Forecasting

On the Forecasting tab, you can substitute alternative values to estimate the effect of cost changes to the overall project budget.

To calculate a forecasted cost

1. In the Budget form, click the Forecasting tab.
2. In the Forecast Cost box, type the value that you want to use as the forecasted cost.

The Forecast Under/Over is calculated by subtracting the Projected Budget from the Forecast Cost.

3. In the Forecast Start Date box, enter the date on which the forecast item starts.
4. In the Forecast Finish Date box, enter the date on which the forecast item ends.
5. From the Forecast Allocation Type list, select the method for how the Value Remaining will be distributed across the applicable months.
• Back Load: Automatically distribute the Value Remaining across the monthly forecast columns that fall within the forecast items start and end dates. When this mode is selected, the remaining value is spread across the monthly forecast columns using a back load model that starts low and then peaks at the end.
• Bell Curve: Automatically distribute the Value Remaining across the monthly forecast columns that fall within the forecast items start and end dates. When this mode is selected, the remaining value is spread across the monthly forecast columns using a bell curve model that starts low, peaks at the mid-point, and ends low.
• Front Load: Automatically distribute the Value Remaining across the monthly forecast columns that fall within the forecast items start and end dates. Select this option to spread the remaining value across the monthly forecast columns using a front load model that peaks at the beginning and then ends low.
• Linear: Automatically distribute the Value Remaining across the monthly forecast columns that fall within the forecast items start and end dates. Select this option to spread the remaining value evenly across the monthly forecast columns.
• Plug: Directly edit the monthly forecast columns. When this allocation type is selected, all the monthly forecast columns that fall within the forecast item’s start and end dates can be edited.
6. To save the changes and keep the form open, click > Save.

—Or—

To save the changes and close the form, click > Save and Exit.