Projects can be implemented using either a basic method to track costs and time for work that includes more than one work order or an advanced method to plan the tasks and time line for a complex project.
Depending on the scale of the project and the needs of your organization, one approach may be more appropriate than the other.
Regardless of which approach is implemented, the Projects function provides a way to manage a project from beginning to end.
Basic Projects
The basic approach is used when it is not necessary to identify all of the project tasks prior to performing the work. It involves defining the project from the Project window and creating work orders from the Work Order window. The work order is linked to the project at the time it is created.
Once you create a project record, you can create project work orders. When the WO Type field is set as Project and the Project Subtab shows the Project Num, the work order is linked to the Project. Without this information, the work order is not a project work order.
Additional project features can be used, but they are not required when using the basic approach to projects.
Advanced Projects
The advanced approach to projects is applied to projects that require long-range planning to chart the sequence of activities involved in the completion of the project. This approach includes using additional features of the WebTMA Projects module.
Advanced projects track the cost and budgeted amounts as well as purchase orders for the work.
You can set project tasks to define the activities that are performed at a later date. When it is time for the work to begin, create project work orders for the line items. If you prefer to automate creating project work orders, use Batch Management and the Add Project Task Generation feature. Resources such as labor, materials, and other charges required to fulfill each of the activities can be viewed as well.
Tracking Costs
Costs or expenses are tracked automatically within projects when you use either the basic or advanced method. The values from project work orders are displayed on the associated project record.
Labor, material, and other costs from project work orders display on the associated project record.