Accessing Models
Navigate to Project Modelling from the menu, in the Projects area of the tool:
You will see all currently active models, potentially created by various users that have access to the feature. Existing models can be edited from here, or click +New at the top to create a new model.
Creating Models
Fill in this form to define key parameters for the model you wish to create:
| Field | Comment |
| Name | Enter a title for the model. |
| Model Start | Define the time window of the model. This date range sets the boundaries for moving projects within the model. |
| Model Finish | |
| Include all cost | When calculating cost totals, include values from cost of all projects, not only the ones in this model. Associated costs shows as 'Other' when breaking down project cost. |
| Include all demand | When calculating resource demand totals, include values from demand of all projects, not only the ones in this model. Associated demand total show as 'Other' when breaking down Resource demand. |
| Cost Breakdown |
This setting determines how Investment figures for projects are broken down when viewing them in the model:
|
| Filter Start | Set this date range to pre-filter projects that can be selected for this model in the next screen (filter will be applied to their start date). For example, this lets you exclude any projects that have already started, by applying a future date to Filter Start |
| Filter Finish | |
| Investment Type | Determines which figures should be used by default to calculate investment totals, either Budget or Forecast. |
| Target Utilisation | % figure driving highlights to identify utilisation above and below this threshold. |
Click Save to create the model.
Attaching Projects
Once the model is created, click on the Projects tab.
Select Projects from the list on the left that should be included in the Model. Pick those projects that are potential candidates for 'what-if' simulations, i.e. you might move them, take them out, change their duration etc.
Apply filters to columns if you want to find projects relating to a specific Stage, Programme or Portfolio.
Please note that any projects not included will still contribute their cost and resource demand figures to bottom line totals if during model creation you said 'Yes' to Include all cost and Include all demand parameters, as explained above.
Click Save to complete the creation of the model. You are now ready to review it and apply simulations.
Please note that the save operation may take a while, while displaying a Create in progress message. This is because the model creation requires all relevant project data and resource capacity data to be copied to a modelling database.