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Managing PM Cost Projections

PM Cost Projections enters cost projections for a job/project in a batch (one project per batch). The system can calculate values, you can plug your own, or both. Flow: create batch → enter projections → review and post → view posted history.

Before you start​

  • Projection codes are set up on the job (PM Projection Codes).
  • Project is interfaced to Job Cost (only interfaced projects appear).
  • Configure File → Projection Options (opens on form open if that option is checked). Projection Method = Actual Cost or Actual + Committed Cost (drives Editor columns and buyout math).
  • Plug columns (Percent Complete, Over/Under, Remaining) appear only if enabled on PM Company Parameters → Projections → Columns for Entry.
  • Projection Detail tab / Initialize Worksheet Detail only if Activate Projection Detail Feature is on (help cites PM or JC Company Parameters → Projections inconsistently — check both if the tab is missing).

Steps​

1. Create the batch​

  1. Open PM Cost Projections.
  2. File → Projection Options and set options.
  3. Enter Projection Date (month the batch posts to; F4 lists existing batches; one user per batch) and Project.
  4. Choose how rows populate → Initialize. Optionally Initialize Worksheet Detail if detail is activated.
  5. Codes appear on the Grid; phases/cost types on the Phase/Cost Type tab. If rows are missing, check Options (e.g. Show Linked Cost Types) and assignment.
  6. Optional layouts via PM Projection Layouts.

Multi-open same month: allowed only if PM Company Parameters → Projections → Allow projects in multiple open projections in the same month is checked.

2. Enter projections​

  1. Filter/sort the Grid (e.g. by exposure).
  2. Plug Percent Complete, Over/Under, Projected Final, or Remaining (hours, units, cost, unit cost, production) on the Grid, Phase/Cost Type tab, or Cost Projection Editor (double-click). Changes sync across views immediately.
  3. Grid plug applies across all phases/cost types on that projection code. Spread follows PM Company Parameters → Projections → Spread Option (Prorated = weighted average of phase/CT % complete; Defined at projection code = Spread % on PM Projection Codes).
  4. Plugging a primary cost type updates linked types by the same percent.
  5. Check Buyout when commitments are complete (subs, POs, material orders) so finals calculate from the projection method. Checking it on a code checks associated phases/CTs and linked types. Blue row = plugged value ≠ calculated buyout. Yellow = phase/CT has a plug that highlights the code on the Grid.
  6. Optional Projection Detail on the Editor; Future Change Orders shows PCO/ACO items not yet interfaced to JC.

Refresh vs new codes: File → Refresh Data pulls costs posted to the batch month or prior months, but does not update Project Cost, add new projection codes, or add new phases/CTs. For new codes/assignments: create a new batch, or use Update Projections. Unassigned phase/CT label → Task → Assign Phase. Still missing after assign → Tasks → Clear Projections, fix PM Projection Codes, create a new batch.

3. Review and post​

  1. Review Grid totals.
  2. Submit Projection (close without it: Yes = submit; No = save for later).
  3. JC Batch Process / PM Batch Process opens → Validate → print/preview audit reports (attach to HQ Batch Control if JC Company Parameters → Info → Attach Batch Reports to HQ Batch Control is on).
  4. Confirm Posting Date → Post.

4. View posted projections​

PM Work Center → Items → PM Cost Projection History (only on standard work centers added after 6.8.x, or if inquiry PMCostProjectionHistory was added). Select Project → double-click a batch.

Pending change orders in projections​

  1. On PM Document Types, check Include in Cost Projections for PCO types that should appear.
  2. On PM Status IDs, set Projections Option to Display or Display & Calculate as needed.

Notes​

  • Clear an open batch: Tasks → Clear Projection(s) (help uses both singular and plural) — clears entries for that date/job and deletes the batch.
  • If phases/cost types are missing from the grid, see Why Phases or Cost Types Are Missing in Cost Projections (PM uses File → Cost Projection Options; checks align with JC).
  • Related: PM Cost Projection Options / Editor / Layouts, PM Projection Codes / Assign / Copy, PM/JC Batch Process, HQ Batch Control, PM Company Parameters, JC Company Parameters.