Fixed cost fields

The Fixed Cost task field shows any nonresource task expense. The timephased version of this field shows values distributed over time.

There are several categories of Fixed Cost fields.

Data Type    Currency

Fixed Cost (task field)

Entry Type    Entered

Description    The Fixed Cost field shows any nonresource task expense.

Best Uses    Add the Fixed Cost field to a task view when you want to review, enter, or edit fixed costs for tasks (for example, courier charges or travel costs associated with a task).

Example    For the "Write proposal" task, there is a fixed cost of $30 for duplication of the finished proposal. You add the Fixed Cost field to the Task Sheet view, and then enter $30 for this task. This fixed cost is added and accrued with the resource costs to calculate the total cost for the task.

Remarks    The Fixed Cost field is available by default on the Cost table.

Fixed costs can be added at the beginning of the task or prorated over the duration of a task. Use the Fixed Cost Accrual field, which is available by default on the Cost table.

Fixed Cost (task-timephased field)

Entry Type    Calculated

How Calculated    When you enter a fixed cost for a task in a task sheet, Microsoft Office Project enters the fixed cost in the timephased portion of the Task Usage view according to the accrual method you selected. In other words, when you enter a fixed cost to be accrued at the start or end of a task, Project enters the full fixed cost value in the time period representing the start or end of the task. When you enter a fixed cost to be prorated, Project distributes the cost across the duration of the task.

Best Uses    Add the Fixed Cost field to the timephased portion of the Task Usage view to display fixed costs for tasks.

Example    For the "Conduct client meetings" task, which has a five-day duration, there is a fixed cost of $40 for travel expenses. You enter $40 in the Fixed Cost field for this task in the Cost table and specify that this cost is to be prorated in the Fixed Cost Accrual field. In the sheet portion of the Task Usage view, you add the Fixed Cost field. Project distributes the prorated $40 travel expense across the five-day duration so that $8 appears in each of the five days. If you had set the Fixed Cost Accrual field to Start or End, you would see the fixed cost either at the beginning or end of the time period in the Task Usage view.