Spread Curves
Spread curves let you distribute quantity, cost, and revenue amounts automatically across accounting or project accounting periods.
You assign a spread curve to each resource class. Planning resources (in the planning resource breakdown structure) inherit the spread curve setting from the associated resource class. You can change the spread curve for the planning resource and for any corresponding task assignments, or budget or forecast lines.
You can create spread curves, use predefined spread curves, or edit them as required. This topic describes the following spread curve components:
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Spread curves
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Spread points
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Distribution factors
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Predefined spread curves
Spread Curves, Spread Points, and Distribution Factors
Spread curves other than Daily Spread Basis and Even contain 10 spread points. Specify distribution factors for any combination of the spread points.
When using a daily spread basis, the application allocates amounts to each period based on the ratio of the days in the period to the duration of the task assignment. Spread points are distributed proportionately across periods during financial or project planning. For example, if amounts are to be spread across four periods, the application allocates the combined value of 2.5 spread points to each period. The spread points for each period are the total number of spread points divided by the total number of periods (10 / 4).
Distribution factors are prorated according to the spread points allocated to each period. For example, if $100 is to be spread across four months for a planning resource that uses an even spread curve (where amounts are distributed evenly), the application assigns each period $25. The amount assigned to each period is the total amount multiplied by the spread points for the period (2.5 * 10).
Predefined Spread Curves
The following table lists the predefined spread curves:
|
Name |
Description |
Distribution Factors |
|---|---|---|
|
Even |
Linear distribution of financial or project plan values across periods. |
10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10 |
|
Prorated Even |
Linear distribution of financial or project plan values across periods, with an exception of the first period and last period in the financial plan. Financial or project plan values for the first period and last period are prorated based on the number of days in the period. |
10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10 |
|
Back Loaded |
Back-loaded distribution of financial or project plan values across periods. Assigned amounts increase over succeeding periods. |
0-5-10-15-20-25-30-35-40-45 |
|
Front Loaded |
Front-loaded distribution of financial or project plan values across periods. Assigned amounts decrease over succeeding periods. |
45-40-35-30-25-20-15-10-5-0 |
|
S Curve |
S-shaped distribution of financial or project plan values across periods. |
18-10-8-10-15-17-18-17-15-8 |
|
Bell Curve |
Bell-shaped distribution of financial or project plan values across periods. Assignment of plan values is highest in the middle periods. |
0-4-10-12-14-12-10-4-0-0 |
|
Daily Spread Basis |
Spread is based upon the number of days in each financial period throughout the duration of the task assignment. Amounts are proportionally distributed throughout all periods for the duration of the task assignment. |
None |
Spread Curve Distribution
As a project manager, with the Enhanced Spread Curve Distribution feature, you can now manage the different stages in your project timeline by extending resource assignment dates in the financial project plan without spreading the periodic amounts again. You can modify the resource assignment to end early, and select a period from which to spread the amounts that aren't allocated. Use the Edit Task Assignment Dates window of the Edit Period Amounts page to extend resource assignments dates.