Delete Activities radio buttons.
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a. None - If no existing Activities in PRISM need to be deleted.
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b. Filter - If some existing Activities in PRISM need to be deleted. Note that a Filter must be applied.
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c. All - If all existing Activities in PRISM need to be deleted.
6) Click one of the three Activities radio buttons.
a. All - Includes all Activities including Summary Activities; the default option.
b. No Summaries - Includes all Activities except Summary Activities.
c. Summaries Only - Only includes Summary Activities.
7) Click one of the four Activity Weight radio buttons.
a. None - No Activity weighting is entered.
b. Duration - Activity Duration is entered as the weighting.
c. Hours - Quantity for each resource assigned to an Activity are summarized and used as weighting. The schedule must be
Resource-Loaded.
d. Cost - Cost for each resource assigned to an Activity are summarized and used as weighting. The schedule must be
Resource-Loaded and include Cost.
8) Click one of the three Resource Data radio buttons.
a. None - No resources are imported; select this choice for importing Non Resource-Loaded schedules
b. Hours Only - Resources, assignments to Activities, and assigned hours are imported
c. All - Resources, assignments to Activities, and assigned hours and cost are imported
9) Click one of the four Schedule Data checkboxes.
a. Baseline Data
b. Approved Data
c. Control Data
d. Current Data - Typically used when creating the Baseline.
10) Check the Create Control Accounts checkbox, if creating Control Accounts is necessary.
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11) Check the Create Control Account / Activity Cross-reference checkbox, if a cross-reference between Schedule Activities and Control
Accounts is necessary.
12) Apply a Filter (on page 193), if necessary.
13) Click Import.
SmartPlant Materials
The SmartPlant Materials ribbon group on the Import/Export tab is where commands are found to export Control Account and Schedule
Activity data to the Cost Management package, as well as, import Purchase Order commitment data to the Cost Management package.
Note that the Export SmartPlant Control Accounts command is only displayed if the SmartPlant Interface option in Project
Settings is enabled.
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The file exported is a CSV file using comma delimited format. It contains the Activity ID, the Activity Description, and the Current Early Start
Date.
Note that the Export SmartPlant Control Accounts command is only displayed if the SmartPlant Interface option in Project
Settings is enabled.
Note that the Export SmartPlant Control Accounts command is only displayed if the SmartPlant Interface option in Project
Settings is enabled.
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b. Click the Equipment Cost Element drop-down and select a Cost Element that is already defined in PRISM .
6) Click the View CSV File icon next to the File Name browse icon to open the selected file. This will help you determine if the fields are
in the right sequence and format before the import process is initiated.
7) Click Import.
Engineering (Import/Export)
The Engineering ribbon group on the Import/Export tab is where you will find commands used to import either Actual Period Hours or Actual
to Date Hours pertaining to engineering work performed.
Note that you must have the Allow Data Import option in the User Permissions assigned to you in order to import data.
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In order to import a spreadsheet into PRISM , the fields imported and the character type and length must match the PRISM requirements.
The import form has a Fields button that opens the Field Definitions form. This form provides the requirements for the sequence of data, the
data type, and data length.
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There must be a column in the Microsoft Excel spreadsheet for each item in this form. PRISM is only interested in the Sequence of the
columns and is not concerned with field names. Therefore, the first column in the spreadsheet must contain the ID; the second column must
contain the Description, and so on.
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The format of each cell must conform to PRISM 's requirements. This means that data entered into each column of the spreadsheet must be
of the defined Type for the field. Text data will be truncated if longer than the defined length of the field.
The data Types are defined below.
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The numeric value for Length indicates the maximum number of characters. The data input can be the maximum number of characters or less.
The Length value for Numerical data types includes the decimal point and decimal values.
The Template button found on the Field Definitions form allows you to export the fields to a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet, which contains no
data. This provides you the correct data types and field sequence in which to start entering data into the spreadsheet.
Error Checking
An Error Checking system determines if there are any Engineering Accounts or Engineering Documents being imported that are not currently
defined in the project. For any Engineering Account or Document, if no match is found, then the Engineering Account ID or the Engineering
Document ID is read-only in the Import Preview form during the import process. At this point, you can choose one of two paths. The first is to
cancel the import at that time, fix the import file, and re-import the file. The second is to continue with the import, in which case, a Select
Records form appears allowing you to choose any or all of the highlighted Engineering Accounts or Documents to be created. If you do create
Engineering Accounts or Document in this manner, you will need to revisit those accounts or documents and enter additional data or assign
links to other data, as necessary.
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7) Check the Calculate Engineering Progress checkbox if you want to update the Percent Complete and Earned Value calculations for
Engineering Accounts at the same time the Actual Hours are imported.
8) For the Import Type option, click one of the two radio buttons:
a. Period Actuals - select this option if you are importing Period Actual Hours. This is the default option.
b. Actual to Date Hours - select this option if you are importing Actual to Date Hours.
9) The Import Level is a read-only menu that shows where the Actual Hours will be imported; either at the Engineering Account or
Engineering Document level. If the Show Document Actual Hours is set to Read-only or Editable in the Engineering Settings (on page
454) form, the hours will be imported at the Engineering Document level. If this setting is set to No, Actual Data will be imported at
the Engineering Account level.
10) Click Import.
Note that you must have the Allow Data Import option in the User Permissions assigned to you in order to import data.
Additionally, importing of historical time phased data (data prior to the current Reporting Period) requires you to also have the
Exclusive Use permission option assigned and you must open the project in Exclusive Use. These permissions are in addition to
having Run Processes permissions for All Projects. Data will not be imported by simply having Run Processes permissions on
individual projects.
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There are some important issues you must consider when importing.
Be sure to Archive prior to importing. This allows you to restore your original data if your import file was incorrectly developed.
You cannot change a Field ID using the import process. The Replace IDs (on page 691) utility is used to perform this function. Any new
Field IDs entered in the import file will simply create a new record.
When importing from a Microsoft Excel workbook, the worksheet located in the first position is the only worksheet imported.
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It is possible that the file being imported contains records where the Key Field ID is duplicated. PRISM may allow you to import these
Duplicate Records. However, the last duplicate record imported overwrites the previous duplicate record.
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It is suggested that you enter a small amount of data into PRISM and then use the export feature to export the data to a file. This
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will provide you an example file that will help you create an import file in a format that PRISM can import.
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Note that you must have the Allow Data Import option in the User Permissions assigned to you in order to import data.
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Error Checking
An Error Checking system determines if there are any Progress Accounts being imported that are not currently defined in the project. For any
Progress Account, if no match is found, then the Progress Account ID is read-only in the Import Preview form during the import process. At
this point, you can choose one of two paths. The first is to cancel the import at that time, fix the import file, and re-import the file. The second
is to continue with the import, in which case, a Select Records form appears allowing you to choose any or all of the highlighted Progress
Accounts. If you do create Progress Accounts in this manner, you will need to revisit those accounts and enter additional data or assign links to
other data, as necessary.
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Note that you must have the Allow Data Import option in the User Permissions assigned to you in order to import data.
Additionally, importing of historical time phased data (data prior to the current Reporting Period) requires you to also have the
Exclusive Use permission option assigned and you must open the project in Exclusive Use. These permissions are in addition to
having Run Processes permissions for All Projects. Data will not be imported by simply having Run Processes permissions on
individual projects.
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If a Field ID in the import file does not match a Field ID in PRISM , then a new record is created in PRISM with all the fields of data
imported from the file.
There are some important issues you must consider when importing.
Be sure to Archive prior to importing. This allows you to restore your original data if your import file was incorrectly developed.
You cannot change a Field ID using the import process. The Replace IDs (on page 691) utility is used to perform this function. Any new
Field IDs entered in the import file will simply create a new record.
When importing from a Microsoft Excel workbook, the worksheet located in the first position is the only worksheet imported.
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It is possible that the file being imported contains records where the Key Field ID is duplicated. PRISM may allow you to import these
Duplicate Records. However, the last duplicate record imported overwrites the previous duplicate record.
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It is suggested that you enter a small amount of data into PRISM and then use the export feature to export the data to a file. This
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will provide you an example file that will help you create an import file in a format that PRISM can import.
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a. Check the Add Values checkbox if you want to append the values to the existing values. If not checked, then the existing value is
replaced with the imported value.
b. Check the Calculate Totals checkbox if you want the Progress Account data pane to be revised based on the summarized value
from the Progress Accounts-Time Phased Data subpane.
12) Apply a Filter (on page 193) if necessary.
13) Click the Start Import or Start Export icon. Preview the data being imported or exported.
a. If the data is what you expected then click the Complete Import or Complete Export icon and the data will be imported or
exported.
b. If not, click the Cancel Import or Cancel Export icon and the data will NOT be imported or exported. Fix the data and perform the
import/export process again.
Rules of Credit (Progress Accounts and Progress Items) - Progress Accounts and Progress Items that are being progressed using Rules
of Credit can also be imported from PRISM Field Progressing. The Rules of Credit assigned to either the Progress Account or Progress
Item can be updated and statused. When data is updated for a Rule, the current data in the Rules of Credit subpane will be appended
when data is imported. The Progress Account and/or Progress Item must being using ROC for its percent complete method for Rules
of Credit data to be entered.
Notes (Progress Accounts and Progress Items) - can be added to provide explanation for progress data.
After the data has been submitted and synced using PRISM Field Progressing, the data is transferred into the Staging Tables to be reviewed.
The data can either be Accepted, Rejected or No Action can be taken on the submitted records. If the data is Accepted, it is imported into the
corresponding Progress Accounts and Progress Items tables. The record will appear in PRISM Field Progressing as read-only and statused as
Approved.
If the record is Rejected, it will remain in the import, and be returned to the PRISM Field Progressing User to modify and re-submit.
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Note that the data submitted and synced from PRISM Field Progressing will remain in the import until the Field Management
Reporting Period is closed, including Approved records.
There are two Status IDs for records imported from PRISM Field Progressing.
Submitted - assigned to a record when it is submitted from PRISM Field Progressing to be reviewed.
Updated - assigned to a record that was previously Submitted or a Rejected record when it is re-submitted by the PRISM Field
Progressing user.
Note that you must have Run Process permissions and Exclusive Use of the project to import Field Progressing data using this
utility.
5) Click Import.
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Utilities
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The Utilities tab is where commands to perform special processes are found. This includes shared utilities that are used in every PRISM
package, as well as utilities that are specific to each package.
Shared (Utilities)
The Shared ribbon group on the Utilities tab is where shared utility commands are found. These utilities are available for use no matter which
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PRISM package is enabled.
Replace IDs
There are times when key field IDs need to be modified. However, you cannot simply change an ID in a data pane. If you try this approach, you
will only create new records.
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The reason you cannot directly change a key field ID is because IDs are used throughout PRISM in several related tables. Changing just one
ID in one form does not ensure the ID is appropriately modified in all the related tables.
Therefore, you can use the Replace IDs utility to change the key field ID of any table. This utility provides two different methods for replacing
IDs. The first method allows you to manually replace key field IDs. The second method allows you to import a list containing the existing key
field IDs and the replacement IDs.
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When IDs are replaced, they affect many tables in PRISM . The Update Mode determines exactly how tables are affected. The default mode
is All Tables and it is highly unlikely that you would need to select a different mode. The three modes available are described as follows:
All Tables - Changes values in all panes and forms. This option is highly recommended.
Key Field Table Only - Changes values only in panes and forms where the selected field is the key field. References are not
updated. For example, if an Activity ID is changed, the tables that cross-reference the Activity ID are not updated.
Reference Tables Only - Changes values in all panes and forms except for the Master Table. For example, if an Activity ID is
selected, the tables that cross-reference the Activity ID are updated, while the Activity ID in the Activity data pane is not. This
mode is used to reassign references.
It is best to Archive (on page 213) the project or database prior to using this utility.
You must have Run Process permissions for the project for this utility to be enabled. If you are replacing IDs, you must have the project
opened in Exclusive Use (on page 197) to perform this utility.
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Build Descriptions
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Each Master Record in PRISM has a Description. The description is either entered manually or it can be automatically generated based on
options applied in the Groups (on page 613) data pane. The automatic method uses the Group Descriptions associated with the Group IDs that
are assigned to a Master Record to be combined to create the Master Record's Description. This method is set in the Groups form using the
For Description checkbox. It is enabled for one or more Groups associated with a Master Table. The sequence of the Groups defines the
sequence in which the Master Record descriptions are created.
Based on these settings, when a Master Record is created, the Group descriptions assigned to a Master Record are combined to create a
unique Master Record description. When multiple Groups are used to create a Master Record description, by default, each Group description
is separated with " - " (space, dash, space).
If this automatic method is used, Group Description can be modified after Master Records are created. These changes are not automatically
applied to the Master Record Descriptions. You must use the Build Descriptions utility to apply any changes to Group Descriptions. This will
globally update the description field for each Master Record. This utility also overwrites any manually entered descriptions.
This utility allows you to select the Master Record being affected. In addition, you can modify the separator used in between Group
descriptions.
Note that typically this process is useful for Control Accounts. However, generally it is not useful to overwrite the descriptions for
Activities and Budget Details that are imported from an external Schedule and Estimate, respectively.
2) Click the Master Table drop-down and select the Master Table where Master Record Descriptions to be automatically generated.
3) If you want to change the default Separator, click in the Separator box and enter one or more Characters, including blank characters.
4) Apply a Filter (on page 193), if necessary.
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Once discrepancies are identified, they can be automatically Reconciled using this utility. For Cost Management package data, the Actuals
History data is utilized to correct data in the Control Accounts data pane. The Control Accounts-Time Phased Cost data is used to correct data
in the Control Accounts-Control Elements subpanes. There is also a choice to Update Time Phased Data, which causes the data in the Control
Accounts-Time Phased Data subpanes to be updated as well. When fixing discrepancies, you can apply a Filter to affect specific Control
Accounts.
When correcting discrepancies with Engineering package data, the historical Actuals maintained in the Engineering Accounts-Time Phased
Hours subpane are used to correct inconsistencies with the Previous Actuals to Dates Hours.
Note that Actual data can be reconciled for Progress Accounts in the Field Management package as well. However, it that must be
performed by using the Field Management Reconcile Actual Data (see "Reconcile Actual Data (Field Management)" on
page 726) utility.
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Control Element Actuals - actuals data from the Control Accounts-Control Element subpanes.
Adjustments to Control Element Actuals - indicates the adjustment amount that will be entered into the Control
Accounts-Control Elements subpanes if the Reconciliation process is run.
b. For Engineering package data, a row for each Engineering Account or Summary Level is displayed.
Previous Actual to Date Hours - actual hours from the Engineering Account and calculated as the difference between the
Actual Hours to Date and the Period Actual Hours.
Actual / Estimate to Complete - actual hours from the Engineering Accounts-Time Phased Hours subpane.
10) If no problem is found, click the Cancel Reconcile icon. Repeat Steps 3 through 7 and change the Control Element Type to review the
remaining Control Elements for Cost Management package data.
11) If there is a problem with the data matching, you can click the Complete Reconcile icon and data is reconciled. Apply a Filter (on page
193), if necessary, so that only certain Control Accounts are affected.
a. Alternatively, you can click the Cancel Reconcile icon, and perform drill-downs to determine the source of the discrepancy by
repeating Steps 2 through 7. However, this time select Control Accounts, or some other lower level, as the Summary Level.
b. Once the actuals discrepancy is found, you can reconcile the data by clicking the Complete Reconcile icon. A correction record is
entered into the specific panes that causes the Actuals history data to be consistent between the various panes.
12) Click the Cancel button on the Reconcile Actual Data form.
Rebaseline
During the execution of a project, there are times when a project's performance to-date is so far removed from the approved plan that most
of the Control Accounts indicate a negative schedule and/or cost variance. The problem with this scenario is that there are so many areas
failing on the project that management cannot focus its attention on just a few of those areas. And, even if they do mitigate some of the
issues with management intervention, most of the project will continue to indicate significant negative variances.
These issues normally occur for a few reasons which may include:
Poor project planning such as an exceedingly low cost estimate or an overly optimistic schedule.
Multiple changes introduced by the client that significantly change the scope and direction of the project.
Unanticipated risks that significantly impact the cost and/or schedule.
Management or the client may decide that the only way to get back to having useful performance reporting is to Rebaseline the project.
Essentially, this is where the total Budgets are replaced with the Estimate at Completion. In addition, the time phased Budgets, prior to the
current Reporting Period, are also replaced with historical Actuals.
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The Rebaseline utility is used for this purpose. This utility, which can be used for either the Cost Management package, Engineering package,
or Field Management package, provides the option to select which Budgets will be affected; either the Baseline Budget, the Approved Budget,
the Control Budget, and/or the Financial Budget. When run, this utility will set the past Reporting Periods for selected Budgets to equal the
previous Period Actuals data in the Control Accounts-Time Phased Data subpane. It will also set the selected Budget to equal the Estimate at
Completion in the Control Accounts-Control Elements subpane. In addition, there is an Earned Value option which will apply the previous
Period Actuals to the Earned Value, essentially calculating a zero cost variance in the previous Reporting Periods.
The table indicates how these calculations affect the Control Elements and Time Phased Data subpanes depending on the options selected.
Budget/EAC Changes that affect the Estimate at Completion are always added into the rebaselined totals. If the Approved Budget is
rebaselined, the Budget/EAC Changes that affect the Approved Budget are added into the rebaselined totals. If the Control Budget is
rebaselined, the Budget/EAC Changes that affect the Control Budget are also added. If the Financial Budget is rebaselined, the Budget/EAC
Changes that affect the Financial Budget are added. Any Budget/EAC Change that is added to the totals can be automatically re-statused to a
new status code using this utility. Re-statusing can be used to indicate the Budget/EAC Change is obsolete.
Executing this utility in the Engineering and Field Management package is similar to how cost data is rebaselined in the Cost Management
package. However, for the Engineering package, engineering hours are rebaselined and in the Field Management package, quantities and
hours are rebaselined. It should be noted that there is not a Financial Budget used in the Engineering or Field Management package, therefore
selecting the Financial Budget as an option will have no effect.
The Cost Performance Reports - Format 1 and Format 2 include three fields to display information about Reprogramming Adjustments
(reprogramming is just another term for rebaselining). These fields include Schedule Variance, Cost Variance, and Budget at Completion
Variance. If you are using these reports and you need to rebaseline (reprogram) your project, then you will need to create three User-defined
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Amounts (see "User-defined Amount" on page 90). PRISM will use the fields to store current Cost Variance, Schedule Variance, and Budget
at Completion Variance data at the time of Rebaselining that is necessary for these reports. This utility includes three drop-downs where the
User-defined Amounts that you defined are selected.
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The table below indicates how these calculations affect the User-defined Amounts in the Control Accounts-Control Element and Control
Accounts-Time Phased Data subpanes depending on the data option selected.
Data
Calculations Performed in Order
Option
Baseline
User-defined Amount for Budget at Completion Variance = Approved Budget - Baseline Budget
Budget
Time Phased User-defined Amount for Schedule Variance = Earned Value - Approved Budget for previous periods; current and future
periods are set to zero
User-defined Amount for Schedule Variance = Sum of Time Phased User-defined Amount for Schedule Variance
Approved
Time Phased User-defined Amount for Cost Variance = Earned Value - Actuals for previous periods; current and future periods are set
Budget
to zero
User-defined Amount for Cost Variance = Sum of Time Phased User-defined Amount for Cost Variance
User-defined Amount for Budget at Completion Variance = Approved Budget - Baseline Budget
Time Phased User-defined Amount for Schedule Variance = Earned Value - Approved Budget for previous periods; current and future
periods are set to zero
Earned User-defined Amount for Schedule Variance = Sum of Time Phased User-defined Amount for Schedule Variance
Value Time Phased User-defined Amount for Cost Variance = Earned Value - Actuals for previous periods; current and future periods are set
to zero
User-defined Amount for Cost Variance = Sum of Time Phased User-defined Amount for Cost Variance
The final function that this utility performs when run is to calculate the Control Account totals. This is the same function that the Calculate
Control Account Totals (on page 394) calculation performs with default settings, which are the Actual Totals, Commitment Totals, and
Progress and Time Phased Totals options.
Note that Rebaseline is only displayed if the Rebaseline Utility option in the Project Settings (on page 202) is enabled.
To Rebaseline a Project:
1) Select Utilities > Shared > Rebaseline.
2) If you have the Cost Management package, the Engineering package and/or the Field Management package enabled on the project,
you need to choose which data to rebaseline. Otherwise, this choice is not available and the Rebaseline utility only affects the
package enabled.
a. Click the Cost Management radio button to rebaseline Cost data.
b. Click the Engineering radio button to rebaseline Engineering hours data.
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c. Click the Field Management radio button to rebaseline Field quantities and hours data.
3) In the Set At Completion Budgets To Estimate At Completion group box, check one or more of the checkboxes to determine which
Budget data is affected by the Rebaselining process utility; Baseline Budget, Approved Budget, Control Budget, or Financial Budget.
4) In the Set Past Time Phased Budgets To Actuals group box, the Baseline Budget, Approved Budget, Control Budget, or Financial
Budget checkboxes are automatically checked based on the items checked in the Set At Completion Budgets to Estimate At
Completion group box. You can choose to uncheck any of the Estimate At Completion or Past Time Phased Data items to tailor how
data is affected.
5) Check the Earned Value checkbox to set the previous Earned Value data to equal the previous Actuals data.
6) If you are using the Cost Performance Reports - Format 1 or 2:
a. Define a User-defined Amounts (see "User-defined Amount" on page 90) label in Cost Management Settings (on page 414) for
Schedule Variance, Cost Variance, and Budget At Completion Variance.
b. Click the Schedule Variance drop-down and select the User-defined Amount label that you defined for Schedule Variance.
c. Click the Cost Variance drop-down and select the User-defined Amount label that you defined for Cost Variance.
d. Click the Budget At Completion Variance drop-down and select the User-defined Amount label that you defined for Budget at
Completion Variance.
7) Click the Reset Status for Budget/EAC Changes drop-down and select a Status ID. Note that the drop-down label changes to Reset
Status for Engineering Changes if Engineering data is being rebaselined. For Field Management, the drop-down label changes to
Reset Status for Field Management Changes.
a. You may want to create a Status ID (see "Change Status" on page 273) specific for this purpose. As an example, it could be
labeled as Obsolete or Rebaseline 1.
b. The Status ID selected should be defined so it does not affect the Approved Budget, Control Budget, Financial Budget, or
Estimate at Completion.
c. If only the Baseline Budgets are being rebaselined, this option does not apply. Budget/EAC Changes may only affect Approved,
Control, Financial, and Estimate at Completion budgets.
8) Click OK.
Validate Data
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When data is entered or modified in PRISM it is always possible to:
Input erroneous data.
Fail to assign non-masked Group Codes to Master Records.
Fail to assign miscellaneous settings, such as assigning a Distribution Curve to a Control Account.
Fail to apply cross-references, such as cross-referencing an Activity to a Control Account.
Sever relationships between records in multiple tables.
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These issues can cause problems with the PRISM data and should be corrected before running reports. PRISM provides a Validation Data
utility which helps you locate and correct invalid and missing data.
The Preview form indicates each Table Labels and Field Labels where Invalid Values are located and it indicates the number of records that
have invalid values. It also indicates the specific record IDs where the invalid values are located.
To Validate Data:
1) Select Utilities > Shared > Validate Data.
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2) Click the Package drop-down, and select a PRISM package in which to validate data.
3) Click the Table Categories drop-down, and select a Table Category that includes the tables and fields to be validated.
4) Check the Validate checkbox to automatically select every Table/Field for validation. Typically, you will validate all items at one time.
However, you could check or uncheck any item to validate selected items.
5) Click the Preview button. You can use the navigation toolbar commands to view, navigate, print, or export this data to a Microsoft
Excel file.
6) Use the Preview form to find and fix data problems. This form uses a tree structure; the tree can be expanded and contracted using
the "+" and "-" icons next to the Table and Field labels.
a. Only the Table/Fields are displayed that have Invalid Records.
b. For each Table/Field, a Count of Invalid Values is displayed.
c. The records affected are displayed.
7) Click the Close button to close each Preview form.
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Note that if the Engineering and Field Management packages are enabled on the project, they must also be in Reporting Period 3
or later for this utility to Combine Reporting Periods.
When combining periods, the earliest of the Cost Management, Engineering, and Field Management Reporting Periods can be combined. For
example, if the Cost Management Reporting Period was in Period 5, and the Field Management Reporting Period was in Period 4, only Periods
1 through 3 could be combined because the latest Field Management Reporting Period to be closed was Period 3.
Cost (Utilities)
The Cost ribbon group on the Utilities tab is where utility commands associated with the Cost Management package and specifically cost data
are found.
Copy Amounts
The Copy Amounts utility is used to copy a Control Account's total and time phased data from one data type to another. For instance, you can
copy the current Baseline Budget into a User-Defined Amount used to hold the Original Budget. The fields that data can be copied into
include:
Baseline Budget
Approved Budget
Control Budget
Financial Budget
Estimate at Completion
User-defined Amounts
The fields that can be copied from include:
Actual to Date
Incurred to Date
Total Commitment
Earned Value
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To Copy Amounts:
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1) Prior to using this feature, Archive (on page 213) the PRISM project. This is optional but suggested.
2) Select Utilities > Cost > Copy Amounts.
3) Click the Copy From drop-down and select a Data Field that data is copied from.
4) Click the Copy To drop-down and select a Data Field that data is copied into.
5) Check the Copy Quantity, Hour, And Cost Totals checkbox to copy quantity, hour, and cost data.
6) Check the Copy Time Phased Data checkbox to copy the time phased data values.
a. Click the Start Period drop-down and select the Reporting Period that is the beginning of the range of periods to be copied. If
this is left blank then the data copied begins with the project's first Reporting Period.
b. Click the Finish Period drop-down and select the Reporting Period that is the end of the range of periods to be copied. If this is
left blank then the data copied ends with the project's last Reporting Period.
7) If you want to calculate the Total Values as a summarized value of the Time Phased Data, then check the Set Totals Equal to Sum of
Time Phased Data checkbox.
Note that the Copy Time Phase Data checkbox must be enabled for this checkbox to be accessible.
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Note that Control Accounts that have different currencies cannot be combined. When combining Control Accounts, only the
Accounts with the Base Currency will be displayed in the picklist.
You must have Run Process permissions for the project for this utility to be enabled.
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Note that this utility is not enabled until the project is in the second Reporting Period. In addition, you must have Run Process
permissions for the project for this utility to be enabled.
This utility could also be used to move historical actual data from one Control Account to another if it was determined the charges applied to
the wrong Control Account. However, a simpler method, and one that does not affect history, is to move the data using the Current Period
Actuals data pane. The total cost to move is applied as a negative value to the Control Account where the data is being moved from and
adding a positive total cost to the Control Account where the data is being moved to.
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18) Click in the Equipment/Material ID cell and enter an Equipment ID or a Material ID the Period Actuals are associated with.
19) Click the Vendor ID and enter a Vendor ID.
20) Click the Change ID drop-down and enter a Change ID that the Period Actuals are associated with.
21) Click in the Reference Code box and enter a Reference Code, which could be some alternative coding such as charge codes from a
contractor's financial system.
22) Click in the Original Currency Cost cell and enter the Actual Cost in its Original Currency, if it is different from the Control Account's
currency.
a. This field is disabled if the project is not setup to be a Multi-currency project.
23) If the project tracks Multiple Currencies, click the Original Currency ID drop-down and select a Currency ID.
a. This field is disabled if the project is not setup to be a Multi-currency project.
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b. If this selection is left blank then PRISM assumes the currency to be the Base Currency defined in the Project Settings form.
24) Repeat Steps 2 through 18 for additional changes.
25) Click OK.
Note that the historical change process will identify errors with the Reporting Periods, Control Accounts IDs, and Control Element
IDs entered in the Actuals Changes grid if matching codes do not exist in the project.
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Note that Risk Hours and Risk Costs are not copied. These are the values that the project would be subjected to if the risk is left
unmitigated. Whereas, the Mitigation Hours and Mitigation Costs define the effort it would take to mitigate or eliminate the risk.
This calculation also identifies the Budget/EAC Changes as a Risk Change. This calculation always replaces the data in the Budget/EAC
Changes-Control Accounts Breakdown subpane with the data from the Risks-Items subpane.
Note that the Cost Elements for Budget Details will not be combined, only the ones used as a cross-reference. These changes will
appear in the Control Account-Budget Details subpane.
You must have Run Process permissions for the project for this utility to be enabled, and also have Exclusive Use of the project.
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Budget (Utilities)
The Budget ribbon group on the Utilities tab is where utility commands associated with the Cost Management package and specifically budget
data are found.
After defining the Budget Details Account/Element ID field you then determine how the Control Account is to be populated in the field
selected.
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9) Click OK. The Masking form closes and the masking positions and constants are displayed in the Mask cell. Positions are indicated by
the position selected. A range of positions is indicated by the first and last digit in the range separated by a hyphen. Discontinuous
ranges are separated by commas. Constant values are displayed with quotes on either side of a constant value or a range of constant
values. As an example, if digits one through three are masked, as well as digit 8, with the constant values of XX at the end, then the
code displayed is 1-3,8,"XX".
10) Click one of the Build Mode radio buttons:
a. Replace - deletes all of the existing cross-references and replaces them with new cross-references. This is the default mode.
b. Replace If Empty - enters a cross-reference where no current cross-reference exists.
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c. Append - creates cross-references that are built-up from a series of uses of the Build Account ID utility. If need be, use this
function multiple times to generate a built-up Control Account ID.
11) Apply a Filter (on page 193) to limit the Budget Details affected.
12) Click Preview to check if the data is being modified correctly. If so, click the Complete Build icon.
a. The Control Account ID field indicates the existing value in the selected Account/Element ID field.
b. The New Value field indicates the value that will be entered in the Account/Element ID field.
13) As an alternative, you can bypass the Preview function and click OK. The utility will run without being interrupted with a Preview
screen.
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Note that a Currency ID assigned to a Budget Detail-Cost Element will override the Currency ID assigned to the Budget Detail
record.
When globally assigning Currency IDs, it is highly likely that you will need to apply a Filter so that only specific Budget Detail records are
affected.
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Schedule (Utilities)
The Schedule ribbon group on the Utilities tab is where utility commands associated with the Cost Management package and specifically
schedule data are found.
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5) Check a Constant checkbox under a Mask/Constant Values box where you want to enter a constant value. The Mask/Constant Values
box is enabled. Click in the Mask/Constant Values box and enter a single character Constant Value.
a. Additional constant values can be added, as necessary.
b. Constant values can be added prior to, in front of, in between, or after masked positions.
6) If you need to remove the current masking, click the Clear Mask button.
7) Click in the Example Source ID box, enter an example Master Record ID that is representative of the Master Record IDs to be entered,
and press ENTER. The masked portion of this example is automatically displayed in the Group ID Generated box. This is an aid to help
you understand which portion of the Master Record ID is being masked.
Note that if the Source Field is set to a different ID, then the example ID entered will be representative of that field.
8) Click OK. The Masking form closes and the masking positions and constants are displayed in the Mask cell. Positions are indicated by
the position selected. A range of positions is indicated by the first and last digit in the range separated by a hyphen. Discontinuous
ranges are separated by commas. Constant values are displayed with quotes on either side of a constant value or a range of constant
values. As an example, if digits one through three are masked, as well as digit 8, with the constant values of XX at the end, then the
code displayed is 1-3,8,"XX".
9) Check the Create Missing Control Accounts checkbox if you want new Control Accounts to be created if they do not currently exist.
10) Apply a Filter (on page 193) to limit the Activities affected.
11) Click OK.
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Engineering (Utilities)
The Engineering ribbon group on the Utilities tab is where utility commands associated with the Engineering package are found.
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The Populate Account Milestones utility is used to quickly perform this process, without having to access each Engineering Account. It has
three options that allow you to tailor how the milestones will be populated so they do not affect or delete existing Engineering Class
Milestones inappropriately.
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5) Check a Constant checkbox under a Mask/Constant Values box where you want to enter a constant value. The Mask/Constant Values
box is enabled. Click in the Mask/Constant Values box and enter a single character Constant Value.
a. Additional constant values can be added, as necessary.
b. Constant values can be added prior to, in front of, in between, or after masked positions.
6) If you need to remove the current masking, click the Clear Mask button.
7) Click in the Example Source ID box, enter an example Master Record ID that is representative of the Master Record IDs to be entered,
and press ENTER. The masked portion of this example is automatically displayed in the Group ID Generated box. This is an aid to help
you understand which portion of the Master Record ID is being masked.
Note that if the Source Field is set to a different ID, then the example ID entered will be representative of that field.
8) Click OK. The Masking form closes and the masking positions and constants are displayed in the Mask cell. Positions are indicated by
the position selected. A range of positions is indicated by the first and last digit in the range separated by a hyphen. Discontinuous
ranges are separated by commas. Constant values are displayed with quotes on either side of a constant value or a range of constant
values. As an example, if digits one through three are masked, as well as digit 8, with the constant values of XX at the end, then the
code displayed is 1-3,8,"XX".
9) Click one of the Build Mode radio buttons:
a. Append - creates cross-references that are built-up from a series of uses of the Build Control Account ID utility. If need be, use
this function multiple times to generate a built-up Control Account ID.
b. Replace - deletes all of the existing cross-references and replaces them with new cross-references. This is the default mode.
c. Replace If Empty - enters a cross-reference where no current cross-reference exists.
10) Apply a Filter (on page 193) to limit the Engineering Accounts affected.
11) Click Preview to check if the data is being modified correctly. If so, click the Complete Build icon.
a. The Control Account ID field indicates the existing value in the selected Account/Element ID field.
b. The New Value field indicates the value that will be entered in the Account/Element ID field.
12) As an alternative, you can bypass the Preview function and click OK. The utility will run uninterrupted with a Preview screen.
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8) Click OK. The Masking form closes and the masking positions and constants are displayed in the Mask cell. Positions are indicated by
the position selected. A range of positions is indicated by the first and last digit in the range separated by a hyphen. Discontinuous
ranges are separated by commas. Constant values are displayed with quotes on either side of a constant value or a range of constant
values. As an example, if digits one through three are masked, as well as digit 8, with the constant values of XX at the end, then the
code displayed is 1-3,8,"XX".
9) Click one of the Build Mode radio buttons:
a. Append - creates cross-references that are built-up from a series of uses of the Build Control Account ID utility. If need be, use
this function multiple times to generate a built-up Control Account ID.
b. Replace - deletes all of the existing cross-references and replaces them with new cross-references. This is the default mode.
c. Replace If Empty - enters a cross-reference where no current cross-reference exists.
10) Apply a Filter (on page 193) to limit the Engineering Accounts affected.
11) Click Preview to check if the data is being modified correctly. If so, click the Complete Build icon.
a. The Control Account ID field indicates the existing value in the selected Account/Element ID field.
b. The New Value field indicates the value that will be entered in the Account/Element ID field.
12) As an alternative, you can bypass the Preview function and click OK. The utility will run without being interrupted with a Preview
screen.
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Note that when Line Items are copied into a Request for Quotation with existing Line Items, PRISM will automatically assign
extension values to Line Items so that Line Item numbers are not duplicated. For instance, if 002 is already used in the Request
for Quotation, the Line Item 002 in the Purchase Requisition will be renamed to 002-1. Also note that if a Requisition Item does
not have an Item number assigned, it cannot be copied to a Request for Quotation.
To Copy Request for Quotation/Purchase Order Line Items to Another Request for Quotation/Purchase Order:
1) Select Utilities > Purchase Orders > Copy PO Items.
2) Click the Purchase Order/RFQ To Copy From drop-down and select a Request for Quotation/Purchase Order ID which is the source
to copy Line Items from.
3) In the Line Items To Copy area, check the Copy checkbox for each Line Item intended to be copied.
a. You can check the checkbox next to the Copy label to select every Line Item.
4) Click the Purchase Order/RFQ To Copy To drop-down and select a Request for Quotation/Purchase Order ID which is the target
where Line Items are copied to.
5) If the Request for Quotation/Purchase Order selected contains Line Items, you can check the Delete checkbox for any Line Item, and
that Line Item will be removed from the Request for Quotation/Purchase Order.
a. You can check the checkbox next to the Delete label to select every Line Item.
6) Check the Remove Line Items From Source Purchase Order/RFQ After Copying checkbox if you want Lines Items in the source
Request for Quotation/Purchase Order to be removed.
7) Click OK.
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Note that when Line Items are copied into a Request for Quotation or Purchase Order with existing Line Items, PRISM will
automatically assign extension values to Line Items so that Line Item Numbers are not duplicated. For instance, if 002 is already
used in the Request for Quotation, the Line Item 002 from the source Request for Quotation or Purchase Order will be renamed
to 002-1. Also note that if a Line Item does not have an Item number assigned, it cannot be copied to a Purchase Order/Request
for Quotation.
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Contracts (Utilities)
The Contracts ribbon group on the Utilities tab is where utility commands associated with the Contracts package and specifically Contract
data is found.
To Copy Request for Proposal/Contract Pay Items to another Request for Proposal/Contract:
1) Select Utilities > Contracts > Copy Contract Items.
2) Click the Contract/RFP To Copy From drop-down and select a Request for Proposal/Contract ID which is the source to copy Pay Items
from.
3) In the Pay Items To Copy area, check the Copy checkbox for each Pay Item intended to be copied.
a. You can check the checkbox next to the Copy label to select every Pay Item.
4) Click the Contract/RFP To Copy To drop-down and select a Request for Proposal/Contract ID which is the target where Pay Items are
copied to.
5) If the Request for Proposal or Contract selected contains Pay Items, you can check the Delete checkbox for any Pay Item, and that Pay
Item will be removed from the Request for Proposal or Contract.
a. You can check the checkbox next to the Delete label to select every Pay Item.
6) Check the Remove Pay Items From Source Contract/RFP After Copying checkbox if you want Pay Items in the source Request for
Proposal or Contract to be removed.
7) Click OK.
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Note that when Pay Items are copied into a Request for Proposal or Contract with existing Pay Items, PRISM will automatically
assign extension values to Pay Items so that Pay Item Numbers are not duplicated. For instance, if 002 is already used in the
Request for Proposal, the Pay Item 002 from the source Request for Proposal or Contract will be renamed to 002-1.
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Field Management
The Field Management ribbon group on the Utilities tab is where utility commands associated with the Field Management package and
specifically Field data is found.
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8) Click OK. The Masking form closes and the masking positions and constants are displayed in the Mask cell. Positions are indicated by
the position selected. A range of positions is indicated by the first and last digit in the range separated by a hyphen. Discontinuous
ranges are separated by commas. Constant values are displayed with quotes on either side of a constant value or a range of constant
values. As an example, if digits one through three are masked, as well as digit 8, with the constant values of XX at the end, then the
code displayed is 1-3,8,"XX".
9) Click one of the Build Mode radio buttons:
a. Append - creates cross-references that are built-up from a series of uses of the Build Control Account ID utility. If need be, use
this function multiple times to generate a built-up Control Account ID.
b. Replace - deletes all of the existing cross-references and replaces them with new cross-references. This is the default mode.
c. Replace If Empty - enters a cross-reference where no current cross-reference exists.
10) Apply a Filter (on page 193) to limit the Engineering Accounts affected.
11) Click Preview to check if the data is being modified correctly. If so, click the Complete Build icon.
a. The Control Account ID field indicates the existing value in the selected Account/Element ID field.
b. The New Value field indicates the value that will be entered in the Account/Element ID field.
12) As an alternative, you can bypass the Preview function and click OK. The utility will run without being interrupted with a Preview
screen.
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8) Click OK. The Masking form closes and the masking positions and constants are displayed in the Mask cell. Positions are indicated by
the position selected. A range of positions is indicated by the first and last digit in the range separated by a hyphen. Discontinuous
ranges are separated by commas. Constant values are displayed with quotes on either side of a constant value or a range of constant
values. As an example, if digits one through three are masked, as well as digit 8, with the constant values of XX at the end, then the
code displayed is 1-3,8,"XX".
9) Click one of the Build Mode radio buttons:
a. Append - creates cross-references that are built-up from a series of uses of the Build Control Account ID utility. If need be, use
this function multiple times to generate a built-up Control Account ID.
b. Replace - deletes all of the existing cross-references and replaces them with new cross-references. This is the default mode.
c. Replace If Empty - enters a cross-reference where no current cross-reference exists.
10) Apply a Filter (on page 193) to limit the Engineering Accounts affected.
11) Click Preview to check if the data is being modified correctly. If so, click the Complete Build icon.
a. The Control Account ID field indicates the existing value in the selected Account/Element ID field.
b. The New Value field indicates the value that will be entered in the Account/Element ID field.
12) As an alternative, you can bypass the Preview function and click OK. The utility will run without being interrupted with a Preview
screen.
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6) Click the Preview button and review the data in the form.
a. A row for each Progress Account at the Summary Level selected is displayed.
Time Phased Actuals - actuals data from the Progress Accounts-Time Phased Data subpanes.
Account Actuals - actuals data from the Progress Accounts-Control Element subpanes.
Adjustments to Time Phased Actuals - indicates the adjustment amount that will be entered into the Progress
Accounts-Time Phased Data subpane if the Reconciliation process is run.
7) If no problem is found, click the Cancel Reconcile icon.
8) Repeat Steps 3 through 7 and change the Control Element Type to review the remaining Control Elements.
9) If there is a problem with the data matching, you can click the Complete Reconcile icon and data is reconciled. Apply a Filter (on page
193), if necessary, so that only certain Control Accounts are affected.
a. Alternatively, you can click the Cancel Reconcile icon, and perform drill-downs to determine the source of the discrepancy by
repeating Steps 2 through 7. However, this time select Progress Accounts, or some other lower level, as the Summary Level.
b. Once the actuals discrepancy is found, you can reconcile the data by clicking the Complete Reconcile icon. A correction record is
entered into the specific panes that causes the Actuals history data to be consistent between the various panes.
10) Click the Cancel button on the Reconcile Actual Data form.
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Note that this utility is not enabled until the project is in the second Reporting Period. In addition, you must have Run Process
permissions for the project for this utility to be enabled.
This utility could also be used to move historical actual data from one Progress Account to another if it was determined the charges applied to
the wrong Account. However, a simpler method, and one that does not affect history, is to move the data using the Current Period Actuals
data pane. The total quantities/hours to move is applied as a negative value to the Progress Account to which the data is being moved from
and adds a positive total quantities/hours to the Progress Account to which the data is being moved to.
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7) The Data Source is HIS, which identifies the record as Historical Data.
8) Click the Period drop-down, and select the Reporting Period in which to change Actual data.
9) If Quantity data needs to be updated, click in the Quantity cell and enter the Actual Quantity for the period.
10) If Hours data needs to be updated, click in the Hours cell and enter the Actual Hours for the period.
11) Click in the Post Date cell and enter the Date the Actuals were posted.
12) If the project uses Resource Planning by employee and the Actuals being entered are internal labor charges, click the Employee ID
drop-down and select an Employee.
13) Click in the Equipment/Material ID cell and enter an Equipment ID or a Material ID the Period Actuals are associated with.
14) Click the Vendor ID drop-down and enter a Vendor ID.
15) Click the Field Management Change ID drop-down and select a Field Management Change ID, if applicable.
16) Click in the Reference Code box and enter a Reference Code, which could be some alternative coding such as charge codes from a
contractor's financial system.
17) Click the Period drop-down and select a Reporting Period.
Note that the historical change process will identify errors with the Reporting Periods and Progress Account IDs entered in the
Actuals Changes grid if matching codes do not exist in the project.
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Reports
G2
The Reports tab is where commands to produce project and enterprise reports and graphs from data in PRISM are found. This includes
grouping reports into batches so they can be routinely printed, defining the page setup that is common to all reports on a project, and
generating new types of reports using the report writer.
Project/Enterprise Reports
G2
PRISM provides hundreds of standard reports that include several reporting options to select from. The selected options can be saved as a
Report Specification, and multiple Report Specifications can be generated from one standard report. Any Report Specification can be accessed
at a later date to be displayed, printed, or saved in a separate format, such as PDF.
Both Project Reports and Enterprise Reports are generated utilizing the same methodology. There are two types of standard reports: Tabular
displays data in a table format and Graphical displays data in chart format. In a few cases, there are reports that combine both tabular and
graphical data.
Report Panes
The Project and Enterprise Reports are divided into four panes.
Report List - upper-left pane
Specification List - lower-left pane
Report Specification - upper-right pane
Filter and Batch - lower-right pane
To generate a report you must first select a standard report from the Report List. This is a tree structure which categorizes the multitude of
reports. The Graphical reports are found at the bottom of the list. Only the reports that you have permission to access are displayed.
Under each category you will see the Report Title for each report. Once a report is located, you can click the Report Title. By doing so, the
Report Specification form for that particular report is displayed. If there are any saved Report Specifications, the first specification is displayed.
The Specification List is a list of every Report Specification that has been created and saved for the report selected in the Report Menu. This is
similar to a Navigation Pane (on page 152) and includes a navigation toolbar, allowing you to add and delete specifications, print or export
the list of specifications, etc.
A report's Specification List is empty until the first Report Specification is created. To create a new Report Specification, you must enter a
Specification ID and Description. You can access an existing Report Specification by selecting a Specification ID from the Specification List.
Any Report Specification can be added to one or more batches. A batch is a collection of several Report Specifications that can be printed all
together, eliminating the need to individually open and print each specification.
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Each Report Specification allows you to choose from several options in order to customize your specific report. Options are enabled or
disabled based on the standard report selected.
Data Selections
For some cost reports, you can choose the type of budget data to display by selecting either Approved or Control budget data from the
Budget Type option. In addition, you can choose the Data Type to display which includes either Cost, Hours, or Quantity data. You can also
select the Actual Type to display which includes either Actuals or Incurred data.
For some schedule reports, you can choose the type of resource data to display by selecting either Qty/Hours, Cost, or Extended Cost from the
Resource Data option.
The manner in which numeric data are displayed, whether cost, hours, or quantities is adjustable using two options. The Show Data In option
divides each numeric value by a power of ten unit (1, 10, 100, 1000, 10,000, 100,000, 1,000,000, 10,000,000, 100,000,000, 1,000,000,000).
The unit selected from this option is displayed in the report header. The Decimal Places option selects the number of decimal places (0, 1, 2,
3) in which numeric data are reported.
By default, the cost data are displayed using the project's base currency for project reports and the enterprise's base currency for enterprise
reports. For Multi-currency projects, you can select a different Currency ID in which to display costs.
Project Reports that display Control Element details have the option to display this data using either the project's Control Elements or
corresponding Enterprise Elements. By default, Control Elements are displayed, but can be changed by enabling the Use Enterprise Elements
option.
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By default, Quantity values are not totaled in any subtotal or the report total rows. This is because the report may be totaling different types
of quantities with different units of measure. If so, the quantity totals would be meaningless. By enabling the Total Quantity, the quantity
values will be totaled. You just need to be sure that records with the same type of quantity are grouped together.
No Title Suppresses the Group ID - only the Group Description is displayed Suppresses the Group Title - only the Group Description is displayed
Page Break Places report totals on a separate page Starts a new page for each group
No Total Suppresses the report totals Suppresses the group level subtotals
There is also an option to suppress Group Headers/Subtotals for records that do not have a Group Assignment. When the Suppress Grouping
Header/Subtotal If ID is Empty is enabled, if a record is not assigned a Group ID for the selected Group/WBS field as a Grouping, it will appear
without a header and subtotal.
Note that Combined Periods are defined in the Reporting Period and Enterprise Period forms.
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When selecting Start and Finish Periods for time phased data, the accumulated cost in the Total column is, by default, the total value
regardless of the periods selected. By checking the Total Periods option, the Total column indicates the total value for the time phased data
bounded by the Start and Finish Periods.
By default, time phased data reports display data as the values for that period. By enabling the Show To Date option, the value displayed in
any period is the cumulative of all the prior and current period values.
Time phased data reports, by default, do not display the Estimate to Complete and do not display the Earned Value data past the current
period. The Show Forecast option enables this forecast data to be displayed.
A Filter (on page 193) can also be applied to limit the records included in the report. It is recommended that Enterprise Reports should not be
filtered by Reporting Period. The Reporting Periods available in the Filter are Project Reporting Periods.
Filtering Options
A Filter (on page 193) can be applied to any Report in the same manner that you would apply a filter to locate data.
You can also apply a Control Element or Enterprise Element filter to further drill down data displayed in Project and Enterprise Reports.
Project Reports that display Control Element details have the option to display this data using either the project's Control Elements or
corresponding Enterprise Elements. This filter allows certain Control Elements/Enterprise Elements to be included or excluded in reports. By
default, all Control/Enterprise Elements are included.
For Project Reports, by default, Control Elements are displayed, but this can be changed by enabling the User Enterprise Elements option.
Note that you can open multiple Print Preview forms at one time, each displaying a different Report Specification.
You do not have to use the Print Preview form to print reports. There is a separate Print Report command found on the navigation toolbar.
G2 G2
Reports generated in PRISM contain a Watermark as proof that the data displayed in the report comes directly for the PRISM database
G2
and is unaltered. The watermark is simply the word PRISM , which is placed in the bottom center of the report in a light gray font. The Print
G2 G2
Preview form in PRISM has features that allow these reports to be exported to Microsoft Excel or Word. Any PRISM report that is exported
will NOT have this watermark applied. The reason for this is that reports exported to Microsoft Excel or Word can be modified using these
other applications. Therefore, the absence of the watermark indicates the data are circumspect, because of this possibility of alteration.
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3) If one or more Report Specifications were previously created for the report, the first Report Specification is displayed in the data
pane. If you want to choose a different Report Specification, select the desired Report Specification ID from the Specification List.
4) If no Report Specification currently exists for the report, click in the Specification ID in the Data pane and enter a Report Specification
ID.
5) Click in the Description box and enter a Report Specification Description.
6) If you planning on generating PDF files of the report, click the File Name browse icon and enter a File Name and select a File Location
where the PDF will be saved.
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3) Click the Actual Type drop-down and select either Actual or Incurred data to be displayed.
a. Actuals is the default setting unless the Default Actual Data option in the Cost Management Settings (on page 414) is set to
Incurred.
4) Click the Resource Data drop-down and select either Qty/Hours, which is the default, Cost, or Extended Cost to define the type of
resource data to be displayed in certain schedule reports.
5) Click the Show Data In drop-down and select a power of ten Unit to indicate how numeric values are displayed. By default the unit is
1.
6) Click the Decimal Places drop-down and select from 0 to 3 decimal places to indicate how numeric values are displayed.
7) Check the Use Enterprise Elements checkbox to display Enterprise Elements instead of Control Elements.
8) Check the Total Quantity checkbox to total quantity values in every subtotal and the report total rows.
9) If you want to display cost data in a currency other than the Base Currency, click the Currency ID and select a different Currency ID.
a. The Multi-Currency option must be enabled for the project (see "Projects" on page 255).
b. Currency Exchange Rates (see "Currencies" on page 601) must be defined.
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5) By default, the report displays each period's data in a column. To combine multiple periods of data into a column in the report, click
the Combined Periods drop-down and select one of the two Combined Periods Titles.
6) Check the Total Periods checkbox to display the total value of the time phased data based on the range of periods selected.
7) Check the Show To Date checkbox to display cumulative data as opposed to period data.
8) Check the Show Forecast checkbox to show the forecast data which includes the Estimate to Complete and the Earned Value past the
current period.
5) To use Enterprise Elements for a Project Report, check the Use Enterprise Elements checkbox in the Project Reports data pane.
Control Accounts
Report Title Description
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Displays each Control Account and any cross-referenced Budget Details. Changes assigned to each Budget Details
Baseline Budget Details
are displayed.
Displays total budgeted hours and costs for each Employee and/or Category by Control Account. Labor plans can
Project Plan
be displayed with or without Non-Labor plans.
Displays total budgeted hours and costs for each Control Account by Employee and/or Category. Labor plans can
Employee Project Plan
be displayed with or without Non-Labor plans.
Control Account/Activity Displays each Schedule Activity and any cross-referenced Control Accounts. Each Activity's and Control Account's
Cross-reference current and approved dates, budget weight, and percent complete are displayed.
Displays cost and funding data including the funding variance which is the difference between Funding and the
Funding Comparison
EAC. Data is grouped by Funding Source.
Displays cost and funding data including the funding variance which is the difference between Funding and the
Funding Split
EAC.
There are two reports. One displays Earned Value data including Cost and Schedule Variances in terms of cost and
percentage. An asterisk (*) next to one of these variances indicates the variances that exceeded the Variance
Variance Explanations Thresholds.
The other report displays two Compare Fields and the variance of two fields in terms of cost and percentage.
Displays each Control Account and any cross-referenced Contract or Purchase Order data generated from the
Contract And Purchase Order Detail
Contracts Management package.
Period Actuals Displays each Period Actuals entry by Control Account.
Actuals History #1 Two different reports that display each Actual History record. One report displays records by Control Account, the
Actuals History #2 other by Reporting Period then Control Account.
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Change Management
Report Title Description
Displays Change Summary information, including the budget changes, number of budget changes, and number of
Change Management Summary
EAC changes for each Control Account.
Displays Budget/EAC Changes by Control Account. The last column indicates the baseline values and the change
Budget/EAC Change Breakdown
values. The "=" equal sign indicates the sum of the baseline and change values.
Displays Actuals data for Budget/EAC Changes by Control Account. Report can display either Actual or Incurred data
Budget/EAC Change Actuals
and indicates the status of each change.
Displays how each Budget/EAC Change affects Control Accounts/Control Elements and indicates the current status
Budget/EAC Changes
of each change.
Displays each Budget/EAC Change, the current status of each change, and the total value of each change in terms of
Budget/EAC Change Summary
quantity, hours, and cost.
Displays the Contingency Cost Element ID and its associated Budget/EAC Change record and how it affects the
Contingency Draw-down
Control Account's Baseline Budget.
Trend Breakdown Displays Trends by Control Account and their potential affect on the Approved Budget and Current EAC.
Trends Displays how each Trend potentially affects Control Accounts/Control Elements.
Trend Summary Displays each Trend and the total value of each trend in terms of quantity, hours, and cost.
Risk Mitigation Displays Risks / Risk Mitigation data by Control Account.
Similar to the EAC Analysis report. It includes two fill-in-the-blanks to enter either the ETC update or the EAC
Progress Update
update.
Displays the Schedule Activities assigned to each Control Account and the percent complete. In addition, the
Physical Progress physical progress method assigned to each Control Account is displayed as well as the weight factors used in
deriving the Control Account's composite percent complete.
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Chapter 21 Reports
Displays Schedule and Actual percent complete by Control Account. The Actual percent complete is the Control
Progress Account's Percent Complete. The Schedule percent complete is calculated: Scheduled Costs to Date / Budget at
Completion.
Productivity Displays period, to-date, and at-completion performance data; primarily the CPI.
Performance Displays period, to-date, and at-completion performance data.
Displays to-date performance data, the SPI, CPI, and TCPI data, and the EAC including the calculated C&S EAC and
the CPI EAC. EAC C&S is calculated as Actual To Date + ((Approved Budget at Completion-Earned To Date)/{(Earned
Performance Index
To Date x Earned To Date/[(Actual To Date x Budget To Date)]}. EAC CPI is calculated as (Approved Budget at
Completion x Actual To Date)/Earned To Date.
Time Phase Data Displays up to 6 lines of User-defined Budget data by Control Account by Reporting Period
Time Phased Budget Displays Budget data by Control Account / Control Element by Reporting Period.
Time Phased Performance Displays Budget, Earned, and Actual data by Control Account by Reporting Period.
Displays data by Control Account by Reporting Period. Budget, Earned, and Actual data by cost, hours, and FTEs are
Time Phased Head Count
indicated. FTEs = Hours / FTE hours.
Time Phased Funding Displays Funding data by Control Account by Reporting Period. Budget and Actual data is also included.
Displays budgeted hours or costs by Reporting Period for each Employee and/or Category, categorized by Control
Time Phased Plan
Account.
Employee Time Phased Plan Displays budgeted hours or costs by Reporting Period for each Control Account by Employee and/or Category.
Displays budgeted hours or costs by Reporting Period for each Employee and/or Category, categorized by Control
Employee Plan Versus Actual
Account.
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Integrated Program Management Report Exports Integrated Program Management Reports (Formats 1, 2, 3, and/or 4) to an XML file so it can be imported
- XML Export into external applications.
Standard Format 1 Integrated Program Management Report required on various United States governmental
contracts. Data is displayed by Control Account but includes a summary option to summarize data by the WBS,
Integrated Program Management Report
which is the typical approach, or by using any group coding. Cost Elements (see "Control Elements" on page 600)
- Format 1
are setup to collect costs for Cost of Money, General and Administration, Undistributed Budget, and Management
Reserve and assigned in Cost Management Settings (on page 414) so they are displayed properly in reports.
Integrated Program Management Similar to Format 1 with the inclusion of columns for cost and schedule performance indices and planned and
Report- Format 1 actual percent complete.
Integrated Program Management Report Similar to Format 1 with the inclusion of columns for reprogramming. This report works in conjunction with the
- Format 1R Rebaseline utility.
Standard Format 2 Integrated Program Management Report required on various United States governmental
contracts. Data is displayed by Control Account but includes a summary option to summarize data by the OBS,
Integrated Program Management Report
which is typically developed using group coding. Cost Elements (see "Control Elements" on page 600) are setup to
- Format 2
collect costs for Cost of Money, General and Administration, Undistributed Budget, and Management Reserve and
assigned in Cost Management Settings (on page 414) so they are displayed properly in reports.
Integrated Program Management Report Similar to Format 2 with the inclusion of columns for reprogramming. This report works in conjunction with the
- Format 2R Rebaseline utility.
Standard Format 3 Integrated Program Management Report required on various United States governmental
Integrated Program Management Report
contracts. Data is displayed by Control Account but includes a summary option to summarize data using group
- Format 3
coding. This report indicates the changes to the baseline by Reporting Period.
Standard Format 4 Integrated Program Management Report required on various United States governmental
Integrated Program Management Report
contracts. Data is displayed by Control Account but includes a summary option to summarize data using group
- Format 4
coding. This report indicates the forecast by Reporting Period.
Standard Format 5 Integrated Program Management Report required on various United States governmental
Integrated Program Management Report
contracts. Variance Analysis data is displayed in a narrative format to provide an explanation of variances on
- Format 5
Control Account data.
Standard Format 1 Cost Performance Report required on various United States governmental contracts. Data is
displayed by Control Account but includes a summary option to summarize data by the WBS, which is the typical
Cost Performance Report - Format 1 approach, or by using any group coding. Cost Elements (see "Control Elements" on page 600) are setup to collect
costs for Cost of Money, General and Administration, Undistributed Budget, and Management Reserve and
assigned in Cost Management Settings (on page 414) so they are displayed properly in reports.
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Chapter 21 Reports
Similar to Format 1 with the inclusion of columns for cost and schedule performance indices and planned and
Cost Performance Report - Format 1a
actual percent complete.
Similar to Format 1 with the inclusion of columns for reprogramming. This report works in conjunction with the
Cost Performance Report - Format 1R
Rebaseline utility.
Standard Format 2 Cost Performance Report required on various United States governmental contracts. Data is
displayed by Control Account but includes a summary option to summarize data by the OBS, which is typically
Cost Performance Report - Format 2 developed using group coding. Cost Elements (see "Control Elements" on page 600) are setup to collect costs for
Cost of Money, General and Administration, Undistributed Budget, and Management Reserve and assigned in Cost
Management Settings (on page 414) so they are displayed properly in reports.
Similar to Format 2 with the inclusion of columns for reprogramming. This report works in conjunction with the
Cost Performance Report - Format 2R
Rebaseline utility.
Standard Format 3 Cost Performance Report required on various United States governmental contracts. Data is
Cost Performance Report - Format 3 displayed by Control Account but includes a summary option to summarize data using group coding. This report
indicates the changes to the baseline by Reporting Period.
Standard Format 4 Cost Performance Report required on various United States governmental contracts. Data is
Cost Performance Report - Format 4 displayed by Control Account but includes a summary option to summarize data using group coding. This report
indicates the forecast by Reporting Period.
Standard Format 5 Cost Performance Report required on various United States governmental contracts. Variance
Cost Performance Report - Format 5
Analysis data is displayed in a narrative format to provide an explanation of variances on Control Account data.
Budget Details
Report Title Description
Budget Details Displays hours, quantities, and Cost Elements for each Budget Detail. Determine which Control Elements to display.
Displays hours, quantities, and Cost Elements for each Budget Detail. Unit prices calculated for each Cost Element.
Budget Detail Unit Prices
Determine which Control Elements to display.
Displays hours, quantities, and total cost of Budget Details and groups Budget Details by Unit of Measure.
Budget Detail Quantities
Determine which Control Elements to display.
Displays each Control Account and any cross-referenced Budget Details. Each Budget Detail's and Control Account's
Budget Detail Control Accounts
quantity, hours, and Cost Element data is displayed. Determine which Control Elements to display.
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User Guide
Schedule
Report Title Description
Activity Schedule Displays each Schedule Activity and the associated current schedule dates and percent complete.
Compares the schedule dates and percent complete for each Schedule Activity and displays any variances. Select
Schedule Comparison
between two types of dates; Baseline, Approved, or Current.
Displays the Resources by Schedule Activity. Determine if resource data displays either Quantity, Cost, or Extended
Activity/Resource Schedule
Cost.
Displays the Schedule Activities by Resource. Determine if resource data displays either Quantity, Cost, or Extended
Resource/Activity Schedule
Cost.
Activity/Control Account Displays each Control Account and any cross-referenced Schedule Activities. Each Activity's and Control Account's
Cross-reference current and approved dates, budget weight, and percent complete are displayed.
Graphics
Report Title Description
Displays graphical, tabular, and textual data that summarizes a project's performance or a portion of a project. Tabs
on the Report Specification provide memo fields where the Scope of Work, Project Managers, Accomplishments,
Executive Summary
and Concerns can be entered. Two other memo fields, the Schedule Performance and the Cost Performance are
automatically applied unless data is entered into either of these memo fields.
Time Phased Data Histogram And Displays budget, earned, actual data, and funding by period. There are options to display the Histogram only, the
S-Curve S-Curve only, or to display both.
Displays actuals data by period and compares it to budget data. There are options to display the Histogram only, the
Actual Histogram And S-Curve
S-Curve only, or to display both.
Displays actuals data by period and compares it to budget data. The bar chart indicates the approved and current
Actual Bar Chart And S-Curve
schedule as well as progress.
Displays budget data by period and spread two ways, using early schedule dates and late schedule dates data, and
Budget Histogram And S-Curve
compares it to actual data. There are options to display the Histogram only, the S-Curve only, or to display both.
Displays budget data by period and spread two ways, using early schedule dates and late schedule dates data, and
Budget Bar Chart And S-Curve
compares it to actual data. The bar chart indicates the approved and current schedule as well as progress.
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Chapter 21 Reports
Displays budget data by period and spread two ways, using early schedule dates and late schedule dates data, and
Progress Histogram And S-Curve
compares it to earned data. There are options to display the Histogram only, the S-Curve only, or to display both.
Displays budget data by period and spread two ways, using early schedule dates and late schedule dates data, and
Progress Bar Chart And S-Curve
compares it to earned data. The bar chart indicates the approved and current schedule as well as progress.
Displays budget, earned, and actual data by period. There are options to display the Histogram only, the S-Curve
Performance Histogram And S-Curve
only, or to display both.
Displays budget, earned, and actual data by period. The bar chart indicates the approved and current schedule as
Performance Bar Chart And S-Curve
well as progress.
Performance Index Curve Displays the SPI and CPI by period and compares it to cumulative budget, earned, and actual data.
Productivity Index Curve Displays the CPI by period and compares it to cumulative earned and actual data.
Performance Bulls-eye Displays the SPI and CPI by period variances by Reporting Period, using a series of dots and lines to track variances.
Contingency Draw-down Histogram and Displays contingency draw-down data by Reporting Period. There are options to display the Histogram only, the
S-Curve S-Curve only, or to display both.
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User Guide
Engineering Reports
The Engineering package includes several tabular reports and graphs to review engineering data which includes engineering document data,
engineering accounts data, time phased hours data, and engineering data cross-references to other packages.
Engineering Documents
Report Title Description
Displays each Engineering Documents approved schedule dates. Displays Engineering Documents and the
Engineering Design Schedule
document type, current status, and baseline budget hours for each document.
Displays each Engineering Document's budget and forecast hours and approved schedule dates. Displays the
Engineering Design Forecast document type, current status, percent complete, forecast hours to complete, and the forecast schedule dates
for each document.
Groups Engineering Document's by the Engineering Classes assigned and displays the Milestones for each
Engineering Design Milestones
Engineering Class and the status of each Milestone on an Engineering Document.
Engineering Accounts
Report Title Description
Displays each Engineering Account's percent complete. Displays each Document Type associated with each
Engineering Document Status Account and lists the total number of budgeted documents, the number of documents by Document Status, and
the equivalent number of documents completed to date.
Displays by Engineering Account the percent complete, the total number of budgeted documents, the number
Engineering Document Summary
of documents by Document Status, and the equivalent number of documents completed to date.
Displays by Engineering Account the equivalent documents completed in the reporting period and completed to
Engineering Document Status Summary
date. The number of baseline documents, approved documents and pending documents are also displayed.
Displays three groups of data; total number of documents, total hours, and hours per document. For each group
Engineering Hours Per Document of data the estimate to complete, estimate at completion, approved budget, baseline budget and actuals to date
information is displayed.
Displays by Engineering Account the actual hours, forecast hours, approved and baseline hours, budget change
Engineering Budget Comparison hours, the variance between last periods and the current periods EAC, and the variance between the approved
budget and the estimate at completion.
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Chapter 21 Reports
Groups Engineering Accounts by the Engineering Classes assigned and displays the Milestones for each
Engineering Account Milestones
Engineering Class and the status of each Milestone on an Engineering Account.
Displays Engineering Changes by Engineering Account. The BE column indicates if the change is added "+" to the
Engineering Budget/EAC Change
Baseline (B) or the EAC (E). The "=" equal sign indicates what the Approved Budget and the Current EAC equals
Breakdown
after adding the changes.
Displays how each Engineering Change affects Engineering Accounts and indicates the current status of each
Engineering Budget/EAC Changes
change.
Engineering Progress Displays the period and to-date data which includes the earned value, approved budget, and the cost variance.
Displays the period, to-date, and at-completion productivity data which includes the earned value, actuals, and
Engineering Productivity
the schedule variance.
Displays the period, to-date, and at-completion performance data which includes the approved budget, earned
Engineering Performance
value, actuals, and the cost and schedule variances.
Displays to-date performance data, the schedule and cost performance indexes (CPI and SPI), and the
Engineering Performance Index to-complete performance index (TCPI). In also includes the current estimate at completion and two calculated
EAC values; Cost and Schedule (C&S) EAC and the Cost Performance Index (CPI) EAC.
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User Guide
Engineering Time Phased Data Displays up to 6 lines of User-defined Budget data by Engineering Account by Reporting Period
Engineering Time Phased Budget Displays each Engineering Account's budget hours by Reporting Period.
Engineering Time Phased Performance Displays each Engineering Account's budget, earned, and actual hours by Reporting Period.
Displays each Engineering Account's budget, earned, and actual hours as well as FTEs by Reporting Period. The
Engineering Time Phased Head Count FTEs for a period are calculated as the Engineering Account's hours divided by the period's FTE hours as defined
in Reporting Periods form.
Engineering Cross-reference
Report Title Description
Displays the Engineering Accounts assigned to each Control Account and includes the approved budget, actual
Engineering Control Accounts to date, estimate to complete, and estimate at completion hours for both account types. Also displayed is the
percent complete and the approved and current schedule dates for all accounts.
Displays the Engineering Accounts assigned to each Activity. Also displayed are the Engineering Documents
Engineering / Activity Cross-reference linked to each Engineering Account. Status and progress information is displayed for both Engineering Accounts
and Engineering Documents.
Displays the Engineering Accounts assigned to each Purchase Order. Also displayed are the Engineering
Engineering / PO Cross-reference Documents linked to each Engineering Account. Status and progress information is displayed for both
Engineering Accounts and Engineering Documents.
Displays the Engineering Accounts assigned to each Contract. Also displayed are the Engineering Documents
Engineering / Contract Cross-reference linked to each Engineering Account. Status and progress information is displayed for both Engineering Accounts
and Engineering Documents.
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Graphics
Report Title Description
Displays budget, earned, actual data and funding by period. There are options to display the Histogram only, the
Time Phased Data Histogram And S-Curve
S-Curve only, or to display both.
Displays actuals hours by period and compares it to budget hours. There are options to display the Histogram
Engineering Actual Histogram And S-Curve
only, the S-Curve only, or to display both.
Displays actuals hours by period and compares it to budget hours. The bar chart indicates the approved and
Engineering Actual Bar Chart And S-Curve
current schedule as well as progress.
Engineering Performance Histogram And Displays budget, earned, and actual hours by period. There are options to display the Histogram only, the
S-Curve S-curve only, or to display both.
Engineering Performance Bar Chart And Displays budget, earned, and actual hours by period. The bar chart indicates the approved and current schedule
S-Curve as well as progress.
Engineering Performance Index Curve Displays the cost performance index (CPI) by period and compares it to cumulative earned and actual data.
Displays the schedule performance index (SPI) and cost performance index (CPI) by period and compares it to
Engineering Productivity Index Curve
cumulative budget, earned, and actual data.
Equipment/Materials Reports
The Equipment/Materials package includes several tabular reports to review equipment and material list data. In addition, purchase
requisitions can be printed.
Equipment
Report Title Description
Displays quantities, power ratings, links to specifications and drawings from Engineering Documents, and links to
Equipment List
purchase orders and contracts for each equipment item.
Displays attributes data for each equipment item including power rating, capacity, pressure, volume, weight,
Equipment Attributes
temperature, fluid, viscosity, insulation type, insulation thickness, and heat tracing.
Displays the installed equipment items linked to each Control Account. Included for each Control Account is the
Equipment Control Accounts percent complete, and the current and approved schedule dates. Displayed for each equipment item is the
supplier, quantity, current and approved delivery dates.
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Displays for each equipment item the installation and delivery dates. The dates include the current dates, the
Equipment Schedule Activities approved dates, and the variance between each. Also displayed are the Activity IDs that are linked to each
equipment item.
Displays equipment items assigned as Line Items on Installation Contracts. It identifies cross-referenced
Equipment Installation Contracts
Purchase Requisition and Control Accounts, the cost of each item, and if the Contract has been committed.
Displays equipment items assigned as Line Items on Purchase Orders. It identifies cross-referenced Purchase
Equipment Purchase Orders
Requisition and Control Accounts, the cost of each item, and if the Contract has been committed.
Materials
Report Title Description
Displays quantities, power ratings, links to specifications and drawings from Engineering Documents, and links to
Material List
purchase orders and contracts for each material item.
Displays the material items linked to each Control Account. Included for each Control Account is the percent
Material Control Accounts complete, and the current and approved schedule dates. Displayed for each material item is the supplier,
quantity, current and approved delivery dates.
Displays for each material item the installation and delivery dates. The dates include the current dates, the
Material Schedule Activities approved dates, and the variance between each. Also displayed are the Activity IDs that are linked to each
material item.
Displays material items assigned as Line Items on Installation Contracts. It identifies cross-referenced Purchase
Material Installation Contracts
Requisition and Control Accounts, the cost of each item, and if the Contract has been committed.
Displays material items assigned as Line Items on Purchase Orders. It identifies cross-referenced Purchase
Material Purchase Orders
Requisition and Control Accounts, the cost of each item, and if the Contract has been committed.
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Purchase Requisitions
Report Title Description
Displays a two page form. The first page identifies the Purchase Requisition, who prepared the requisition,
describes any sole source requirements, lists the linked attachments, and lists the revisions to the requisition.
Purchase Requisition The second page lists each line item assigned to the requisition; more pages are added depending on the
number of line items added. The linked attachments are NOT viewable on screen; however, they are printed
after the line item pages are printed.
Procurement Reports
The Procurement package includes several tabular reports to review Request for Quotation, Purchase Order, Shipment, and Purchase Order
Change data.
Displays every Bidder assigned to a Request for Quotation or Purchase Order. It also includes the Request
Purchase Order Bidders List
for Quotation Issue Date and Bid Due Date and cross-references to Engineering Documents.
Displays a set of three forms which can be printed and sent to the Bidders. External Attachment documents
linked to the Request for Quotation are also printed:
Request for Quotation Bidder Information form - indicates when the bid is due, where to send the bid, and
the attachments included. This form is signed by the buyer and seller.
Request for Quotation
Request for Quotation Line Items form - indicates each Line Item and quantities required. The bidder uses
this form to enter the unit price and cost for each Line Item as well as a Ship Date.
Request for Quotation Acknowledgement form - the bidder signs this form and sends it to the seller to
indicate their intent to submit or not submit a bid.
Displays a set of two forms which can be printed and sent to the winning Bidder. External Attachment
documents linked to the Purchase Order are also printed:
Purchase Order Authorization and Acceptance form - indicates the total price, where to send all
Purchase Order communication, payment and delivery terms, and the attachments included. This form is signed by the
buyer and seller.
Purchase Order Line Items form - indicates each Line Item and quantities required, unit price, and total
price for each Line Item.
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Displays a set of two forms which can be printed and sent to the Supplier. External Attachment documents
linked to the Purchase Order and Change ID are also printed:
Purchase Change Order Authorization and Acceptance form - indicates the total price, where to send all
Purchase Change Order communication, payment and delivery terms, and the attachments included. This form is signed by the
buyer and seller.
Purchase Change Order Line Items form - indicates each Line Item and quantities required, unit price, and
total price for each Line Item Change, and the new Purchase Order total price.
Purchase Orders
Report Title Description
Displays all the Requests for Quotation created on the project and includes the date when bids are due,
Request for Quotation Log
bidders assigned, bidder contract information, and Engineering Documents linked to the request.
Displays the Line Item of every Request for Quotation and Purchase Order and indicates if a Purchase Order
Purchase Order Line Items
is committed and the Control Account to which each Line Item is linked.
Displays Control Accounts that are linked to Purchase Orders and the Total Committed Cost to the Control
Purchase Order Commitments
Account. Each Purchase Order and its committed costs pertaining to the Control Account is displayed.
Displays each Purchase Order that has been committed and the committed costs. It also displays the
Purchase Order Commitments and Actuals
committed and actual costs that are entered against each Control Account linked to a Purchase Order.
Displays every Request for Quotation and Purchase Order and indicates the Supplier and any linked
Purchase Order Log Engineering Documents. It also displays each Change assigned to a Purchase Order and how the cost of
each Change affects the total cost of the Purchase Order.
Purchase Order Detail Displays the original, changed and approved cost for each Line Item on each Purchase Order.
Displays the original, changed and approved cost, the invoiced amount, and the paid amount for each
Purchase Order Summary
Purchase Order.
Displays each Purchase Order and how the Line Item Changes affect the Approved Cost, Pending Cost, and
Purchase Order Change Summary
the Estimate at Completion.
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Displays each Purchase Order and the associated Line Items including the Invoiced quantities and cost and
Purchase Order Invoices and Payments paid quantities and cost for each line item. Invoice and payment data is maintained in the Invoice
Management package.
Displays every Engineering Document cross-linked to a Request for Quotation or Purchase Order, including
Purchase Order Engineering Documents
each document's forecasted start and finish dates, actual start date, and the progress complete.
Displays Purchase Order Line Items and status of planned quantities to be shipped. It also provides invoice
Purchase Order Shipment Status
and payment data.
Purchase Order Shipment Items Displays shipment information for each Line Item assigned to a Shipment on a Purchase Order.
Displays the planned, forecast, and actual completion data of each event for each Purchase Order and
Purchase Order Schedule and Status
Request for Quotation.
Purchase Order Event Schedule Displays the Last Completed Event as well as the Next Scheduled Event and its forecast date.
Lists the events for all Purchase Orders in sequential order from earliest Forecast date to latest Forecast
Purchase Order Action Events
date.
Displays the planned, forecast, and actual completion data of each event for each Purchase Order
Shipment Schedule and Status
Shipment.
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Contract Reports
The Contract package includes several tabular reports to review Request for Proposals, Contracts, and Contract Change data.
Contract Forms
Report Title Description
Displays every Bidder assigned to a Request for Proposal or Contract. It also includes the Request for
Contract Bidders List
Proposal Issue Date and Bid Due Date and cross-references to Engineering Documents.
Displays a set of three forms which can be printed and sent to the Bidders. External Attachment documents
linked to the Request for Quotation are also printed:
Request for Proposal Bidder Information form - indicates when the bid is due, where to send the bid, and
the attachments included. This form is signed by the buyer and seller.
Request for Proposal
Request for Proposal Line Items form - indicates each Pay Item and quantities required. The bidder uses this
form to enter the unit price and cost for each Pay Item.
Request for Proposal Acknowledgement form - the bidder signs this form and sends it to the seller to
indicate their intent to submit or not submit a bid.
Displays a set of two forms which can be printed and sent to the winning Bidder. External Attachment
documents linked to the Contract are also printed:
Contract Authorization and Acceptance form - indicates the total price, where to send all communication,
Contract
payment and delivery terms, and the attachments included. This form is signed by the buyer and seller.
Contract Line Items form - indicates each Pay Item and quantities required, unit price, and total price for
each Pay Item.
Displays a set of two forms which can be printed and sent to the Contractor. External Attachment
documents linked to the Contract and Change ID are also printed:
Contract Order Authorization and Acceptance form - indicates the total price, where to send all
Contract Change Order communication, payment and delivery terms, and the attachments included. This form is signed by the
buyer and seller.
Contract Order Pay Items form - indicates each Pay Item and quantities required, unit price, and total price
for each Pay Item Change, and the new Contract total price.
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Contracts
Report Title Description
Displays all the Requests for Proposal created on the project and includes the date when bids are due,
Request for Proposal Log
bidders assigned, bidder contract information, and Engineering Documents linked to the request.
Displays the Pay Item of every Request for Proposal and Contract and indicates if a Contract is committed
Contract Pay Items
and the Control Account to which each Pay Item is linked.
Displays Control Accounts that are linked to Contracts and the Total Committed Cost to the Control
Contract Commitments
Account. Each Contract and its committed costs pertaining to the Control Account is displayed.
Displays each Contract that has been committed and the committed costs. It also displays the committed
Contract Commitments and Actuals
and actual costs that are entered against each Control Account linked to a Contract.
Displays every Request for Proposal and Contract and indicates the Supplier and any linked Engineering
Contract Log Documents. It also displays each Change assigned to a Contract and how the cost of each Change affects
the total cost of the Contract.
Contract Detail Displays the original, changed and approved cost for each Pay Item on each Contract.
Contract Summary Displays the original, changed and approved cost for each Contract.
Displays each Contract and how the Pay Item Changes affect the Approved Cost, Pending Cost, and the
Contract Change Summary
Estimate at Completion.
Displays each Contract and the associated Pay Items including the Invoiced quantities and cost and paid
Contract Invoices and Payments quantities and cost for each line item. Invoice and payment data is maintained in the Invoice Management
package.
Displays every Engineering Document cross-linked to a Request for Proposal or Contract, including each
Contract Engineering Documents
document's forecasted start and finish dates, actual start date, and the progress complete.
Contract Events
Report Title Description
Displays the planned, forecast, and actual completion data of each event for each Contract and Request for
Contract Schedule and Status
Proposal.
Contract Event Schedule Displays the Last Completed Event as well as the Next Scheduled Event and its forecast date.
Contract Action Events Lists the events for all Contracts in sequential order from earliest Forecast date to latest Forecast date.
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Contractor
Report Title Description
Displays the Pay Item of every Prime Contract and indicates if a Contract is committed and the Control
Prime Contract Pay Items
Account to which each Pay Item is linked.
Displays Control Accounts that are linked to Prime Contracts and the Total Committed Cost to the Control
Prime Contract Commitments
Account. Each Contract and its committed costs pertaining to the Control Account are displayed.
Displays each Prime Contract that has been committed and the committed costs. It also displays the
Prime Contract Commitments and Actuals
committed and actual costs that are entered against each Control Account linked to a Contract.
Prime Contract Detail Displays the original, changed and approved cost for each Pay Item on each Prime Contract.
Prime Contract Summary Displays the original, changed and approved cost for each Prime Contract.
Displays each Prime Contract and how the Pay Item Changes affect the Approved Cost, Pending Cost, and
Prime Contract Change Summary
the Estimate at Completion.
Displays each Prime Contract and the associated Pay Items including the Invoiced quantities and cost and
Prime Contract Invoices and Payments paid quantities and cost for each line item. Invoice and payment data is maintained in the Invoice
Management package.
Displays every Engineering Document cross-linked to a Prime Contract, including each document's
Prime Contract Engineering Documents
forecasted start and finish dates, actual start date, and the progress complete.
Displays the Revenue, Committed Cost, and Gross Margin for each Prime Contract. It also displays the
Prime Contract Committed Gross Margin Revenue, Cost, and Gross Margin of any Purchase Order and/or Contract cross-linked to the Prime
Contract.
Displays the amount invoiced and the payments received for Pay Items for each Prime Contract.
Prime Contract Progress Payment
Commitment totals, percent complete, and Earned Value to Date are also displayed.
Displays Pay Items Invoices summary information for each Prime Contract. These invoices have been
created but have not been billed to the Owner. This report also includes start and end dates for service
Prime Contract Billing Plan
tasks including the date the invoice was created, as well as tax and retention. This report can only be
created if the Future Billing Plan feature is enabled in the Invoices data pane.
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Displays Invoices information for each Prime Contract. This report includes the invoice data, invoice
Prime Contract Summary Billing Plan amount, as well as tax and retention. This report can only be created if the Future Billing Plan feature is
enabled in the Invoices data pane.
Owner
Report Title Description
Owner Contract and Purchase Order Displays all of the Purchase Orders, Contracts, and Prime Contracts and the Total Committed Cost the
Commitments Owner is responsible for.
Invoices
Report Title Description
Displays each Invoice, the vendor name and Contract or Purchase Order ID. Included are the approved
Invoice Log cost, the current status, dates indicating when the invoice was received, when the payment is due, and
when it is forecast to be paid.
Displays each Invoice categorized by vendor and by Contract or Purchase Order. Included are the
Vendor Invoices
summarized hours and cost data by Invoice.
Displays each Invoice's Invoice Items categorized by vendor and by Contract or Purchase Order. Included
Invoice Detail
are the hours and cost data for each Invoice Item.
Invoice Retention Displays the Retention value remaining to be paid on each Invoice.
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Payments
Report Title Description
Displays every Invoice assigned to a Payment Request. Included are the approved cost, the current status,
Payment Request Log dates indicating when the invoice was received, when the payment is due, and when it is forecast to be
paid.
Displays the invoiced and payment amounts on each Invoice. Included is the current status, dates when the
invoice was received, when the payment is due, and when it is forecast to be paid. The Days Late is the
Invoice Payments
difference between the current date and the Pay Date. It is important to note that Invoices are only
displayed if the current status is not blank or is not set to Paid.
Displays the invoiced amount on each Invoice. Included is the current status, dates when the invoice was
received, when the payment is due, and when it is forecast to be paid. The In House field displays the
Payment Aging number of days from when the Invoice was received to today's date. The Due field displays the number of
days the payment is past the due date from today's date. It is important to note that Invoices are only
displayed if the current status is not blank or is not set to Paid.
Displays the invoiced amount on each Invoice. Included are the current status, date when the invoice was
Invoice Currency Exchange Rate Summary
received, and the Exchange Rates applied to the Invoice and to the Payments.
Progress Items
Report Title Description
Displays each Progress Items approved schedule dates. Displays each Progress Item and its budgeted quantities
Progress Items Schedule
and hours.
Displays each Progress Item's budget and forecast hours and approved schedule dates. Displays the forecast
Progress Items Forecast
quantities and hours to complete, and the forecast schedule dates for each Progress Item.
Groups Progress Items by the Rules of Credit assigned and displays the Rules for each Rules of Credit and the
Progress Items Rules Of Credit
status of each Rule on a Progress Item.
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Progress Accounts
Report Title Description
Displays each Progress Account's budget and percent complete. Displays each Progress Item associated with
Field Progress Accounts And Items each Account and lists the total number of budgeted quantities. It also displays the schedule dates and forecast
dates.
Displays by Progress Account the actual quantity and hours, forecast quantity and hours, approved and baseline
Field Budget Comparison quantity and hours, budget change quantity and hours, the variance between last periods and the current
periods EAC, and the variance between the approved budget and the estimate at completion.
Displays Approved, EAC, Actuals, and Percent Complete for Quantities and Hours by Progress Account. The Unit
Field Quantity And Hour Analysis Price is also calculated using the equation of Hours / Quantities, showing the rate at which quantities are
budgeted to being installed.
Displays Total Hours and Unit Hours for Budget, Actuals, EAC, and ETC. Records are grouped by Progress
Field Unit Hours
Account.
Displays performance data and calculated EACs (H&S EAC and HPI EAC) to analyze and update the forecast. Data
Field Estimate At Completion Analysis displayed by Progress Account / Control Element fill-in-the-blank is used to enter the EAC update, which is
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subsequently entered into PRISM .
Groups Progress Accounts by the Rules of Credit assigned and displays the Rules for each Rules of Credit and the
Field Rules Of Credit
status of each Rule on a Progress Account.
Progress Account / Activity Displays the Progress Accounts assigned to each Activity. Also displays progress information for Progress
Cross-reference Accounts.
Actuals
Report Title Description
Field Period Actuals Displays each Period Actuals entry by Progress Account.
Field Actuals History #1 Two different reports that display each Actual History record. One report displays records by Progress Account,
Field Actuals History #2 the other by Reporting Period then Progress Account.
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Change Management
Report Title Description
Displays Field Management Changes by Progress Account. The BE column indicates if the change is added "+" to
Field Budget and EAC Change Breakdown the Baseline (B) or the EAC (E). The "=" equal sign indicates what the Approved Budget and the Current EAC
equals after adding the changes.
Displays how each Field Management Change affects Progress Accounts and indicates the current status of each
Field Budget and EAC Changes
change.
Displays the period hours and the to-date data, which includes the earned value, approved budget, and the
Field Progress
hours variance.
Displays the period, to-date, and at completion productivity data which includes the earned value, actuals and
Field Productivity
the schedule variance.
Displays the period, to-date, and at-completion performance data which includes the approved budget, earned
Field Performance
value, actuals, and the schedule and hours variances.
Displays to-date performance data, the hours and schedule performance indexes (HPI and SPI), and the
Field Performance Index to-complete performance index (TCPI). It also includes the current estimate at completion and two calculated
EAC values; Hours and Schedule (H&S) EAC and the Hours Performance Index (HPI) EAC.
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Field Time Phased Data Displays up to 6 lines of User-defined Budget data by Progress Account by Reporting Period
Field Time Phased Budget Displays each Progress Account's budget hours by Reporting Period.
Field Time Phased Performance Displays each Progress Account's budget, earned, and actual hours by Reporting Period.
Displays each Progress Account's budget, earned, and actual hours as well as FTEs by Reporting Period. The FTEs
Field Time Phased Head Count for a period are calculated as the Progress Account's hours divided by the period's FTE hours as defined in
Reporting Periods form.
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Graphics
Report Title Description
Field Time Phased Data Histogram And Displays budget, earned, and actual data by period. There are options to display the Histogram only, the S-Curve
S-Curve only, or to display both.
Displays actuals data by period and compares it to budget data. There are options to display the Histogram only,
Field Actual Histogram And S-Curve
the S-Curve only, or to display both.
Displays actuals data by period and compares it to budget data. The bar chart indicates the approved and
Field Actual Bar Chart And S-Curve
current schedule as well as progress.
Displays budget data by period and spread two ways, using early schedule dates and late schedule dates data,
Field Progress Histogram And S-Curve and compares it to earned data. There are options to display the Histogram only, the S-Curve only, or to display
both.
Displays budget data by period and spread two ways, using early schedule dates and late schedule dates data,
Field Progress Bar Chart And S-Curve
and compares it to earned data. The bar chart indicates the approved and current schedule as well as progress.
Displays budget, earned, and actual data by period. There are options to display the Histogram only, the S-Curve
Field Performance Histogram And S-Curve
only, or to display both.
Displays budget, earned, and actual data by period. The bar chart indicates the approved and current schedule
Field Performance Bar Chart And S-Curve
as well as progress.
Field Performance Index Curve Displays the SPI and HPI by period and compares it to cumulative budget, earned, and actual data.
Field Productivity Index Curve Displays the HPI by period and compares it to cumulative earned and actual data.
Displays the SPI and CPI by period variances by Reporting Period, using a series of dots and lines to track
Field Performance Bullseye
variances. Quantities or Hours data can be displayed.
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Project/Enterprise Batch
During monthly reporting, individual Report Specifications can be opened and printed, one at a time. However, this can be time consuming
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and inefficient. PRISM allows you to create a Batch and then assign any Report Specification to the Batches. Once a Batch is defined, it can
be printed using a single command, causing every report assigned to the Batch to be printed.
Multiple Batches can be created. For example, you might create a Batch of reports that are provided to the project manager, another Batch
for executive management, a third set of reports for the client, and a fourth set for the project controls specialist. Any Report Specification can
be assigned to one or more Batches. For instance, the Performance Report Specification may be included in all four of the Batches. Whereas, a
Cost and Comparison Detail Report Specification may be included only in the project managers and project controls specialists Batch of
reports.
You can choose to temporarily remove any report from the Batch or re-sequence the reports prior to printing, generating a single PDF of the
reports, or displaying the reports on screen.
The Project Batch form is where Project Reports are assigned to and printed as a Batch. Alternatively, the Enterprise Batch form is used for
Enterprise Reports.
To Define a Batch:
1) For a Project Batch select Reports > Project > Project Batch; for an Enterprise Batch select Reports > Enterprise > Enterprise Batch.
2) Click the Add Record icon, click in the Batch ID box, and enter a Batch ID.
3) Click in the Description box and enter a Batch Description.
4) If necessary, click in the Sort Code box and enter a Sort Code to modify the sort order of the Project Batches.
5) In the Report Specification subpane, click the Add Record icon, select one or more Report Specifications to include in the batch, and
click OK.
6) If you need to re-sequence the list of report specifications, then click in the Sort Code cell for each Report Specification and enter an
alphanumeric Sort Code.
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Lists
There are three types of Lists; Project Lists, Enterprise Lists, and Administration Lists. To access Lists you will need View Reports permissions
or higher. Project Lists are available if you have permission rights to a Project. To access Enterprise and Administration Lists, you must have
View Reports permissions rights for the Enterprise or Administration, respectively.
The Project Lists form provides lists that are primarily used for error checking. The types of errors reviewed include:
Locating inconsistent data.
Locating missing data entries.
Locating missing cross-references.
Locating duplicate numbering.
Locating attached documents and files with invalid path / file name.
In addition, there are specialized lists to review the WBS assigned to Master Records.
The Enterprise Lists form provides access to data entered into the Projects and Employees data panes and associated subpanes.
The Administration Lists form provides access to data entered into the Users, Roles, and Teams data panes and associated subpanes. It also
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includes Project Permissions, User Permissions, and the Data Dictionary, which is a list of all tables and fields defined in PRISM .
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Administration Lists
There are several Administration Lists as described in the following table:
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Users List of Users that can access PRISM , their access rights, and their contact information.
Roles List of Roles and the default Permission Level assigned to each Package.
Teams List of Teams and the Users assigned to each Team.
Project Permissions List of Projects and the Users assigned to each Project. The Permission Levels for each Package that the User has on the Project are also
displayed.
User Permissions List of Users and the Projects the User has permission to access. The Permission Levels for each Package on each Project are also
displayed.
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Data Dictionary List of every table generated by PRISM . This information is useful if you are planning to import data directly from an external source or
export data directly to an external source. The table information includes the table name, alias, description, and type of table listed. For
each table, field information is also listed, which includes the primary key field, field name, description, type of field, length of field, and the
number of decimal places for numeric fields.
Enterprise Lists
There are a couple of Enterprise Lists as described in the following table:
Project Lists
There are several Project Lists as described in the following table:
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Purchase Order Line Items with No Control Account Request for Quotations or Purchase Orders that do not have Control Accounts assigned to each
Line Item or to the RFQ or PO.
Shipments with Receive Date After Required Date Shipments where the date the shipment is received is after the date when the shipment is required
on site.
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Contract Documents with Invalid File Name External Contract documents where the linked defined in PRISM does not match a file name or
file location on the network.
Contract Pay Items with No Control Account Request for Proposal or Contract that do not have Control Accounts assigned to each Pay Item or
to the RFP or Contract.
Prime Contract Pay Items with No Control Account Prime Contract that does not have a Control Account assigned to each Pay Item or to the Prime
Contract.
Progress Accounts WBS List of Progress Accounts grouped by the WBS.
Invalid Progress Account Schedule Dates Progress Account Schedule Dates are outside the Project's Reporting Periods.
Progress Accounts with Undefined Control Account Progress Accounts that are not cross-referenced to Control Accounts.
Progress Items Outside of Progress Account Schedule Progress Items with dates that are outside of the date range defined by the Progress Account's
current start and finish dates.
Progress Items with Undefined Account Progress Items with undefined Progress Accounts.
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6) In the Report Fields group box, click in the various Data Date Fields and enter a Data Date. The Data Date refers to the date when the
data was processed or finalized for the period.
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a. For Project Reports, the Data Date is linked to data entered in the Settings form in the various PRISM packages. Changing data
in the Project Page Setup form modifies data in these other forms. The packages enabled on the project determine which of the
following Data Date selections are displayed.
Cost - if left blank, the Cost Management package's current Reporting Period is used when Control Accounts are calculated,
however, you can modify this value. This date is displayed in most Cost Management reports.
Budget Details - this date is displayed in Budget reports. It is linked to the Cost Management Settings form.
Schedule - this date is displayed in Schedule reports. It is linked to the Cost Management Settings form.
Engineering - if left blank, the Engineering package's current Reporting Period is used when Engineering Accounts are
calculated, however, you can modify this value. The data are displayed in Engineering reports and is linked to the Engineering
Settings form.
Equipment/Materials - this date is displayed in Equipment/Materials reports. It is linked to the Equipment Settings form.
Procurement - this date is displayed in Procurement reports. It is linked to the Procurement Settings form.
Invoice Management - this date is displayed in Invoice Management reports. It is linked to the Invoice Management Settings
form.
Field Management - if left blank, the Field Management package's current Reporting Period is used when Progress Accounts
are calculated, however, you can modify this value. These data are displayed in Field Management reports and are linked to
the Field Management Settings form.
Contracts - this date is displayed in Contract reports. It is linked to the Contracts Settings form.
Prime Contracts - this date is displayed in Prime Contract reports. It is linked to the Prime Contracts Settings form.
b. For Enterprise Reports, the same fields are available. However, there is no connection to the Settings forms or the current
Reporting Periods.
7) Click OK.
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Note that Users must be given access to the Report Writer in order to access it from the Reports ribbon menu.
The Project and Enterprise Report Writers are divided into four panes.
Table Menu - upper-left pane
Specification List - lower-left pane
Report Writer Specification - upper-right pane
Subpanes - lower-right pane
To generate a report you must first select a Table from the Table Menu. This is a tree structure which categorizes the various tables by
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PRISM package. Only the Tables that you have permission to access are displayed, which is based on permissions to the packages at the
Enterprise level. Once a Table is selected, the Specification List is displayed. If there are any saved Report Writer Specifications, the first
specification is displayed.
The Specification List is a list of every Report Writer Specification that has been created and saved for the Table selected in the Table Menu.
This is similar to a Navigation Pane (on page 152) and includes a navigation toolbar, allowing you to add and delete specifications, print or
export the list of specifications, etc.
The Report Writer's Specification List is empty until the first Report Writer Specification is created. To create a new Report Writer
Specification, you must enter a Specification ID and Description. You can access an existing Report Writer Specification by selecting a
Specification ID from the Specification List.
Each Report Writer Specification allows you to choose from several options in order to customize your specific report. Options are enabled or
disabled based on the Table selected.
When developing a Report Writer Specification there are a number of subpanes that are used:
Fields - select the fields to include from any table and format each field.
Calculations - create new fields to include in a report and define how data is calculated for those fields.
Grouping - group data using any field.
Sorting - sort data using any field.
Filter - apply a filter (on page 193) to reduce the selection of data being reported.
Element - filter data by Enterprise and Control Elements.
Batch - assign a Report Writer Specification to one or more batches. A batch is a collection of several Report Writer Specifications and
Report Specifications that can be printed all together, eliminating the need to individually open and print each specification.
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Page Options
You can choose the Paper Size for your report from A3 or A4 to Letter, Legal, or Ledger sizes. You can also choose the Paper Units, either
Inches or centimeters, which determines the units used when defining the width of a column or the size of the Margins. You can define the
orientation of reports, either Landscape or Portrait. You can also turn Color on so that all color options selected are printed. If Color is turned
off, then the report is printed in a grayscale. And finally, you can define the size of the Margins on the page.
Data Options
The manner in which numeric data are displayed, whether as cost, hours, or quantities is adjustable using two options. The Show Data In
option divides each numeric value by a power of ten unit (1, 10, 100, 1000, 10,000, 100,000, 1,000,000). The unit selected from this option is
displayed in the report header. The Decimal Places option selects the number of decimal places (0, 1, 2, 3) in which numeric data is reported.
By default, the cost data is displayed using the project's Base Currency for project reports and the Enterprise's Base Currency for Enterprise
reports. For Multi-currency projects, you can select a different Currency ID in which to display costs.
Project Reports that display Control Element details have the option to display this data using either the project's Control Elements or
corresponding Enterprise Elements. By default, Control Elements are displayed, but can be changed by enabling the Use Enterprise Elements
option.
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Note that Combined Periods are defined in the Reporting Period and Enterprise Period forms.
For projects that span many Reporting Periods, the data may not fit well on a single-page report. For instance, time phased data on a Letter
sized report can only display 12 columns of data; one column for each Reporting Period. Additional pages are generated to display more than
12 Reporting Periods. You have control over how many Reporting Periods are displayed on a page using the Periods per Page option. The
Paper Size, Orientation, and Field Width will affect the number of periods that can be displayed on a single page.
In a report that displays time phased data, the Reporting Periods are displayed as columns and the Fields as rows, which is a matrix. As an
example, you may develop a report that views the Fields, Actuals/ETC and Commitments for each Control Account. These Fields are rows of
data and the column headers are the Reporting Periods. The data displayed in the matrix is the Actuals/ETC and Commitment costs by period.
When working with a time phased data matrix, the labels of each Field can be displayed by selecting a Title Location. In addition, you can
define a column header label that describes these fields by entering a Title Caption. You can display the sum of the time phased data for each
Field if a Grand Total Location is selected. You can define the column header label for the Total field by entering a Grand Total Caption.
Similarly, Previous Total and Remaining Total data can be displayed and column header labels can be applied. These are used when the
number of Reporting Periods is too many to display on a page. In this case, the Previous Total displays the sum of the time phased data from
the periods of data that have been displayed in previous pages of the report and the Remaining Total displays the sum of the data for the
periods that will be displayed in subsequent pages of the report.
Fields
The Fields subpane is where you can select the Fields of data that you want to display in your report. Fields and tables available are based on
the Table selected. In addition, you can define the sequence of how the fields are displayed as well as defining the formatting of each Field,
which includes:
Column Header Caption
Column Alignment and Width
Font Style with Bold and Italics options
Font Size and Color
Aggregate options for numeric fields (Minimum, Maximum, Sum, Average, Count)
Calculations
The Calculations subpane is used to create Calculation Fields of data. The data from these new fields can be displayed in reports, used for
sorting or grouping data, or used to create additional Calculation Fields.
A Calculation Field is automatically assigned a Caption, which can be renamed to something more descriptive. This Caption is the field name
that can be selected when adding the Calculation Field in any of the subpanes.
A Calculation typically contains two Operands and an Operator. The Operands can either be Fields from any Table, other Calculation Fields
defined in the specification, or Constant values that use a numeric, character, or date format.
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The Operator determines how the First Operand affects the Second Operand to calculate the data. There are a number of operators, two of
which are automatically assigned when the first Operand is added to the calculation:
Assignment - This Operator is assigned most often. It will need to be changed to a different Operator in order to assign a Second
Operand. If left unchanged, it simply adds the Field as a new Field, which is not necessary.
Picklist - This is only added when the First Operand selected is a Field from a Table that links to another Table. The linked Table will be
added to the Table 2 Description and you will be able to select any Field from that table in the Field 2 Description drop-down.
The other Operators are used to calculate data. The following Operators are only available when the First Operand is numeric data:
Plus - Adds the First Operand value to the Second Operand value.
Minus - Subtracts the First Operand value from the Second Operand value.
Times - Multiplies the First Operand by the Second Operand.
Divided By - Divides the First Operand by the Second Operand.
These last Operators use Boolean Logic and are available to all types of Operands. The result of these types of calculations is either 1, when
the calculation determines a True result, or 2, when the result is False:
Less Than - First Operand is less than the Second Operand.
Less Than or Equal - First Operand is less than or equal to the Second Operand.
Equal - First Operand is equal to the Second Operand.
Greater Than - First Operand is greater than the Second Operand.
Greater Than or Equal - First Operand is greater than or equal to the Second Operand.
Not Equal - First Operand is not equal to the Second Operand.
As an example, you may want to create a Calculated Field labeled Period Actuals. This field is used to calculate the difference between the
Actuals to Date and the Previous Actuals to Date. Below are the operands and operator that would be selected.
Period Actuals Control Account Cost Actuals to Date Minus Control Account Cost Previous Actuals to
Element Totals Element Totals Date
This next example uses Constant values. In this example the Calculated Field is labeled Worst Case EAC which is calculated by multiplying the
Estimate at Completion by a constant numeric value of 1.10.
First Operand First Operand Second Operand Second Operand Second Operand
Caption Operator
Table 1 Description Field 1 Description Table 2 Description Field 2 Description Constant 2
Worst Case EAC Control Account Cost Estimate at Times Constant Decimal 1.10
Element Totals Completion
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You can create Calculated Fields that are used as an operand in another Calculated Field. For instance, maybe you want to see the difference
between the Worst Case EAC and the Approved Budget and label it Worst Case EAC Variance.
Worst Case EAC Calculation Worst Case EAC Minus Control Account Cost Approved Budget
Variance Element Totals
Note that the sequence of calculations does not affect the calculations. For instance, the Worst Case EAC Variance calculation can
be displayed in the list of Calculation Fields prior to Worst Case EAC calculation.
This next example indicates how you can add fields from related tables that are not available as Fields in the Fields subpane. In this example,
the Change Source of each Budget/EAC Change assigned to a Control Account is to be made available to a Report Writer Specification that
uses the Control Accounts table. This Calculation Field is labeled Change Source. When the Change ID field from the Control Account Change
Breakdown table is added, the Picklist operator is automatically assigned, as well as the Budget/EAC Changes table as Table 2. All of the fields
from the Budget/EAC Changes table are available to be selected in the Field 2 Description. In this case, the Change Source is selected.
Change Source Control Account Change ID Picklist Budget/EAC Changes Change Source
Change Breakdown
This final example uses a Boolean logic Operator to display only those Approved Budget values that are greater than the Estimate at
Completion values on a Control Account. It requires two separate calculations because the Boolean result is either 1 for True or 0 for False.
The value 1 multiplied by Approved Budget equals the Approved Budget; whereas, an Approved Budget value multiplied by zero is zero.
High Approved Budget Control Account Cost Approved Budget Greater Control Account Cost Estimate at
Element Totals Than Element Totals Completion
Approved Budget to Control Account Cost Approved Budget Times Calculation High Approved Budget
be Fixed Element Totals
Grouping
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You can use most any Field in PRISM for Grouping data in reports. The Grouping subpane allows you to select as many Grouping Fields as
desired. The sequence of Grouping Fields, from top to bottom, determines the hierarchy of how Groupings are applied in a report.
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There are several formatting options that you can define for each Grouping Field, which includes:
Grouping Field Caption
Grouping Field Alignment and Width
Inclusion of the Grouping Field Title, ID, or Description
Font Style including Bold and Italics options
Font Size and Color
Sort Order of the Grouping Field, either ascending or descending
Summary options for numeric fields (Min, Max, Sum, Average, Count)
Sorting
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You can use most any Field in PRISM for Sorting data in reports. The Sorting subpane allows you to select as many Sorting Fields as desired.
The sequence of Sorting Fields, from top to bottom, determines the hierarchy of how sorting is applied in a report. For each Sorting Field, you
can select the Sort Order, either ascending or descending.
Note that you can open multiple Print Preview forms at one time, each displaying a different Report Specification.
You do not have to use the Print Preview form to print reports. There is a separate Print Report command found on the navigation toolbar.
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Reports generated in PRISM contain a Watermark as proof that the data displayed in the report comes directly for the PRISM database
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and is unaltered. The watermark is simply the word PRISM , which is placed in the bottom center of the report in a light gray font. The Print
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Preview form in PRISM has features that allow these reports to be exported to Microsoft Excel or Word. Any PRISM report that is exported
will NOT have this watermark applied. The reason for this is that reports exported to Microsoft Excel or Word can be modified using these
other applications. Therefore, the absence of the watermark indicates the data are circumspect, because of this possibility of alteration.
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3) If one or more Report Writer Specifications were previously created for the report, the first Report Writer Specification is displayed in
the data pane. If you want to choose a different Report Writer Specification, select the desired Specification ID from the Specification
List.
4) If no Report Specification currently exists for the report, click in the Specification ID box in the Data pane and enter a Report Writer
Specification ID.
5) Click in the Description box and enter a Report Specification Description.
6) If you are planning on generating PDF files of the report, click the File Name browse icon, enter a File Name, and select a File
Location where the PDF will be saved.
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2) Check the Total Periods checkbox to display the total value of the time phased data based on the range of periods selected.
3) Check the Show Forecast checkbox to display Forecast data on the Time Phased Data report. If this option is checked, the Time
Phased Data Report will always display Forecast data. If left unchecked, Forecast data can be added to the report by selecting the
Forecast option to the Specification in the Report Library subpane.
4) Check the Show Percent checkbox to display Percent for each record, rather than the total Amount.
5) To identify a finish period other than the last Reporting Period as the ending period to be reported, click in Finish Period drop-down
and select a Reporting Period.
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6) By default, the report displays each period's data in a column. To combine multiple periods of data into a column in the report, click
the Combined Periods drop-down and select one of the two Combined Periods Titles.
7) Click the Periods Per Page drop-down and select the Maximum Number of Reporting Periods or Combined Periods that will be
displayed on a single page at a time.
a. Be sure that the Paper Size, Orientation, and Field Width are taken into account. If more periods are selected than can be
displayed on a single page, the extra periods will be missing from the report.
b. If the number of periods in the project exceeds the selected Periods Per Page, then additional pages will be generated to display
the next ranges of periods.
8) Click the Title Location drop-down and select:
a. Either Left or Right to determine where the Data Type titles will be displayed on the page.
b. Click None if you do not want the Titles to be displayed.
9) Click in the Title Caption box and enter a Caption for the Title column.
10) Click in the Grand Total Location and select:
a. Either Left or Right to determine where the summarized values of the period data will be displayed on the page.
b. Click None if you do not want the Grand Total Titles to be displayed.
11) Click in the Grand Total Caption box and enter a Caption for the Totals column.
12) Click in the Previous Total Location and select:
a. Either Left or Right to determine where the summarized values of period data already displayed in previous pages of the report
will be displayed on the page.
b. Click None if you do not want the Previous Totals to be displayed.
13) Click in the Previous Total Caption box and enter a Caption for the Totals column.
14) Click in the Remaining Total Location and select:
a. Either Left or Right to determine where the summarized values of period data to be displayed in subsequent pages of the report
will be displayed on the page.
b. Click None if you do not want the Remaining Totals to be displayed.
15) Click in the Remaining Total Caption box and enter a Caption for the Totals column.
To Assign Fields:
1) In the Fields subpane, select the Table drop-down found on the navigation toolbar.
2) Select a Table that contains the Fields you want to include in the report.
a. A special table labeled CALCULATION is available. This table lists the Calculation Fields defined in the Report Writer-Calculations
subpane.
3) Click the Add Record icon, select one or more Fields, and click OK. The Fields are added with the system-defined formatting applied.
4) For each Field added, you can change any of the settings as described below:
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a. The listing of the Fields from top to bottom determines the sequence of the fields from left to right within the reports. The top
Field is the left-most field and moving down the list indicates the sequence of Fields across the page to the right. Select a Field in
the list and then click the Move Up icon or the Move Down icon found on the navigation toolbar to move the Field up or down
within the list.
b. Click in the Caption cell and enter a new Caption that replaces the system-defined Field Description.
c. The Table Description Field displays the table that was selected when adding the Field. The Field Description is the default label
of the Field selected. Both of these Fields are read-only.
d. Click the Alignment drop-down and select either Left, Center, or Right to define how the field values align within the field. For
text the default alignment is Left and for numeric data the default alignment is Right.
e. Each field has a system-defined width. Click in the Width cell and enter a Width value, either in inches or centimeters, as defined
by the Paper Units.
f. Click the Aggregate drop-down and select one of the system-defined Summary options. These Summary options are only useful
on numeric data. The values generated are displayed below each group of data and at the end of the report.
Summary - this is the default setting. Data will be displayed at this level.
Min - the minimum or lowest value in each group of data and in the total reported data.
Max - the maximum or highest value in each group of data and in the total reported data.
Sum - the sum of each group of data and in the total reported data. This is the most commonly used setting.
Average - the calculated average of each group of data and in the total reported data.
Count - the counted number of records of each group of data and in the total reported data.
g. Click the Field Format box, and click the Font Name drop-down, and select a Font Style. The list of Font Styles available are those
available within the Microsoft Windows Operating System. Be careful that you only select those Font Styles that are readily
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available to other PRISM Users.
h. Click the Background Color drop-down, and select a Font Background Color. By default, Transparent is selected.
i. Click the Underline Color drop-down, and select a Underline Color. By default, Transparent is selected.
j. Click the Font Size drop-down and select a Font Size.
k. Click the Font Color drop-down and select a Font Color.
l. Check the Bold checkbox to apply a Bold format to the Font.
m. Check the Italics checkbox to apply an Italic format to the Font.
n. Check the Underline checkbox, to apply an Underline format to the Font.
Note that the Sample field displays a preview of how the Font and Colors will be displayed on the Report.
o. If you included User-defined Amount fields, and if the project is a Multi-currency project, then the Factor Field is enabled. Click
the Currency Factor drop-down and select Budget, Actual, or Estimate to Complete. This is used to determine which Currency
Exchange Rates are used to calculate the User-defined Amount costs on the report.
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Note that the previously defined Calculated field will need to be saved before it is available in the list of Calculation Fields.
If Constant was selected, click in the Constant 2 cell, select a Data Type, Decimal, Character, or Date, and click OK.
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To Assign Grouping:
1) In the Grouping subpane, select the Table drop-down found on the navigation toolbar.
2) Select a Table that contains the fields you want to group data by in the report.
a. A special table labeled CALCULATION is available. This table lists the Calculation Fields defined in the Report Writer-Calculations
subpane.
3) Click the Add Record icon, select one or more Fields, and click OK. The Grouping Fields are added with system-defined formatting
applied.
4) For each Grouping Field added, you can change any of the settings as described below:
a. The listing of the Grouping Fields from top to bottom determines the hierarchy of the Grouping of data within reports. The top
Grouping Field in the list is the highest or top level of groupings. The next Grouping Field in the list is at the second level of the
grouping hierarchy; and so on. Once Grouping Fields are added, you can move any Grouping Field up or down in the list by
selecting a Field in the list and clicking the Move Up icon or the Move Down icon found on the navigation toolbar.
b. Click in the Caption cell and enter a new Caption that replaces the system-defined Field Description.
c. The Table Description field displays the table that was selected when adding the Field. The Field Description is the default label
of the Field selected. Both of these fields are read-only.
d. Click the Alignment drop-down and select either Left, Center, or Right to define how the Grouping Field values align within the
Grouping Field. For text the default alignment is Left and for numeric data the default alignment is Right.
e. Click in the Left Padding cell and enter a Value, either in inches or centimeters, as defined by the Paper Units. This determines
the distance from the left margin that the Grouping label is displayed in the report.
f. Each Grouping Field has a system-defined width. Click in the Width cell and enter a Width value, either in inches or centimeters,
as defined by the Paper Units.
g. Check the Title checkbox if you want to include the Field Description Label in the report. For instance, if the Control Account ID
is used as the Grouping Field, then the label Control Account ID is displayed in the report.
h. Check the ID checkbox if the Grouping Field is an ID Field and if you want to display the ID. If this is unchecked, you would
typically check the Description checkbox.
i. Check the Des checkbox if the Grouping Field is an ID Field and if you want to display the corresponding Description.
j. Click the Field Format cell and select a Font Style. The Font Styles available are those available with the Microsoft Windows
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Operating System. Be careful that you only select those Font Styles that are readily available to other PRISM Users.
k. Click the Font Size drop-down and select a Font Size.
l. Click the Font Color drop-down and select a Font Color.
m. Check the Bold checkbox to apply a Bold format to the Font.
n. Check the Italics checkbox to apply an Italic format to the Font.
o. Click the Sort Order drop-down and select either A-Z (ascending) or Z-A (descending). This option is used to determine how
Grouping Fields are sorted alphanumerically, using the Field ID.
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To Assign Sorting:
1) In the Sorting subpane, select the Table drop-down found on the navigation toolbar.
2) Select a Table that contains the fields you want to sort data by in the report.
a. A special table labeled Calculations is available. This table lists the Calculation Fields defined in the Report Writer-Calculations
subpane.
3) Click the Add Record icon, select one or more Fields, and click OK. The Sorting Fields are added.
4) For each Sorting Field added, you can change any of the settings as described below:
a. The listing of the Sorting Fields from top to bottom determines the hierarchy of the Sorting of data within reports. The top
Sorting Field in the list is the first level of sorting. The next Sorting Field in the list is the second level of sort; and so on. Once
Sorting Fields are added, you can move any Sorting Field up or down in the list by selecting a Field in the list and clicking the
Move Up icon or the Move Down icon found on the navigation toolbar.
b. The Table Description field displays the table that was selected when adding the Field. The Field Description is the default label
of the Field selected. Both of these fields are read-only.
c. Click the Sort Order drop-down and select either A-Z (ascending) or Z-A (descending). This option is used to determine how
Sorting Fields are sorted alphanumerically.
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10) Click the Create PDF icon to create a PDF of the report without opening the Print Preview form. The File Name will have to be
identified in the File Name box on the Report Writer Specification data pane.
Once the Specification ID is added to the Report Library, the Report is found in the Report Menu of the Enterprise Reports or Project Reports
panes.
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Watermark
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Reports generated in PRISM contain a Watermark as proof that the data displayed in the report comes directly for the PRISM database
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and is unaltered. The watermark is simply the word PRISM , which is placed in the bottom center of the report in a light gray font. The Print
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Preview form in PRISM has features that allow these reports to be exported to Microsoft Excel or Word. Any PRISM report that is exported
will NOT have this watermark applied. The reason for this is that reports exported to Microsoft Excel or Word can be modified using these
other applications. Therefore, the absence of the watermark indicates the data are circumspect, because of this possibility of alteration.
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Installation and Deployment
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PRISM can be deployed to users throughout your organization using various deployment options or it can be installed on a single standalone
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computer. Installing PRISM , no matter the deployment option selected, is not a difficult process. This guide provides instructions on how to
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install and deploy PRISM . In addition, it also provides information on the various licensing options, the process for transferring data from
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PRISM Project Manager 5.1 to PRISM , and how to upgrade or uninstall PRISM .
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Sizing/Deployment Considerations
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There are several factors to be aware of that will ultimately drive the Size and scale of the PRISM Deployment:
Number of Concurrent Users
Number of Projects
Number of Master Records
Number of Snapshot Databases Required
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ARES Project Management LLC recommends that the hardware used for a PRISM implementation is expandable and scalable. As your
organization grows, this will help ensure that significant capital costs are not required due to future hardware replacement.
Database
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PRISM supports Microsoft SQL Server versions 2008, 2008 R2, 2012, and Oracle 11g or higher as back-end databases. An enterprise should
maintain a single Database instance or schema for each deployment environment.
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Client Workstations running PRISM must have the capability to connect to whichever database engine is selected. If Oracle is used as a
back-end database, then the Oracle Instant Client utilities must be installed. If Microsoft SQL Server is selected, then nothing additional is
required.
Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Core Edition None Purchased separately; good for larger number of concurrent users and network distributions
Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2 None Purchased separately; good for larger number of concurrent users and network distributions
Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2 Express 10 GB Available to download from Microsoft (http://www.microsoft.com/)
Microsoft SQL Server 2012 None Purchased separately; good for larger number of concurrent users and network distributions
Compatible with Windows 7 and newer; Available to download from Microsoft
Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Express 10 GB
(http://www.microsoft.com/)
Microsoft SQL Server 2014 None Purchased separately; good for larger number of concurrent users and network distributions
Microsoft SQL Sever 2014 Express 10 GB Available do download from Microsoft
Oracle 11g or higher None Purchased separately; good for larger number of concurrent users and network distributions
Oracle Database 11g Express Edition 4 GB Available to download from Oracle.
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Database Server
The Database Server is highly reliant on the disk input/output and the CPU. It is important to ensure the database server is optimized with a
SCSI interface in a RAID configuration for fast disk access. This will increase data access on the server and overall performance.
The minimum and recommended hardware requirements for the database server are described in the table below:
Application Server
An Application Server is used in LAN (Local Area Network) and WAN (Wide Area Network) installations where multiple users require
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concurrent access to PRISM . The application server functions as a simple file share and licensing gateway for Clients. Users will be able to
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start PRISM directly through the shared Universal Naming Convention (UNC) or from a copy installed directly on their machine. The
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application server is highly reliant on network speed in a LAN configuration. Because the application server hosts a full copy of PRISM , the
hardware requirements are identical to that of a standalone installation on a Workstation.
The minimum and recommended hardware requirements for the application server are described in the table below:
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Workstation
The end-user's Workstation is used for both Standalone and Client/Server deployments. In both cases, the hardware and software
requirements are the same.
The minimum and recommended hardware requirements for the Workstation are described in the table below.
Network
The optimal Network configuration is a LAN with a 1000 Mbps connection speed from the database and application to the Workstations. On a
global network, if the latency is high, some sort of Remote Access such as Citrix or Microsoft Application Virtualization is recommended.
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PRISM performs optimally in a LAN configuration with 1000 Mbps or faster connection speed from the application Workstation to the
database server. At a minimum, the connection must be Half a T1 which provides connection speeds of at least 768 Kbps.
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Note that future upgrades of PRISM may include an updated version of the Crystal Reports Runtime application.
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If PRISM is being deployed using some form of Remote Access, then the Crystal Reports Runtime Server license will need to be purchased
separately.
Deployment Options
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PRISM can be configured and deployed in your organization in a way that best suits the needs of the users. Below are brief descriptions of
the various Deployment Options and when it is suitable to use each of them.
Standalone
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The standalone deployment option is the fastest method to get PRISM deployed. All application components are
installed on the end-users Workstation and data is stored in a local copy of Microsoft SQL Server Express.
The standalone option provides the best application performance and is recommended for single-user
evaluations. A specific license is required to enable the application to function in standalone mode.
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Remote Access
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PRISM can be installed on an Application Server and virtualized using third-party software like Citrix XenApp, VMWare ThinApp, or Microsoft
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App-V. Deploying PRISM with virtualization software eliminates the need for the application to be installed on the end-user's Workstations.
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Client machines can access PRISM through a thin Client interface managed through the third-party software.
The reasons for using a Remote Access or Application Hosting are as follows:
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Install PRISM on a single server or farm and use third-party tools to virtualize the software.
Use Citrix, Microsoft Application Virtualization, or other software to provide thin Client access to terminals in your environment.
Requires a single server license.
Provides the fastest distribution to largest numbers of users.
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Network Diagram
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Licensing
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The PRISM license permits the installation of the software on an Application Server or a Client Workstation. Users may access the PRISM
software from their Workstations.
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PRISM licenses stipulate certain items based on what was purchased and when it was purchased:
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Maximum number of users for each PRISM package
Expiration date
Valid machine name
Named User
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Users can access PRISM concurrently from their Workstations as long as they are a Named User. The license file contains the maximum
number of Users for each package based on the configuration purchased. The Named User license file also contains the maximum number of
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Users that can be entered into the User table. The license file contains the Server Name. PRISM will not run if the application files are
relocated to a different Application Server.
Pre-installation Tips
The installation and upgrade process can be straightforward or complicated depending on the many variables associated with each Client's IT
configurations. The following tips can be helpful when preparing for the installation process.
Fill-out the Pre-installation Technical Survey (on page 820) supplied with this Installation and Deployment guide or provided to you
by a PRISM representative. Return the Survey to the PRISM representative or to PRISM Support in order to evaluate your current
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infrastructure and provide recommendations on optimizing the deployment of PRISM .
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Ensure that the End User has Administration Privileges on the computer where PRISM is being installed. Without this permission,
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the Microsoft Windows operating system will not allow the PRISM Installer program to run.
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Determine the installation path where you want PRISM to be installed. It is recommended that the default installation path
(C:\Program Files\ARES\PRISM G2) be used. This allows the operating system to protect the application from unauthorized access.
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Only one copy of PRISM should be loaded onto a computer.
Determine if there is an existing database on the computer. Running both Microsoft SQL Server Express 2005 and Microsoft SQL
Server Express 2008 on the same computer can create problems. This is because the SQL Server Express Tools are installed on a
shared directory and two versions of SQL Server Express Tools are not supported.
The work around is to uninstall Microsoft SQL Server Express 2005 Tools (Add/Remove Programs > SQL 2005 > Change/Select >
Workstation Components > Remove). This process will not remove the Microsoft SQL 2005 Express database engine.
This works because Microsoft SQL Server Express 2008 is backward-compatible with Microsoft SQL Server 2005 and the 2008
Tools can be used to manage the 2005 database.
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If Snapshot Databases are going to be used, consider the Database Server and Application Server requirements to ensure the
Snapshot Utility setup can be completed.
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Determine if other versions of Crystal Reports Runtime are currently installed. It is important to note that PRISM uses Crystal
Reports Runtime.
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PRISM data should always be backed up prior to upgrading to a new build.
The Microsoft Windows Installer 4.5 is installed onto the computer (if it does not currently reside on the computer) as part of the
Installation process. Once installed, the Installation program will require a reboot of the computer. If this does not occur, then the
installation of Microsoft SQL will fail.
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It is recommended that any Microsoft Windows updates and security patches are installed prior to installing PRISM . A reboot of the
computer is necessary for the updates and security patches to be enabled.
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ARES may be requested to develop custom reports or custom programming. Customization is developed using the latest PRISM
build. It is possible that the customized features will only work with that build and will not be backward or forward compatible with
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older or newer builds of PRISM .
Installing PRISM G2
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PRISM provides an installation program that helps automate the installation no matter which deployment configuration is utilized.
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Once PRISM is purchased, the application and a license file are provided to the Client electronically, typically via a web-based portal. The
application can be installed prior to receiving a license; however, the application will not function until a license has been loaded. The
application setup package contains the following items:
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PRISM application
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PRISM Installation program
Crystal Reports Runtime application
Microsoft SQL Server Express database
Oracle Instant Client
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PRISM Installation and Deployment Guide (pdf)
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PRISM Release Notes
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PRISM Client Technical Survey to Support Product Installation
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PRISM User Guide
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As previously described, there are various ways to deploy PRISM . Installation instructions are provided to handle these configurations.
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Installation Requirements
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The PRISM Installation program uses the Microsoft.NET 2.0 Framework. It is highly recommended that the operating system has the latest
Windows updates and security patches.
Note that .NET security patches are distributed by Microsoft through Windows updates.
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The PRISM Installation program uses a simple wizard application to manage PRISM installations. It can be used to install PRISM the first
G2 G2 G2
time, update PRISM when new releases are provided, install third-party applications needed to operate PRISM , and uninstall the PRISM
application. The Installation program requires the installer to have an administrator account to the operating system on the Application Server
or Client Workstation where the application is being installed. Microsoft Windows will display a User Account Control (UAC) dialog prompting
the user for a privileged account. If one cannot be provided, the Installation program will close.
Installation Program
The Installation Program performs the following functions:
Determines if the required Microsoft .NET and Microsoft Installer components are installed
Missing components are automatically installed and/or a link to the Microsoft website for downloading the components is
provided
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Determines if a version of PRISM is already installed
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Allows the user to install PRISM the first time or update to the current version
Allows the user to install Microsoft SQL Server Express 2008 (R2)
Installs Oracle Instant Client Drivers
Installs Crystal Reports Runtime
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Provides the option to repair the current version of PRISM
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Provides the option to uninstall the current version of PRISM
Microsoft SQL Server Express database can also be uninstalled
Microsoft SQL Server Express database instance can also be uninstalled
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Note that future upgrades of PRISM may include an updated version of the Microsoft .NET Framework and Windows Installer
components.
Installation Recommendations
The following recommendations should be considered:
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It is recommended that PRISM is installed using the default path in program files. This will allow the operating system to protect the
application from unauthorized access. Installation anywhere else can open the application up to potential security threats.
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Only one copy of PRISM should be loaded on a computer at a time.
Installation Process
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Prior to beginning the installation process, you will need access to the PRISM Installation Program and License File. You can then use the
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following steps to download and run the PRISM Installation program. This program is also used to install an update.
Note that Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 is required in order to run the Installation program. This framework is included in all
up-to-date and supported Microsoft Windows operating systems. If your machine does not have .NET Framework 2.0 installed,
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you can either access and run Windows updates or you can run the dotnetfx.exe file found in the PRISM setup directory; both
will install the framework.
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To Install PRISMG2:
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A. Open the PRISM Installer
1) Close all Windows applications.
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2) Unzip the PRISM Installation Program zip file into a folder on your computer.
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3) Locate the Installation Program's Setup.exe file using Microsoft Windows Explorer and run the executable. The PRISM Installer form
is displayed.
a. If the Administrator privileges are not available, you will have to enter the credentials for a user with administrative privileges.
4) The default language is English and currently the only supported language. Once other languages are supported, click the Language
drop-down in the lower left-hand corner of the Installer form to select a different language, if necessary.
5) Click Next.
B. Agree to the Terms of the License Agreement
1) After you have read, understand, and agree to the License Agreement, check the Agree to Terms checkbox.
2) Click Next.
C. Verify Installation Prerequisites
1) The Installation Program determines if the required
Microsoft .NET and Microsoft Installer components are
installed. A check mark next to each component listed
on the form indicates the component is installed.
a. If the Microsoft .NET components are not installed,
follow the prompts to download and install each
component.
b. The Installation program will check for the required
dependencies and will install any that are not
detected. You may be prompted to restart your
computer after the installation of certain
prerequisites. This is mandatory for installation to
be completed.
c. If necessary, click the Recheck button to ensure
the components are installed. The Installation
program will not continue until all prerequisite
checks have been satisfied.
2) Click Next.
D. Choose Installation Type and Components
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1) If PRISM is not currently installed, you will have a choice to click one of the three Installation Type radio buttons:
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a. Standalone - PRISM is typically installed on a Workstation and, by default, Microsoft SQL Server Express is installed as the
database (Server).
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b. Application Server - PRISM is installed on an Application Server. By default, Microsoft SQL Server Express is NOT installed.
Generally, this configuration requires a Microsoft SQL Server database or an Oracle database to be installed separately, either on
the Application Server or a separate Database Server.
c. Custom - this selection is used to pick specific items to be installed.
2) The Components Included are automatically set depending on the Installation Type selected. Uncheck any items that are not
required for your environment.
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a. PRISM - keep this option selected.
b. Microsoft SQL Server Express - select this option if you plan to use the SQL Server Express database.
c. Crystal Reports Runtime - keep this option selected since it is necessary to run reports.
d. Oracle Instant Client - select this option if you plan to utilize an Oracle database or if you plan to import Primavera P6 schedules
and Primavera is utilizing an Oracle database.
3) Click Next.
E. Choose a Path
1) A prompt to create the directory C:\Program Files\ARES\PRISM G2 is displayed if it does not exist. Click Yes to create this directory.
This is where the application files will be installed.
a. Using the default path is recommended. The Microsoft Windows operating system typically provides security to protect the
application from unauthorized access when placed in Program Files.
2) Click in the Company Name box and enter the Company Name.
3) Leave the Serial Number set as PRISMG2.
4) Click Next to begin the installation.
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To Upgrade PRISMG2:
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1) If you want to update an older version of PRISM to the latest version, you will need to follow Steps A through C listed above.
a. Utilize the installation program executable labeled Setup.exe.
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2) Once you have completed verifying the Installation prerequisites, the installation program will detect the older version of PRISM on
your machine. If you are using Setup.exe to upgrade the application, your Custom report, license, and connection files, will be
backed-up and repopulated during the installation process.
a. If your installation is configured as a Standalone, you are presented with two options:
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Update to version XX - this will automatically uninstall PRISM and re-install the newer version of PRISM . Any database
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changes introduced in new releases will be applied the first time PRISM is opened by an administrative user.
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Remove this copy (Uninstall version XX) - performs an uninstall of the PRISM application.
b. If your installation is configured as Client-Server Installation, you must Remove this copy (Uninstall version XX).
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3) If the same version of PRISM is already installed on the machine, choose one of three options:
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a. PRISM is up to date, do nothing - indicates that you have the latest version, you can click Done and the installation process is
halted.
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b. Remove this copy (Uninstall version XX) - performs an uninstall of the PRISM application when Next is clicked.
c. Repair this installation - sets the Installation Type to Custom when Next is clicked. The components identified in Step D.2 above
are available to be included in the installation. Follow the prompts to install the selected components.
4) Follow Step G above.
To Access PRISMG2:
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1) After completing the installation, you can access PRISM by double-clicking the PRISM shortcut on your computer's desktop.
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2) The Login screen will appear and prompt for your username and password. To initially access PRISM you will enter
ADMINISTRATOR in the Username box and ADMINISTRATOR in the Password box.
3) Click Login.
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Note that If you are unable to log in due to an invalid license message please contact PRISM Licensing
(prismg2licensing@aresprism.com). A valid license must exist in the folder PRISM G2\Settings and Resources\License Files for
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PRISM to function.
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Client-Server Installation
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To install PRISM in a Client-Server environment, the application must first be installed, shared, and configured on an Application Server.
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After configuring the installation on the Application Server, the application can be installed on each client workstation using the PRISM
Launcher. Client-server installation is the recommended method when using a publishing software (i.e., Citrix, Microsoft App-V).
3) Alternatively, you can use Microsoft Windows Explorer to create the share.
a. Apply any permissions and security groups to the application share.
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b. Authorized PRISM Users should be given Read and Execute rights to the directory.
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c. If you manually created the share, ensure the shared directory is valid in the PRISM setup application.
Note that upgrading the Application Server is described in the Installation Process.
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The PRISM Launcher is an optional component for starting the software from Client Workstations. This utility can be used to install,
upgrade, and repair the application on the Client Workstations.
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Note that PRISM LauncherSettings.XML file may need to be manually modified in certain high-security environments.
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Now that the Application Server is setup, Users can install PRISM on their Client Workstation. This configuration enables users to install a
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local copy of PRISM but still utilize the license that exists on the Application Server.
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b. <SetupPath>\\machine-name\ARES\Setup</SetupPath>
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Found on Line 21. The Setup Path must point to a shared directory where the latest PRISM setup files exist. By default, the
latest setup files will exist in a directory similar to the one shown above.
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Now that the Application Server is setup, Users can install PRISM on their Client Workstation. This configuration enables users to install a
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local copy of PRISM but still utilize the license that exists on the Application Server.
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Argument Description
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-s -p <path> Installs PRISM in Client server mode (these are two separate arguments that must be passed together)
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-sm Installs, upgrades, or uninstalls PRISM silently (this bypasses all user interfaces, including prerequisite checks and utilities,
and forces an installation of all program files
Database Setup
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When PRISM is installed in a LAN or WAN environment, the database must be installed, configured, and maintained manually by a database
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administrator. PRISM supports Microsoft SQL Server 2008, 2008 R2, 2012, and Oracle 11g or newer. ARES provides two different methods
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for creating a PRISM database. The first method uses a Database Setup Utility supplied with the PRISM application which runs a series of
database scripts in order to create the database objects. The second method allows the database administrator to run a series of scripts using
standard tools and practices to define the database and then establish the connection to the database.
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Below are high-level steps to configure and connect to the PRISM database. Depending on the environment, some steps can be modified to
meet the organization's individual needs and best practices.
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METHOD 1
Click in the User Name box and enter a SQL Server User Name that has the rights to connect to Microsoft SQL and create
database objects.
Click in the Password box and enter the SQL Server User's Password.
4) If Oracle is selected as the Database Type (The Snapshot purpose option is automatically selected and cannot be changed.):
a. Click in the SID box and enter a unique Service Identifier which is the Oracle database name.
b. Click in the Host Computer box and enter the Oracle Host String which is the Machine Name or the IP Address.
c. Click in the Schema box and enter an existing Schema Name that will host the database objects.
Note that during the initial setup the Snapshot Oracle schema must be given DBA rights. This is required in order to grant
appropriate table permissions which enabled communication between the application schema and snapshot schema. This can
be revoked after the initial snapshot has been set up.
d. Click in the Password box and enter the Schema User's Password.
5) Click Next and then click Done once the setup is completed.
METHOD 2
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d. Run the Oracle scripts to create tables, indexes, views, and data in the PRISM schema.
Note that all objects and data are created beneath the schema level.
3) Click the Connection Name found in the Database Connections tree on the left-hand side of the form. The default connection name is
MSSQL - LOCAL DB.
4) Click the Database/Connection Type drop-down and select either an Oracle database or a Microsoft SQL database.
5) Click in the Connection Name box and modify the Connection Name. This is the name that will be listed in the Database Connections
list on the left-hand side of the form.
6) Click in the Host Computer box and enter the Host Computer's Name or IP Address.
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7) Click in the Database Name box and enter a Database Name. This is a user-defined name that is established in the database when it
is created.
8) Click the Authentication Type drop-down and select either Database or Operating System.
a. If Database is selected, then Users will have to enter a User Name and Password during Login. The User Name and Password is
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established in the PRISM database.
b. If Operating System is selected, and if the User has logged into the Microsoft Windows operating system, they will not have to
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enter a User Name and Password to Login to PRISM . The PRISM Login screen is bypassed.
9) Click in the Schema Name box and enter a Schema Name. This is a user-defined name that is established in the database when it is
created.
10) Click in the User Name box and enter the User Name of the Database Administrator, Database owner, or Schema user.
11) Click in the Password box and enter the Password of the User.
12) Click the Test Connection button to ensure the Database Connection requirements are entered correctly.
a. A prompt will indicate if the connection was successful or it will identify the issues that need to be resolved.
13) The Upgrade/Fix Database button is used to update the database to the latest specifications and to potential database problems are
repaired.
a. Upgrades to the database are automatically done when installing application updates.
b. There should be no reason to use this feature unless PRISM Support requests that you run the upgrade.
14) Click OK.
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Once a User is added they can then login to PRISM . The system will automatically enter the User ID based on the Username entered when
accessing Microsoft Windows operating system. All the User will need to do is enter their Password that they use when logging into Microsoft
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Windows. If the User wanting to login into PRISM is the Administrator, then they will have to use a feature to switch the User ID to
Administrator.
To Login to PRISMG2:
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1) Click the PRISM shortcut. Notice that the PRISM Login screen appears and the User ID is set to Username used when entering
Microsoft Windows.
a. To login as the Administrator, click the User ID browse feature. This will automatically change the User ID to Administrator.
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b. PRISM does not have the capability to delete the Administrator; however, if Administrator is deleted from the database, this
feature will not work.
2) Click in the Password box and enter the Password used when entering Microsoft Windows.
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3) Click the Login button and PRISM is opened.
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Uninstalling PRISM G2
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Before Uninstalling PRISM you may want to archive (on page 213) your Administration, Enterprise, and Project Data in order to retain a
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backup of the data. Alternatively, the database administrator can copy the PRISM database.
The uninstall program provides the User a choice to remove three items:
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PRISM application
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PRISM standalone database
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PRISM standalone Microsoft SQL Server Instance
The uninstall program does not provide a way to remove Microsoft SQL Server or Oracle databases that were configured separately.
To Uninstall PRISMG2:
1) Click the Microsoft Windows Start button.
2) In All Programs, locate and click the ARES Corporation folder.
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3) Click Uninstall. The Remove PRISM Application checkbox is automatically checked and cannot be unchecked.
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4) Check the Remove PRISM SQL Server Database checkbox, if you want to remove the data in the database.
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5) Check the Remove SQL Server Instance if you want to completely remove the PRISM Instance from Microsoft SQL Server Express.
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a. Selecting this option will launch the Microsoft SQL Server Uninstall utility. This utility gives you the choice to remove the PRISM
Instance and other associated objects.
Note that the Microsoft SQL Server Instance should not be removed from version to version. This option should only be selected
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if you want to completely uninstall PRISM from the computer or server.
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Chapter 22 Installation and Deployment
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This program allows for the transfer of a predefined set of data from PRISM Project Manager to PRISM . Due to differences in
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the way data is presented and stored in PRISM , not ALL data is transferable. The data structures between the two systems for
the Cost Management package are the most similar and, therefore provides for the best data transfer. The transfer of data for
the Engineering, Procurement, and Contracts packages is very limited due to significant differences in data structures. Other
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Project level data in PRISM Project Manager which is at the Enterprise level in PRISM will require redefinition. Upon public
release of the program, release notes are offered to assist you in understanding data anomalies.
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Once a PRISM Project Manager project is restored into PRISM , there may be some modifications that you will need to set. For instance, if
the project is to be displayed in Enterprise reports, then Reporting Periods, Control Elements, and Currencies will have to be cross-referenced
to their equivalent Enterprise definitions. A list of items to review and possibly define, modify, or fix are listed below. If you are planning on
reporting multiple projects at the Enterprise level, then many of these definitions and modifications are not necessary.
Identify the project as an Enterprise project Enterprise > Data > Projects
Review, modify, and set Project Settings PRISM Button > Project Settings
Cross-reference Reporting Periods to Enterprise Periods Define > Shared > Reporting Periods
Cross-reference Control Elements to Enterprise Elements Define > Shared > Control Elements
Cross-reference Currencies to Enterprise Currencies (for Multi-currency projects) Define > Shared > Currencies
Define Document Types Enterprise > Shared > Document Types
Cost Management > Change Management > Budget/EAC Changes -
Assign Change Documents to a Document Type
Documents
Define Enterprise Time Phased Data Curves Enterprise > Shared > TPD Curves
Define Project Groups Enterprise > Codes > Project Groups
Assign Project Groups to the Project Enterprise > Data > Projects - Project Groups
Define Enterprise Groups Enterprise > Codes > Enterprise Groups
Assign Enterprise Groups to Master Records Assigned in each Master Record's Groups subpane
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Define Enterprise Change Status codes Enterprise > Shared > Change Status
Re-assign Change Status codes on Changes Cost Management > Change Management > Budget/EAC Changes
Define Enterprise Change Events Template Enterprise > Cost > Change Events
Transfer Enterprise Change Events Template to the project Define > Cost > Change Events
Define Change Varieties Enterprise > Shared > Change Varieties
Assign Change Varieties to Changes Cost Management > Change Management > Budget/EAC Changes
Define Enterprise Funding Sources Enterprise > Cost > Funding Sources
Set Enterprise Setting options Enterprise > Tools > Settings
Review, modify, and set Cost Management Setting options Cost Management > Tools > Settings
Cost Management > Schedule > Activities
Populate Control Dates in Schedule Activities
use Utilities > Schedule > Copy Schedule Dates
Cost Management > Cost > Control Accounts
Populate Baseline and Control Schedule Dates
use Utilities > Shared > Copy Schedule Dates
Populate Curve ID for Baseline Budget and Control Budget Cost Management > Cost > Control Accounts
Copy Approved Budget to Control Budget Utilities > Cost > Copy Amounts
Time Phase Baseline and Control Budgets Cost Management > Calculations > Spread TPD
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6) Check the Enterprise Project checkbox if the project is to be available in Enterprise reporting.
7) Check the Multi-Currency checkbox if the project is to utilize multiple currency features.
8) Click OK.
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Note that if an Oracle database is used for the P6 application, then the Oracle Install Client must be installed on the Client
Workstation. If not, then the Import Primavera P6 Schedule Data feature will not function.
Technical Contact
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1) Who is the authorized technical support contact for PRISM in your company?
Name: ___________________________________________________________________
Email: ___________________________________________________________________
Phone: ___________________________________________________________________
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Chapter 22 Installation and Deployment
Location: ___________________________________________________________________
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2) Who is the IT contact for PRISM (if different than the authorized technical support contact)?
Name: ___________________________________________________________________
Email: ___________________________________________________________________
Phone: ___________________________________________________________________
Location: ___________________________________________________________________
3) If your support or technical resources are located outside of North America, what are their hours of availability in relation to U.S.
Pacific Standard Time?
From: ___________________________________________________________________
To: ___________________________________________________________________
4) Is there a specific day and time that you prefer installing service packs, if necessary? ARES Project Management will make every
attempt to accommodate your availability.
No Yes Day: ____________________ Time: ________________________
Installation Type
1) What type of installation will you be performing?
Standalone
Local Area Network (LAN)
Wide Area Network (WAN)
Remote Access
Citrix
Windows Terminal Services
Virtual Machine
Virtual Private Network (VPN)
Connection Speed: ____________________________________________
Shared (Yes/No): ____________________________________________
Other: ___________________________________________________________________
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2) Which of the following Microsoft Windows Operating Systems is installed on the Application Server that will be running PRISM ?
Microsoft Windows Server 2003
Service Pack Level: _____________________________________________
Language: _____________________________________________
Microsoft Windows Server 2008
Service Pack Level: _____________________________________________
Language: _____________________________________________
Other
Operating System: ______________________________________________
Service Pack Level: ______________________________________________
Language: ______________________________________________
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3) If applicable, what are the specifications of the Application Server that will host the PRISM application?
Processor: _____________________________________________________
Memory: _____________________________________________________
Hard Disk Space: _____________________________________________________
Connection Type: _____________________________________________________
Connection Speed: _____________________________________________________
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G2
4) Will the PRISM application and database be installed on the same server?
Yes
No
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5) Which of the following Microsoft Windows Operating Systems is installed on the server that will host the PRISM database?
Microsoft Windows Server 2003
Service Pack Level: ______________________________________
Language: ______________________________________
Microsoft Windows Server 2008
Service Pack Level: ______________________________________
Language: ______________________________________
Other
Operating System: ______________________________________
Service Pack Level: ______________________________________
Language: ______________________________________
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6) If applicable, what are the specifications of the database server that will host the PRISM database?
Processor: _____________________________________________________
Memory: _____________________________________________________
Hard Disk Space: _____________________________________________________
Connection Type: _____________________________________________________
Connection Speed: _____________________________________________________
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7) Will the Client Workstation or Application Server that hosts the PRISM database host any other databases simultaneously?
No Yes What other database applications are installed? ________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
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10) Are the Microsoft Windows Updates and Security Patches up to date on each Client Workstation and/or server?
Yes No What is your company’s policy for installing updates and patches? ________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
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11) Which of the following database platforms will be used to host the PRISM data?
Microsoft SQL Server Version: ________________________________________________________________
Oracle Version: ________________________________________________________________
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12) Do you have any hardware/software firewalls that may affect the installation and/or use of PRISM ?
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PRISM Application Server: Yes No
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PRISM Database Server Yes No
Oracle Primavera Database Server Yes No
13) If any PRISM products are currently installed or were previously installed on the Client machines using an Oracle database, each Client
machine will have a full Oracle Client installation. If this is the case, do all Client machines have a full Oracle Client installation?
Yes No Not Applicable
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14) Do you use any antivirus programs that may affect the installation and/or use of PRISM ?
No Yes Antivirus Program: ________________________________________________________________
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15) The PRISM applications are resource and memory intensive. Are there any other applications installed on the Client machines that
will compete for resources that could possibly cause performance issues?
No Yes Please list the applications that are installed: __________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
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16) Please provide a diagram of your environment, including other site locations and the connection speed for each location similar to the
example below.
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17) Are all of your PRISM users and the PRISM server(s) on the same subnet?
Yes No
Schedule Integration
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1) Which scheduling application(s) will you be using for integration with PRISM ?
Oracle Primavera P6 Version: ______________________________________
Microsoft Project Client Version: ______________________________________
Microsoft Project Server Version: ______________________________________
2) If you will be using Oracle Primavera P6 to assist us in understanding the load that will be placed on the server, how many users do
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you anticipate utilizing the integration between Oracle Primavera and PRISM concurrently? ____________________________
3) If you will be using Oracle Primavera P6, which of the following database platforms is being used to host the Oracle Primavera data?
Microsoft SQL Server Version: ______________________________________
Oracle Version: ______________________________________
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Chapter 23
Contact Us
ARES Project Management LLC provides quality software products (see "Introduction to the PRISM G2 Management Suite" on page 2) and an
entire range of services to support those products. Feel free to contact us regarding any of our products and services including requesting a
software demonstration or a price quote.
If you currently own any PRISM software applications you can contact us with support questions or inquire about training, implementation, or
customization services. We also encourage you to provide us with any feedback that will help to improve our PRISM products and your user
experience.
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Technical Support
ARES Project Management LLC offers a variety of support options to help you with your technical questions. Support is available Monday
through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (Pacific Time) for all registered Clients with a current maintenance agreement. Please contact our
PRISM Software Support staff using one of the following methods.
Prior to contacting ARES, please make sure you are at your computer and can provide the following information. The items identified with an
G2
"*" asterisk are located in the About PRISM form:
Personal contact information
G2
PRISM or PRISM software product
Version number *
Build number *
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Chapter 23 Contact Us
Customization Services
ARES Project Management LLC's software products are supported by a staff that understands that no two projects, or clients, are alike. Our
flexible software suite can be tailored to meet the unique requirements of your project or enterprise. Our PRISM developers and support staff
include project management professionals with many years of hands-on field experience in implementing and managing projects. Our goal is
to provide management tools that work for you. We listen to and understand your needs to provide the customization that effectively meets
your unique requirements.
Below is a list of customization services that ARES can provide:
Custom programming to incorporate unique requirements into our existing software.
Custom programming to develop new applications.
Custom programming to integrate our software with your existing products.
Development of custom reports and graphs.
For more information about customization, contact one of our PRISM Sales Representatives (http://www.aresprism.com/support/contact/).
Feedback
We are highly interested in your feedback. Our PRISM products are developed and improved through the suggestions and requests of our
G2
clients. Please provide us your feedback by submitting a ticket through our PRISM Support Portal
(http://www.aresprism.com/support/support-portal/).
You can provide your suggestions on any of the following topics or a topic of your choosing:
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ARES Project Management End User License Agreement
This End User License Agreement ("Agreement") is entered into as of the last date below by and between ARES Project Management LLC, and
its licensees, successors and assigns ("ARES") and you (an individual, a business or government entity and its authorized employees) who has
lawfully acquired a copy of this Software from ARES or an ARES authorized representative ("Licensee") and governs the terms and conditions
of access and use of the PRISM G2, PRISM Project Manager, PRISM Project Estimator, PRISM G2 Dashboards, as well as the associated
electronic documents, and any updates and/or upgrades ARES makes generally available to licensees of these products (collectively, the
"Software"). ARES and Licensee hereafter, may be referred to individually a "Party" and collectively "Parties."
1. License Grant
1.1 License to Licensee. Conditioned upon compliance with terms and conditions of this Agreement and any associated ARES purchase
order, ARES grants to Licensee a non-exclusive, non-transferable, non-sublicensable limited right to either install and use the Software on: (i) a
single computer for internal use only; or (ii) a single server for multi-user named and concurrent access over a secure Local Area Network or
secure Wide Area Network, that is owned, leased or otherwise controlled by Licensee for internal use only. If you purchased multiple licenses
for the Software, then at any time you may have as many copies of the Software in use as you have licenses. The Software is "in use" on a
computer when it is loaded into the temporary memory (i.e., RAM) or installed into the permanent memory (i.e., hard disk or other storage
device) of that computer.
1.2 Limited right to Create Customized Products. This Software allows Licensee to input data to personalize the Software, thereby
creating a customized product ("Customized Product"). If Licensee creates a Customized Product, Licensee represents and warrants that
Licensee has all rights, licenses, authorizations, permissions or clearances necessary to input the data for use in connection with the Software
without violation of law, rule regulation or third party proprietary right. Licensee’s use of a Customized Product is subject to the license
granted in Section 1.1 and the terms and conditions of this Agreement. Licensee shall not use any Customized Product for any other purpose
without ARES’ prior written authorization.
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1.3 License to ARES. Licensee shall provide to ARES (no less than one time per year during the term of this Agreement) a copy of all
Customized Products created using publicly available data (excluding proprietary data or classified data). Licensee hereby grants to ARES a
worldwide, fully paid-up, royalty-free, non-exclusive, sub-licensable, transferable, perpetual license to copy, modify, distribute, publicly
perform and publicly display the Customized Product and use, make have made, sell have sold the Customized Product and products
containing the Customized Product. Licensee represents and warrants that ARES and its licensees, successors and assigns may use, as it deems
appropriate in its sole discretion, the publicly available data (in whole or in part) in connection with the commercial exploitation of the
Software, the Customized Product or any derivative work of the Software, without charge (fee or royalty), restriction, condition, duty or
obligation of any kind to Licensee. Upon request, Licensee shall provide ARES with information regarding the public sources from which the
derivative data in the Customized Product was obtained. ARES understands and acknowledges that except as set forth in this Agreement, all
Customized Products delivered to ARES hereunder are "AS IS" without representation or warranty of any kind, express or implied, including
but not limited to the implied warranties of fitness for a particular purpose, merchantability, title and non-infringement.
2.0 Confidentiality
This Software and any information disclosed by ARES to Licensee under this Agreement, either directly or indirectly, in writing, verbally or by
inspection of tangible objects is ARES proprietary and confidential information ("Confidential Information"). Licensee shall not to use any
Confidential Information for any purpose except to exercise its rights and perform its obligations under this Agreement. Licensee shall not to
disclose any Confidential Information to third parties or to such party’s employees, except to those employees of the receiving party with a
need to know. Licensee shall take reasonable measures to protect the secrecy of and avoid disclosure and unauthorized use of the
Confidential Information, including without limitation, ensuring that its employees who have access to Confidential Information have signed a
non-use and non-disclosure agreement in content similar to the provisions hereof, prior to any disclosure of Confidential Information to such
employees. Licensee acknowledges that the Software contains valuable confidential, unpublished information, including but not limited to
algorithms, innovations, and concepts developed by ARES at great expense.
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Chapter 23 ARES Project Management End User License Agreement
iii. attempt to or remove, disable, circumvent or render ineffective any code, feature, process or method of the Software
intended to secure, encrypt or otherwise prevent the Software from unauthorized access and use;
iv. remove or obscure ARES' copyright, trademark and other proprietary rights notices, legends, symbols or labels;
v. reverse engineer, alter, decompile, disassemble or otherwise attempt to derive the source code of the Software (except as
expressly permitted by applicable law);
vi. except as permitted under Section 1.2, modify the Software or documentation, including without limitation customization,
translation or localization;
vii. utilize the Software in connection with any service bureau or time-sharing system or to provide processing services for any
third party;
viii. allow any other person to access and use this Software via a LAN, WAN or other networked computer except as expressly
authorized by this Agreement;
ix. use the Software for the development of or in connection with a software application or service that has the same or
substantially similar features and/or function to the Software;
x. use the Software for any unlawful purpose;
xi. except as permitted by law or a signed written agreement of ARES, separate, remove or use all or a substantial part of the
data contained in the Software in connection with any other software or for any use other than in support of the Software; or
xii. publish any results of benchmark tests run on the Software to a third party without ARES’ prior written consent.
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4.2 Limited Permission for Back-Up Copy. Licensee may make one backup copy of the Software for the sole purpose of security backup
in the event the original Software is destroyed or becomes corrupt. Licensee may request a replacement copy of the Software or a license key
in the event the original and backup copy of the Software or license key are destroyed or become corrupt. All requests are subject to
validation and the approval of ARES. There is no additional fee for a replacement. Shipping and handling charges may apply. All replacement
copies are subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement as were applicable to the original copy replaced. All original and backup
copies of Software or license keys for which a replacement is issued will be considered unauthorized for continued use for any purpose and
subject to the return and destruction provisions of Section 13.
5. Ownership
Licensee acknowledges that this Agreement confers only a limited right to use the Software as expressly set forth in this Agreement. Licensee
does not become the owner of the Software. Title, ownership rights and all intellectual property rights in and to the Software and all copies
thereof are the sole property of ARES (and its licensors, if any). The Software and all copies thereof are protected under United States
Copyright Law, International Treaty, trade secret, trademark, patent, copyright and other applicable laws. Licensee represents and warrants
that it will not to use the Software or other intellectual property contained therein except as expressly permitted by this Agreement, nor to
disclose the Software to third parties, or to take any action to otherwise jeopardize, limit, or interfere in any manner with ARES’ ownership of
or rights with respect to the Software and intellectual property pertaining thereto.
7. Support
Neither this Agreement nor this license entitles Licensee to receive from ARES hard-copy documentation, technical support, telephone
assistance, or enhancements or updates to the Software without the purchase of applicable services. Licensee must purchase a first year
annual maintenance subscription with the purchase of a perpetual Software license. Terms and conditions of the maintenance subscription
are described in Exhibit A.
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12. Indemnity
Licensee agrees to indemnify and hold harmless ARES, its officers, directors, employees, representatives, successors and assigns from and
against any claims, actions, demands, liabilities, settlements, damages and expenses, including but not limited to reasonable attorney fees and
costs, arising from or related to Licensee’s use of the Software, Customized Products or breach of this Agreement.
14. Audit
Licensee grants ARES and its designee the right to examine Licensee’s records to verify compliance with this Agreement. In the event such
audit discloses non-compliance with this Agreement, Licensee shall promptly pay to ARES the appropriate license fees, plus reasonable costs
for conducting the audit.
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20. Notices
All notices required by this Agreement may be transmitted by email, facsimile, delivered by a major express mail delivery courier service, or
mailed by first class mail, registered or certified U.S. mail, postage pre-paid, return receipt requested, to the address indicated by the Party on
the signature page hereof, or at such other address as a Party may designate in a written notice sent pursuant to this provision. Notices that
are sent by: email will be considered received when the sender receives a return email acknowledging receipt from the recipient, facsimile
shall be deemed received when sent (as confirmed by a transmission log), by courier on the date received, and by U.S. mail five (5) days after
deposit in the U.S. mail.
21. Miscellaneous
21.1 Governing Law; Forum and Venue. The laws of the State of California (without reference to conflict of laws principles) and federal
law, as applicable, govern the validity, performance, construction and effect of the terms and conditions of this Agreement. This Agreement is
not governed by the United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods, the application of which is hereby expressly
excluded. Any and all litigation involving both Parties’ rights and duties under this Agreement must be brought in a state court of competent
jurisdiction in the State of California, San Mateo County or a federal court located in the Northern District of California.
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Chapter 23 ARES Project Management End User License Agreement
21.2 Severability. In the event that any one or more of the provisions contained in this Agreement shall for any reason be held to be
invalid, illegal, or unenforceable in any respect, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability will not affect any other provisions of this
Agreement. This Agreement will be construed as if such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions had never been contained in it, unless the
deletion of such provision would result in such material change so as to cause completion of the transaction contemplated herein to be
unreasonable.
21.3 Assignment. The Licensee may not assign or transfer, directly or by operation of law, this Agreement without ARES’ prior written
consent. Any unauthorized assignment is considered a material breach, and is void and unenforceable. ARES may freely assign this Agreement.
These conditions and the entire Agreement are binding on the permitted successors and assigns of the Parties.
21.4 Entire Agreement. This Agreement and related ARES purchase order(s) set forth the entire understanding of the parties regarding the
subject matter set forth herein and supersedes all prior understandings, whether written or oral, and agreements pertaining thereto. No ARES
reseller terms or purchase orders or Licensee purchase orders shall be incorporated into this Agreement or govern Licensee’s use of the
Software. No change, modification, alteration or addition of terms and conditions of this Agreement is binding unless in writing and signed by
an authorized representative of each Party.
21.5 Amendment. This Agreement is subject to amendment at any time upon the mutual assent of the Parties. Any such amendment
must be in writing, must identify the provisions of this Agreement that are to be amended, and must be signed by authorized signatories of
the Parties.
21.6 Non-Wavier. Either Party’s failure to enforce any provision of this Agreement shall not waive that Party's rights.
21.7 Construction. The relationship between ARES and Licensee is that of independent contractors and neither Licensee nor its agents
have any authority to bind ARES in any way.
21.8 Headings. The headings to the sections of this Agreement are used for convenience only and shall have no substantive meaning.
21.9 Disputes. The Parties shall attempt in good faith to resolve any dispute arising out of or relating to this Agreement promptly by
negotiation between executives who have authority to settle the controversy and who are at a higher level of management than the persons
with direct responsibility for administration of this Agreement. Any dispute, claim or controversy arising out of or relating to this Agreement
or the breach, termination, enforcement, interpretation or validity thereof, including the determination of the scope or applicability of this
agreement to arbitrate, will be determined by arbitration in State of California, San Mateo County before one arbitrator. The arbitration will
be administered by JAMS pursuant to its Comprehensive Arbitration Rules and Procedures and in accordance with the Expedited Procedures
in those Rules. Judgment on the Award may be entered in any court having jurisdiction. This clause does not preclude Parties from seeking
provisional remedies in aid of arbitration from a court of appropriate jurisdiction. All negotiations pursuant to this clause are confidential and
must be treated as compromise and settlement negotiations for purposes of applicable rules of evidence.
21.10 Equitable Remedies. Notwithstanding the provision for arbitration of disputes, nothing in this Agreement will preclude a Party from
seeking equitable relief from a court of appropriate jurisdiction, including but not limited to injunctive relief or specific performance, in
addition to all such other equitable remedies as may be available. In any action or proceeding (including arbitration) to enforce rights under
this Agreement, the prevailing Party is entitled to recover costs and reasonable attorneys’ fees.
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By : ______________________________ By : ______________________________
By : ______________________________ By : ______________________________
Exhibit A
ARES Project Management LLC
Software Maintenance and Support Agreement
(PRISM Software Products)
Subject to (i) a valid and existing PRISM End User License Agreement by and between you (the "Licensee") and ARES Project Management LLC
("ARES") and (ii) the purchase of a PRISM software maintenance subscription, this Software Maintenance and Support Agreement
("Maintenance and Support Agreement") governs the terms and conditions of the maintenance and support services ("Maintenance and
Support Services") provided by ARES to Licensee in connection with the PRISM software products licensed to Licensee under the End User
License Agreement ("Licensed Software"). ARES and Licensee hereafter may be referred to individually a "Party" and collectively "Parties."
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1.2 Enhancements. ARES may, from time to time, issue Enhancements to the Software. Such Enhancements are provided at no charge to
customers who are under a current Maintenance and Support Agreement and may include new version releases, updates, and patches of the
Software, containing error corrections and/or updates. A Product Release is a completely new product offering. Product Releases are not
included as a no charge update with a Maintenance and Support Agreement.
ARES will provide Licensee’s technical contact with one (1) copy of each Enhancement for each copy of the Software being maintained under
this Maintenance and Support Agreement with instructions on installation and descriptions of the significant changes to the Licensed
Software. ARES will issue the Enhancement to Licensee via FTP, email or via the United States Postal Service if firewalls or Licensee’s corporate
policies prohibit the receipt of executable files via email or FTP sites.
ARES will provide reasonable assistance to help Licensee’s technical contact install and operate each Enhancement. Licensee may, in its sole
discretion, choose not to install the minor fixes and patches; however, Licensee must install the major Enhancements within three (3) months
after receipt of the update. ARES will issue Licensee new Enhancements to Licensee’s technical contact with instructions on installation and a
description of the significant changes to the Licensed Software.
ARES is not obligated to make Enhancements to the Licensed Software in any particular respect or on any particular date and the decision to
do so is in ARES’ sole discretion.
1.3 Technical Support. ARES will provide Licensee with technical support in the form of telephone and/or online assistance for the
purposes of answering questions relating to the Licensed Software, including but not limited to (a) clarification of functions and features of
the Licensed Software; (b) clarification of the Documentation; (c) guidance in the operation of the Licensed Software; and (d) error
verification, analysis, and correction, including the failure to produce results in accordance with the Documentation. All technical support
requests must be made in accordance with the table set forth below.
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8:00 am to 5:00 pm
G2
PRISM Telephone (925)322-8899 PST, M-F excluding Appropriate for all incidents.
U.S. holidays.
PRISM Project
8:00 am to 4:00 pm Appropriate for all incidents. Incidents
Manager / PRISM
(925)322-8899 PST, M-F excluding must be submitted by the customer
Project Estimator
U.S. holidays. technical contact.
Telephone
1.4 Limitations. ARES shall be under no obligation to provide Maintenance and Support Services that include the diagnosis and
rectification of any fault arising from:
(a) Support of Licensee’s (i) hardware, (ii) operating systems, (iii) network setup, (iv) network maintenance and (v) setup and use of
any file access control systems;
(b) Defects caused by anything other than the program, that is, the Licensee’s hardware, operating system, modem, etc.
(c) The improper use, operation or neglect of the Licensed Software;
(d) Remedial action resulting from an error in the Licensee’s installation or resulting from the Licensee not having complied with
ARES’ documentation material, manuals or other written or oral instructions and directions;
(e) The modification of the Licensed Software or its merger (in whole or in part) with any other software;
(f) The failure by the Licensee to implement recommendations in respect of the solutions and faults previously advised by ARES;
(g) Any repair, adjustment, alteration or modification of the Licensed Software by any person other than ARES without ARES’ prior
written consent; or
(h) The use of the Software for a purpose for which it was not designed.
1.5 Charges for Excluded Support. ARES may on the request of the Licensee provide support notwithstanding that the fault results from
any circumstances described in Section 1.4 above or that the support requested is not covered by the terms of this Maintenance and Support
Agreement. ARES shall in such circumstances be entitled to charge for such service at ARES’ rates from time to time for work undertaken on a
time and materials basis or fixed quote at the discretion of ARES.
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Chapter 23 ARES Project Management End User License Agreement
4.0 Termination
Licensee may elect to discontinue Maintenance and Support Services for some or all of the Licensed Software by providing written notice to
ARES no less than sixty (60) days prior to expiration of the Initial Term or any subsequent Renewal Period for the Licensed Software.
Licensee must identify the name and serial number of the Licensed Software product(s) for which Maintenance and Support Services are to be
terminated. ARES may terminate Maintenance and Support Services for Licensee’s material breach of this Maintenance and Support
Agreement and/or the End User License Agreement upon thirty (30) days’ prior written notice to Licensee where the breach remains uncured,
if curable, during the notice period. ARES may automatically suspend and/or terminate any or all Maintenance and Support Services for
Licensee’s failure to pay the corresponding maintenance subscription fee for any Renewal Period, without notice to Licensee.
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7.0 Ownership
Licensee acknowledges and agrees that ARES and its licensors (as applicable) are and will remain the sole owner of all rights, title and interest
in and to the Licensed Software, including all derivatives thereof and all releases, updates, fixes and patches, as well as all intellectual property
rights related or pertaining thereto, including without limitation, all copyrights and inventions (whether or not patentable), even if Licensee
should provide data, suggestions, ideas, concepts, inventions, works of authorship, improvements or other intellectual property as a result of
its use of the Licensed Software (collectively, "Intellectual Property Rights"). Accordingly, Licensee hereby agrees and assigns all rights, title
and interest in and to the Licensed Software and Intellectual Property Rights that Licensee may acquire as a result of the access and use of the
Licensed Software. Licensee further warrants that Licensee shall not make any claim for, and does hereby expressly waive and release any
right to, an accounting, compensation or other consideration of any kind arising from or related to any participation by Licensee in the use,
modification or improvement of the Licensed Software.
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10.0 Indemnity
Licensee agrees to indemnify and hold harmless ARES, its officers, directors, employees, representatives, successors and assigns from and
against any claims, actions, demands, liabilities, settlements, damages and expenses, including but not limited to reasonable attorney fees and
costs, arising from or related to Licensee’s use of the Licensed Software, Customized Products or breach of this Maintenance and Support
Agreement.
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11.7 Order of Precedence. In the event of a conflict between or among the terms of this Maintenance and Support Agreement and any
other agreements, this Agreement shall govern with respect to the Maintenance and Support Services.
11.8 Severability. If a court of competent jurisdiction finds any provision of this Maintenance and Support Agreement invalid or
unenforceable, that provision of the Maintenance and Support Agreement will be amended or severed, to achieve as nearly as possible the
original intent of the Parties, and the remainder of this Maintenance and Support Agreement will remain in full force and effect.
11.9 Relationship of Parties. The Parties to this Maintenance and Support Agreement are independent contractors. No agency,
partnership, joint venture, employment or franchise relationship is intended or created by this Agreement. Neither Party nor its employees
has the authority to bind or commit the other Party in any way or to incur any obligation on the other Party’s behalf.
11.10 No Third Party Beneficiaries. Unless otherwise expressly provided, no provisions of this Maintenance and Support Agreement are
intended or shall be construed to confer upon or give to any person or entity other than ARES and Reseller any rights, remedies or other
benefits under or by reason of this Agreement.
11.11 Assignment. The Licensee may not assign or transfer, directly or by operation of law, this Maintenance and Support Agreement
without ARES’ prior written consent. This Maintenance and Support Agreement may be amended only by a writing signed by both parties.
Any unauthorized assignment is considered a material breach, and is void and unenforceable. These conditions and the entire Maintenance
and Support Agreement are binding on the permitted successors and assigns of the Parties.
11.12 Force Majeure. Neither Party shall be liable hereunder by reason of any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations on
account of strikes, riots, fires, flood, storm, explosion, acts of God, war, governmental action, labor conditions, earthquakes, or any other
cause which is beyond the reasonable control of such Party.
11.13 Counterparts. This Maintenance and Support Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which will be deemed an
original, but all of which together will constitute one and the same instrument.
11.14 Manifestation of Assent to Agreement. Licensee’s manifestation of assent to this Maintenance and Support Agreement will be
indicated by one or more of the following acts or actions: (i) original or facsimile signature of a duly authorized officer of Licensee on this
document or a subscription purchase order form incorporating this Maintenance and Support Agreement by reference; (ii) electronic
signature of a duly authorized officer of Licensee to an electronic record incorporating this Maintenance and Support Agreement by reference;
and/or (iii) Licensee’s direct or indirect submission of a printed or electronic maintenance subscription order with payment of the
Maintenance and Support Agreement subscription purchase price.
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Glossary
Accruals
Accruals are defined as the difference between the estimated cost of the work performed and the actual cost of the work reported by the
accounting system. Especially with procurements and contracts, procured items are delivered or contracted work is performed prior to an
invoice being sent for the work completed. Many times the invoiced costs do not enter the accounting system for one, two, or even up to
three months after the work is performed. Accruals allow you to estimate the cost of the work in order for Earned Value calculations to be as
accurate as possible.
Actual Cost
The costs actually incurred and applied or distributed in accomplishing the work performed within a given time period. The actual costs
include direct and indirect costs as well as accruals.
Approved Budget
The baseline budget plus approved scope changes. This is the standard against which performance is measured.
Approved Schedule
A project schedule or plan that can be compared to the current schedule to measure progress. The approved schedule is the original baseline
schedule plus any approved schedule changes.
Archive
G2
Archiving is the means for creating a copy or backup of the Administration data, Enterprise data, or the data from any PRISM project.
Baseline
The budgeted hours, quantities and costs for each Control Account. This is the standard against which performance is measured.
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Baseline Budget
A project's beginning budget of hours, cost, and quantities.
Baseline Estimate
The estimate that forms the basis of the Baseline Budget in the Cost Management package.
Commitments
Purchase orders or contracts that have been issued to vendors or contractors that obligate the project for payment of the services or goods
provided.
Control Account
A management control point where the technical scope, cost, and schedule are integrated. A control account is a natural control point for
planning and control because it represents the work assigned to one organizational element for one Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)
element. It is where hours, costs, and quantities are planned, progress is statused, actual costs are accumulated, and performance measured.
Cost Element
A subset of the total cost of an Estimate Item or a Control Account. Examples include Labor, Materials, Equipment, and Subcontracts.
Data Date
The date at which, or up to which, the projects reporting system has provided actual status and accomplishments.
850
Data Frame
The area below the Ribbon where most data entry and data management occurs.
Data Pane
A panel within the window frame that displays one record from a table in a form format.
Distribution Curves
A method for spreading total cost, hours, or quantities across a range of reporting periods. Distributions are based on a system-defined or
user-defined algorithm.
Early Budget
The time phased budget based on the early schedule dates.
Earned Value
The value of work accomplished. It is an objective measure of work accomplished based on the budgeted value of the work and is calculated
as Approved Budgeted X Percent Complete.
Enterprise
An organization created as a business venture to execute and manage multiple projects.
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Filter
A method for reducing a list of records to a subset of those records by applying specific filter conditions.
Forecast
An estimate of the remaining effort required to complete a project scope of work as defined by the Control Account. The forecast includes
estimates for remaining duration, remaining work hours required as well as remaining cost to complete.
Funding
The amount of money available from a particular source for a particular time period to fund or pay for work to be performed. Typically
funding is set by fiscal or calendar year for a multi-year project and should not be confused with Project Budget.
Group Code
G2
Codes developed in PRISM that collectively represent a project structure.
Late Budget
The time phased budget based on the late dates.
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Late Schedule Dates
The latest dates an Activity can start and finish based on the critical-path-method (CPM) schedule calculation.
Masks
A process used to identify the positions of a Master Record's ID that will be used to populate a Group ID.
Master Record
Records of high importance which are frequently accessed. Group IDs are assigned to Master Records to provide a way to categorize data in
reports. Master Records are found in Master Tables.
Multiple Currencies
A term used when a project has cost data tracked using more than one currency. For example, a project may require the cost of some records
to be entered in US Dollars and others in Canadian Dollars.
Performance
A measure of the accomplishment of work relative to the Approved Budget. Performance is measured by comparing Earned Value to the
Actual Costs and to the Approved Budget.
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Period
G2
A pre-defined increment of time for planning and progress measurement. Typical period durations that may be selected in PRISM are 1
week, 2 weeks, 4 weeks, 1 month, etc.
Progress
The amount of work that has been accomplished expressed as a percent. Progress may be reported in terms of physical completion by
measuring installed quantities relative to total quantity, in terms of hours of work expended relative to total hours of work, or in terms of
actual cost relative to total cost. Progress may be reported as expenditures relative to either budget or estimate at completion quantities or
costs.
Reporting Periods
User-defined increments of time for reporting project status.
Ribbon
The Ribbon is a menu system designed to help you quickly find the Commands that you need to complete a task. Each Ribbon menu is
accessed by selecting a Ribbon Tab. Ribbon Groups are used to logically organize commands together.
Schedule Activity
A single task that makes up one part of a project.
Scope Change
Changes to the approved budget or schedule. Usually these changes denote changes to the project scope, hence the name.
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Snapshot
A copy of any project’s data in its complete state at a given time.
Subpane
A panel within the Data pane that displays a table of records in a grid or form format.
User-defined Amounts
The typical columns of data associated with Control Accounts include the Baseline, Approved, and Control Budget, the Estimate at Completion
and Estimate to Complete, and the Commitments and Actuals. There may be additional data that needs to be tracked which does not fit in
these system-defined columns. The User-Defined Amounts feature provides the ability to add and track additional columns of data.
Variance
The degree of difference or change between values. Variances can be based on performance, evaluating the Earned Value to Actuals Cost
which is called the Cost Variance, or Earned Value to Budgeted Costs, which is called the Schedule Variance. Variance is measured using
period, cumulative-to-date, or at-completion costs.
Variance Analysis
G2
At the end of each Reporting Period, PRISM allows you to calculate and report on variances that exceed user-defined variance thresholds.
Each significant variance can provide an explanation to help management and project stakeholders understand the root cause of the variance,
the impacts to the project, and determine how the variance will be mitigated.
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Variance Threshold
A minimum value and / or percentage that a variance must exceed in order to be considered significant enough to address.
Weighting
G2
The relative importance of an item in relation to other items. In PRISM weighting is used with schedule Activities and progress tasks.
Activities are weighted in terms of hours, cost, or duration; whereas Progress Tasks use a user-defined weighting. Weighting is used to provide
a composite percent complete on Control Accounts based on the weighting options chosen.
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858
Index
Control Account-Quantity Elements Subpane • 323 Cost Management Reports • 54, 55, 62, 63, 74, 85, 88, 90, 93, 738
Control Accounts • 43, 53, 318, 323, 327, 330, 332, 333, 336, 338, 339, Cost Management Settings • 56, 58, 91, 93, 321, 323, 325, 326, 328, 329,
340, 341, 345, 394, 623, 656 344, 345, 364, 397, 399, 400, 403, 407, 410, 414, 526, 701, 736, 742,
Control Accounts Breakdown (Budget/EAC Changes) • 73, 361 743
Control Accounts Breakdown (Trends) • 378 Cost Plus • 354
Control Accounts-Actuals History Subpane • 336 Cost Rate • 275
Control Accounts-Amount Transactions Subpane • 340 Cost Rates (Progress Accounts) • 572
Control Accounts-Budget Details • 338 Cost Variance (CV) • 49
Control Accounts-Budget Plan Subpane • 355 Cost Weighting • 659, 667
Control Accounts-Change Breakdown Subpane • 336 Create Account Cross-ref • 59, 389, 713
Control Accounts-ETC Plan Subpane • 355 Create Activity Cross-references • 713
Control Accounts-Period Actuals Subpane • 330 Create Control Account Cross-references • 713
Control Accounts-Schedule Activity Cross-reference • 338 Create Control Accounts Option • 659, 667
Control Accounts-Schedule Activity data pane • 338 Creating Projects • 38, 56
Control Accounts-Time Phased Cost • 327 Cross-reference • 338, 713
Control Accounts-Time Phased Data subpanes • 327 Crystal Reports Runtime • 792
Control Accounts-Time Phased Hours • 327 Currancies • 269
Control Accounts-Time Phased Quantity • 327 Currencies • 28, 55, 58, 111, 120, 269, 479, 480, 487, 505, 512, 527, 533,
Control Elements • 53, 56, 57, 95, 99, 111, 119, 386, 400, 411, 419, 420, 601, 736, 778
600, 624, 631, 742, 743 Currency • 318
Control Elements (Control Accounts) • 53, 54, 60, 91, 93, 323, 399 Currency IDs • 712
Conversion • 817 Current Schedule Dates • 338
Converting PPM Project to PRISMG2 • 817 Customization Services • 829
Copy Amounts • 91, 92, 703 Customizing the Workspace • 163
Copy Contract Items • 721
Copy Purchase Order Items • 720 D
Copy Record (Advanced Change Management) • 376
Copy Requisition Items • 719 Data • 701
Copy Risks to Changes • 359, 381, 382, 707 Data (Administration) • 221
Copy Schedule Dates • 73, 365, 436, 463, 469, 561, 695 Data (Contracts) • 503
Cost • 268, 390, 393 Data (Engineering) • 423
Cost (Cost Management) • 318 Data (Enterprise) • 255
Cost (Define) • 622 Data (Equipment/Materials) • 461
Cost (Enterprise) • 281 Data (Field Management) • 557
Cost (Import/Export) • 646 Data (Invoice Management) • 545
Cost (Utilities) • 703 Data (Prime Contracts) • 525
Cost Element • 850 Data (Procurement) • 477
Cost Element (Budget Details) • 386 Data Curves • 271
Cost Elements • 43, 268 Data Date • 850
Cost Management • 317, 318, 353, 358, 384, 387, 394, 414 Data Frame • 151, 169, 851
Cost Management Data Integration • 317 Data Integration • 8, 317
Cost Management Processes • 56 Data Option • 731
860
Index
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User Guide
862
Index
863
User Guide
866
Index
R Monitoring Reports • 61
Performance Reports • 738
Rates and Multipliers • 85, 305, 405, 406, 407, 528, 539, 540 Progress Reports • 738
Rates By Enterprise Period (Employees) • 262, 277, 608 Project Reports • 731
Rates By Enterprise/Reporting Period (Categories) • 86, 276, 305, 357, Time Phased Reports • 738
393, 608 Reports Library • 246
Rebaseline • 206, 207, 399, 404, 698 Reports Menu • 731
Reconcile Actual Data • 696 Request for Proposal Generation • 121
Reconcile Actual Data (Field Management) • 697, 726 Request for Quotation Generation • 112
Records • 175 Reset All Panes • 142, 151, 163
Reference Tables Only • 691 Reset Pane Configuration • 152, 164
References (Installed Equipment) • 466 Resize Panes • 165
References (Materials) • 469 Resource Assignments (Schedule Activities) • 59, 60, 88, 90, 276, 287,
Refresh All Data • 142, 195 319, 320, 354, 390, 607, 628
Refresh Data • 152, 179 Resource Data Option • 659, 667
Relationship between Enterprise and Project Definitions • 29 Resource-Activity Assignments Subpanes • 393
Remote Access Workflow • 796 Resource-Approved Activities Subpane • 393
Remove Project • 142, 201 Resource-Baseline Activities Subpane • 393
Replace • 693 Resource-Control Activities Subpane • 393
Replace IDs • 645, 650, 653, 683, 688, 691 Resource-Current Activities Subpane • 393
Replace IDs Using an Import File • 691 Resources • 275, 276, 392, 404, 607, 608
Replace If Empty • 693 Responsibility Assignment Matrix (RAM) • 41
Report Panes • 731 Restore • 142, 215
Report Specifications • 731 Restore a PRISM Project Manager Project in PRISMG2 • 817
Report Subtitle • 731 Review and Approval • 74, 76, 369, 370
Report Title • 731 Review and Fix Actuals Data Discrepancies • 696
Report Writer • 770, 784 Revision History (Advanced Change Management) • 375
Reporting Periods • 27, 28, 53, 56, 61, 86, 89, 93, 94, 98, 110, 118, 126, Revisions (Purchase Requisitions) • 474
264, 277, 288, 290, 319, 593, 609, 628, 631, 854 Revisions and Data Maintenance • 46
Reports • 731 RFP • 121
Actuals Reports • 738 RFQ • 112
Analysis Reports • 61 Ribbon • 148, 854
Budget Details Reports • 93 Risk Controls • 381
Budget Reports • 738 Risks • 73, 381, 382
Change Management Reports • 738 Risks-Items Subpane • 382
Commitments Reports • 738 Roles • 23, 223, 232
Control Account Reports • 738 Rules of Credit • 127, 301, 640
Cost Management Reports • 738 Rules of Credit (Progress Accounts) • 569
Enterprise Batch Reports • 763 Rules of Credit (Progress Items) • 578
Enterprise Reports • 731
Graphics Reports • 738
867
User Guide
868
Index
869