Managing Tasks › Estimates (ETC) at the Task Level › How to Modify ETC at the Task Level › Apply Top-Down Estimating Using the Estimating Rules Mode (Tasks)

Apply Top-Down Estimating Using the Estimating Rules Mode (Tasks)

You can apply top-down estimating to the tasks set up to receive the top down distribution using the estimating rules mode. Use this mode when you have a good idea of the number of hours it will take to complete all of the tasks in a grouping or project. At the parent-task level, the number is distributed through all of the parent's child tasks that have resource assignments.

You must first prepare the tasks to receive the top-down distribution. For example, suppose you know that Phase I will take 100 hours. Before you can enter the number and apply it, you must set up the phase's tasks to receive a percentage of those 100 hours. In this case, you might enter 60% for Task A and 40% for Task B. Once the tasks have been set up to receive a percentage, you can apply the ETC. The number is distributed accordingly.

The top-down method can be most effectively used when assignments have no existing estimates (i.e. the ETC field is set to 0).

To apply top-down estimating using the estimating rules mode

1. Open the task to which you want to apply top-down estimating.

   The Task Properties page appears.

2. Click the Estimating tab.

   The Task Estimating Properties page appears.

3. In the General section, enter the amount of ETC you want to distribute in the ETC field and click Preview.

   The Preview ETC Change page appears.

4. Click Apply.

   The ETC is distributed to the tasks set up to receive the top down distribution.

More information:

Apply Top-Down Estimating at the Project Level

Set Up Tasks for Top-Down Estimating