Activities (tppss2100m000)

Use this session to view and maintain:

  • The activities of the activity-structure of any project plan.
  • The start date and finish date so you can attach the earned value method to the activity.
Note: 
  • If you click New, the following applies:

    • If you already selected an existing line, that activity becomes the parent of the new line. (Equivalent to using the Add Child option.
    • If you did not select a line, the new activity is a top activity, which becomes the parent of the previous top activity. (Equivalent to using the Insert Top Activity option).
  • If you use the Insert Top Activity option, the new activity becomes the parent of the previous top activity.
  • If you use the Add Child option, the parent of the new activity will be automatically set to the activity selected.
  • If you use the Indent option, the activity selected will become the child of the activity above.
  • If you use the Outdent option, the parent of the current parent will become the parent of the activities selected.
  • If you use progress invoicing the activities of type Work Package or Planning Package cannot be used.

You can use these options to create an activity relationship by defining the predecessor and successor activities. These options are enabled only if you select an activity.

  • Create Successor Activity Relationship: When you select this option, the Activity Relationship (tppss2110m000) session is started. To create a successor activity relationship, the predecessor activity is defaulted with the selected activity. You must specify the successor activity.
  • Create Predecessor Activity Relationship: When you select this option, the Activity Relationship (tppss2110m000) session is started. To create a predecessor activity relationship, the successor activity is defaulted with the selected activity. You must specify the predecessor activity

Field Information

Project

The code that uniquely identifies the project.

Status

The project status.

Plan

The code that uniquely identifies the plan.

Activity Position

The activity's position number.

Activity

The code that uniquely defines the activity.

Activity
General
Description

The description or name of the code.

Search Key

The search key.

Unit

The code that uniquely identifies the unit in which you specify the quantity of the activity.

Activity Type

The type of activity.

Allowed values

WBS Element

A type of activity usually used to break down the project scope into smaller pieces. You can define work for a work-break-down structure element. You can aggregate the costs from control accounts or work packages. You cannot book costs on this activity type.

Control Account

The only type of activity that can be linked to an organization breakdown structure. At this level functional responsibility for work and costs can be assigned. You can detail control accounts using work packages.

Planning Package

Planning packages are identified during planning to time phase major activities within a control account. You cannot have a bottom-up budget or book costs on this activity type.

Work Package

A type of activity. You can detail short-span jobs in work packages and use it for the execution of a project.

Milestone

An activity of zero duration that usually represents a significant event in the project. In many cases the completion of a phase or a major deliverable. Milestones can be used for the moment of invoicing and the calculation of earned value.

Note: 

LN uses activities of all types only if the All Activity Types checkbox in the Project Parameters (tppdm0100s000) session is selected, else, only the activities of the type Work Package are used.

Parent Activity

The activity that encompasses the child activity.

A tree activity structure is formed by linking an activity to a parent activity. If you select the parent, you must take the following conditions into account:

  • The parent of a WBS element is always a WBS element, unless it is from the top of the activity-structure.
  • The parent of a control account is always a WBS element, unless the control account is the top of the activity-structure.
  • The parent of a planning package is a control account or a planning package. If you do not use an organizational breakdown-structure, the parent of the planning package is either a WBS element, or a planning package that forms the top of the activity-structure.
  • The parent of the work package can be a work package, a planning package or a control account. If you do not use an organizational breakdown-structure, the work package can have a WBS element, a planning package or a work package as its parents. Alternatively, the work package can itself form the top of the activity-structure.
OBS Element

The organizational breakdown-structure element that you want to link with a control account.

This enables you to make an organizational unit or employee responsible for a subset of the overall project. This responsibility is expressed in the time-phased budget, in project scheduling, and in performance measurement.

Note: 

You can link an OBS element to the activity only if the Use Organization Breakdown Structure check box in the Projects (tppdm6100m000) session is selected.

You can view this field only if the All Activity Types check box is selected in the Project Parameters (tppdm0100s000) session.

Extension

The extension.

Critical Capacity Type

The critical capacity-type determines the cost type from which the percentage completed must be transferred. This value is transferred using the Generate Physical Progress in Planning (tpppc1250m000) session to the time-related progress.

Choose a critical capacity-type to specify the cost-type progress to be exchanged. This is necessary because the progress in the Project Progress module can be more detailed than the progress of the activity. The project control budget-type determines where this progress is taken from: either from the progress entered on elements or on activities.

Budget Status

The budget status of the activity. Only the Actual and Final status activities can be used for history and can be invoiced.

Text

If this check box is selected, a text is present.

Invoicing
Progress based Invoicing

You can decide whether and how you want the progress installments of the activity to be invoiced.

Progress for Invoice

If the activity will be invoiced, the invoice type: Direct or Indirect. Otherwise, Not Applicable.

Group Indirect Work

The number of a group of costs that is related to indirect work.

Note: This field is only available if the Progress based Invoicing field is set to Project Physical Progress. As a result, the Progress for Invoice field becomes Indirect.
Use Holdback

If this check box is selected, you can use holdback for this activity.

To be Settled

If this check box is selected, you can enter a settlement price.

If this check box is cleared, the cost of additional work (direct work) cannot be settled.

Note: This field is only available in a project with Invoice Type field set to Progress Invoice in the Contract Lines (tpctm1110m000) session.
Billable

If this check box is selected, the activity costs are billed to the customer.

Control
Physical Progress Level

The default level at which progress is recorded.

Cost Control

If this check box is selected, you can include this activity in your cost control (report).

Work Authorization Status

The work authorization status of the activity.

On Hold Date

The date after which the work execution on the activity must be suspended.

Note: The default value is the current date. The field is a display field.
Reason

The reason for holding the work execution of the activity.

Note: This field is only available if the Work Authorization Status field is set to On Hold.
Budgeting
Quantity

The quantity needed for this activity.

Time Unit

The code that uniquely identifies the time unit.

Production Rate

The rate per production unit.

Number of Time Units

The number of time units.

Physical Progress Quantity

This field is used for cost control purposes and progress recording.

If the invoice method is Unit Rate or Progress Invoice for the project, the progress quantity must be filled. This quantity can act as sales quantity for unit rate and progress invoicing by multiplying it with the sales price.

Note: 
  • For a Unit Rate method the actual quantity can differ from the estimated quantity.
  • For the Progress Invoice method the progress must be equal to the physical progress quantity to be able to invoice the work.

Asset
Asset

If this check box is selected, the activity is assigned to a capital project.

Note: 
  • If the Budget by field is set to Activity in the Project (tppdm6600m400) session, only activities can be capitalized.
  • If an activity is set to be capitalized, neither the child nor parent of the activity can be capitalized.

Asset Number

The asset number.

Note: Infor LN enables the asset number and extension fields only for projects for which the Fixed Assets check box is selected in the Project (tppdm6600m400) session. See: capital project.
Description

The description or name of the code.

Asset Extension

The asset extension number.

Pricing
Sales Price

The default sales price per unit.

Sales Price

The home currency.

Sales Price

The amount in the home currency.

Currency Rate/Rate Factor

The rate.

Rate Factor Sales Price

The rate factor.

Settlement Price

The home currency for the cost amount.

Settlement Price

The unit price of additional work which may be charged during the progress invoicing procedure. This price may differ from the sales price for the budgeted work. The settlement price is printed under the heading additional work on the report in the Print Progress Invoice Specifications (tppin1410m000) session.

You can enter a value in this field only if the To be Settled check box is selected.

Settlement Price

The home currency.

Settlement Price

The amount in the home currency.

Currency Rate/Rate Factor

The rate of the settlement price.

Rate Factor Settlement Price

The rate factor.

Planning
Tracking
Scheduled Date

Scheduled start date of the activity.

Scheduled Finish Date

Scheduled finish date of the activity.

Actual Start Date

Actual start date of the activity.

Note: 

The Actual Start Date of the activity is updated only if:

  • The Project Status is set to Active in the Project (tppdm6600m400) session.
  • The Activity Type is set to other than Milestone in the Activities (tppss2100m000) session.
  • The Work Authorization Status of the activity is set to Released in the Activities (tppss2100m000) session.
  • The Activity does not have a child activity other than Milestone.
Actual Date

Actual finish date of the activity.

Schedule Percentage Complete

This is the scheduled progress for the activity, and must not be confused with the actual physical progress.

If you work with a external scheduling package, the planning package can fill this field with the scheduled progress. You can copy this progress to the physical progress with the Generate Physical Progress from Planning (tpppc1240m000) session.

Scheduled Start Date is Changed

If this check box is selected, you changed the scheduled start date of the activity. To recalculate the requirement date for your control data you must run the Generate Planned PRP Orders (tppss6200m000) session.

If you made any other changes in this session, you must also run Generate Control Data (tpptc1230m000).

Note: After you have run the Generate Control Data (tpptc1230m000), this check box is cleared.
Planning
Planning Method

The planning method is used to calculate the earliest and latest start and finish dates for the project. The value specified in this field displays the method from the Project (tppdm6600m400) session.

Allowed values

Forward

For a production order, the planning of the production order is based on a fixed start date. A delivery date is calculated from the order run time.

For a project, the network planning for the project is executed on the basis of a fixed start date. When you start the planning in the Generate Network Planning (tppss2240m000) session, LN determines the project's delivery date with a Forward planning method.

Backward

For a production order, the planning of the production order is based on a fixed delivery date. A start date is calculated from the order run time.

For a project, the network planning for the project is executed on the basis of a fixed delivery date. When you start the planning in the Generate Network Planning (tppss2240m000), LN determines the project's start date with a Backward planning method.

Earliest Start Date

The earliest date on which the activity can be started.

Earliest Finish Date

The earliest date on which the activity can be completed.

Latest Start Date

The latest date on which the activity can be started.

Latest Finish Date

The latest date on which the activity can be completed.

Scheduling
Calendar

The calendar which specifies the working hours of the Activities.

/

The code that identifies the availability type for which you can use the calendar.

Note: This field is enabled only if the Calendar field is specified .
Actual Calendar

Indicates the calendar code and the availability type linked to the project.

Description

The description or name of the code.

Calendar Origin

Indicates the entity where the Actual Calendar is defined.

Duration

The expected duration of the activity.

Time Unit Duration

The time unit in which the duration is expressed.

Description

The description or name of the code.

Constraint Type

The constraints/checks that are implemented for the MSP XML file of the external scheduling package.

There are 3 types of constraints:

  • Flexible : The activity can be performed as soon as possible or as late as possible.
  • Semi-flexible: The activity must start or end before/after the specified date.
  • Inflexible: The activity must start/end on the specified date.

Default value

By default, this field is set to As Soon As Possible.

Allowed values

The constraint types for the Microsoft project XML file are:

  • Flexible

    • As Soon As Possible:

      The external scheduling package schedules the activity as soon as possible based on the project activity start date. This is the default constraint type applicable for all the activities. The Constraint Date is not applicable.
    • As Late As Possible:

      The external scheduling package schedules the activity as late as possible based on the project activity finish date. This is the default constraint type applicable for all the activities. The Constraint Date is not applicable.
  • Semi-flexible

    • Start No Earlier Than:

      The activity is scheduled to start on or after the specified constraint date.
    • Start No Later Than:

      The activity is scheduled to start on or before the specified constraint date.
    • Finish No Earlier Than:

      The activity is scheduled to end on or after the specified constraint date.
    • Finish No Later Than:

      The activity is scheduled to end on or before the specified constraint date.
  • Inflexible

    • Must Start On:

      The activity is scheduled to start on the specified constraint date.
    • Must Finish On:

      The activity is scheduled to end on the specified constraint date.
Constraint Date

The date specified for the constraint type.

Note: This field is disabled if the Constraint Type field is set to As Soon As Possible or As Late As Possible.
Deadline Date

The date by which the scheduled activity must be completed.

Note: This field is considered only by the external scheduling package.
Schedule Mode

The mode in which the task is exported to XML.

Allowed values

Auto Scheduled

The task is exported to XML based on automatic planning. When this option is used, the tag in the XML contains the value 0.

Manually Scheduled

The task is exported to XML based on manual planning. When this option is used, the tag in the XML contains the value 1.

Note: If this option is selected, the Manual Start date, Manual Finish date and Manual duration are set.
Note: This value is defaulted from the Schedule Mode field in the Project Planning Parameters (tppss0100s000) session. However, you can modify the value.
Float
Free Float

The free float time between one activity and the next. The free float time indicates how many days the activity can be extended without affecting the progress of other related activities.

Total Float

The total float of an activity is the maximum time expressed in (working) days in which that activity can be shifted without affecting the planned completion date of the relevant project.

The total float time is calculated:
Total Float = Latest Finish - Earliest Start - Activity Duration
The latest finish date and earliest start date are expressed in project days.
Earned Value Tracking
Earned Value Method

The earned value method is a way to calculate the planned value and earned value.

Linked Activity

If the earned value method is apportioned, you need to link an activity to this activity.

Start Percentage

The percentage value assigned to the start point of the activity. At the start of the activity, a specified percentage of the project activity can be considered as earned value. The sum of the start and end percentage must be 100%.

Note: This field is enabled only when the Earned Value Method is set to Start and End Percentage. The percentage will be used as default for the To use earned value related data as part of the time phased budget.
End Percentage

The percentage value assigned to the end point of the activity. The sum of the start and end percentage must be 100%.

Note: This field is enabled only when the Earned Value Method is set to Start and End Percentage.
Milestone Percentage

The percentage earned when the defined milestone is reached, based on the Earned Value Method of the type, Milestone. This method is linked to the activity, and a percentage or amount of the budget is assigned to each milestone. Each time a milestone is reached, the assigned budget is released.

Note: This field is enabled only when the Activity Type is set to Milestone. The sum of all the milestone Percentages linked to the activity must be 100%.
Reference Activity
Reference Activity

The reference activity.

Note: Only reference activities of the type, General and Field Service are applicable for the activity.
Frequency

The number of times a reference activity occurs as a part of project activity.

Apply Frequency to

The method in which the frequency of a reference activity as part of the project activity must be used.

Allowed values

Multiply Quantity

Indicates that the frequency is applied as a multiplier of the quantities of the reference activity.

Not Applicable
Create Service Order Activity

Indicates that additional service activities must be created.

Create Service Order

Indicates that a service order must be created.

Miscellaneous
Activity Manager

The activity manager associated with the activity.

Note: 
  • The specified user must be defined as an employee (activity manager) in the Employees - General (tccom0101m000) session.
  • Infor LN checks the employment status based on the Last Date of Employment specified in the Employees - People (bpmdm0101m000) session. If the user is currently not an employee, Infor LN displays a notification message. However, the ex-employee can be added as an activity manager.
Description

The description or name of the code.

Priority Supply Warehouse

The warehouse that receives the deliveries for more than one project. The goods are sent from the priority supply warehouse to the project warehouse. The value is defaulted from the Priority Supply Warehouse field in the Projects (tppdm6100m000) session.

Note: For a project, when an activity is performed at multiple locations, it is easier to transfer goods when the warehouse is also defined at the Activity/Element level.

ERP uses the following search path to check inventory, when generating PRP orders:

  1. The inventory in the Priority Supply Warehouse defined in the Activity (tppss2100m000)/ Elements (tpptc1100m000) session.
  2. The inventory in the Priority Supply Warehouse defined in the Projects (tppdm6100m000) session.
Description

The description or name of the code.

Default Project Warehouse

The project warehouse.

Derived from Standard Activity

If the project activity entered in this session does not have the required data, the defaults of this standard activity will be displayed.

Category

The category of the project activity.

Description

The description or name of the code.

Business Sector

The business sector where the project activity is performed.

Description

The description or name of the code.

Location
Geographical Area

The geographical area of the project activity.

Project Location

The location for the project's activity. For example, the construction location.

Address

The address where the project activity is performed. This is used for the resource planning.

Name

The name of the address.

GPS Latitude (WGS84)

The latitude of the GPS coordinates where the project activity is performed.

GPS Longitude (WGS84)

The longitude of the GPS coordinates where the project activity is performed.

Milestone
Milestone
Customized Item

The customized item (from the PCS project) linked to the milestone.

Description

The description or name of the code.

Scheduling
Milestone Reached

If this check box is selected, the milestone is reached.

Note: 

You can define the milestone as completed, in the following ways:

  • Manually in this session
  • From the progress entered in the external scheduling package
  • If the milestone is linked to a customized item, and you have run the Check Customized Item Completed (tppss2203m000) session to find that the customized item is completed.
Revenues
Milestone Amount

The home currency for the settled amount.