Managing Tasks › Estimates (ETC) at the Task Level › Task Estimating Rules › Create Task Estimating Rules

Create Task Estimating Rules

To create a new task estimating rule

1. Open the task for which you want to create an estimating rule.

   The Task Properties page for that task appears.

2. Click the Estimating tab.

   The Task Estimating Properties page appears.

3. In the Task Estimating Rules section, click New.

   The Step 1 of 2: Create Estimating Rule page appears.

4. Select one of the following from the Value field:
   • Estimate for Another Task. Select this value to allow to choose the estimates from another task on this project. Click Browse to search for the task.

     Note: The task must have a defined ID for it to appear in the Select Task browse window.

   • Constant. Select this field and enter a number (integer or decimal) that serves as a fixed value for the estimating rule.
   • Project Attribute. Select this field to choose from the list of numeric project attributes. You can use any numeric attribute in the estimating rule.
5. Click Add.

   The Operator field is editable.

6. Select the operator you want to use in the formula. You can choose addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, exponential, or modulus as valid operands.
7. Click Add.

   The expression is evaluated and, if successful, the new rule appears in the Estimating Rule field. If the expression does not evaluate successfully, an error message displays in the field.

   Note: You can bypass the Operator and Value fields and type or paste a formula directly into the Estimated Rule field. Then click Evaluate to evaluate the expression.

8. After a successful evaluation, do one of the following:
   • Click Finish if this rule is the default rule for the task or phase.

     The Task Estimating Properties page appears. The rule appears in the Task Estimating Rules section of the page.

   • Click Next if this rule is not the default rule.

     The Step 2 of 2: Create Execute Condition page appears. Use this page to define the conditions that determine when the rule is to run. An executing condition is not required for the default rule.

9. Select an Object. Choices are "Project" or "Task".
10. The field that appears or becomes available next depends upon the type of object you chose.
    • If you choose "Project": select the Field or Operation field.
    • If you choose "Task": select the Field field.
11. Select an Operator.
12. In the Right section, choose a Constant or an Object.
13. Click Add to evaluate the expression.

    If successful, the new rule displays in the Estimating Rule field. If the expression does not evaluate successfully, an error message displays in the field.

    Note: You can bypass the Operator and Value fields and type or paste a formula directly into the Estimated Rule field. Then click Evaluate to evaluate the expression.

14. Click Finish to complete the creation process.

    The Task Estimating Properties page appears and the new execution condition is displayed along with the task estimating rule.