Consumable Resource Properties dialog - Details tab
You use the Details tab of the Consumable Resource Properties dialog to view and maintain general details of the selected consumable resource. You can name the resource, specify the calendar to be used by the resource and the date range within which the resource is available, specify the unit in which the resource is measured, specify the amount of the resource you have available and specify its appearance.
How to access the Consumable Resource Properties dialog
To access the Consumable Resource Properties dialog, right-click a consumable resource in Library Explorer or the project view and select Properties.
Explanation of the fields and buttons on the dialog
| Field/Button | Description |
|---|---|
| Name | Enter the full descriptive name of the consumable resource, for example 6 Inch Nails. |
| Short single name | Enter the singular name for the consumable resource, ie a name that describes one of the resource, for example Nail. |
| Short plural name | Enter the plural name of the consumable resource, ie a name that describes more than one of the resource, for example Nails. |
| Calendar | Select the calendar to which the resource works. Click Properties to view and edit the details of the calendar. |
| Measured in | Enter the unit in which the consumable resource is measured, for example Metres, Litres or Kilograms. |
| Initial availability |
Enter the number of the resource that is available. The initial availability is measured in the units specified. For example, you might have 500 litres of paint available.
If this is a subordinate consumable resource, the availability is rolled-up and included in the parent resource's Total availability.
When you first create a resource folder, the folder is given an initial availability of 1.00. When you create subordinate resources within the folder, the availability of the resource folder changes to the total availability of the resources within the folder, and is then displayed in the Availability - Total field. Although the Initial availability field is set to zero at this point, you can edit it subsequently to specify an availability figure for the folder itself. |
| Total |
The number of the resource that is available, plus (for resource folders) the Initial availability of any subordinate resources.
For example, if a consumable resource of Paint has subordinate resources of Red Paint, Blue Paint and Green Paint, the Total availability of the Paint resource is the sum of the availability of the red, blue and green paints, plus any extra that is classified under Paint itself. |
| Available from... to | If the resource is only available after or before a particular date and time, enter the date(s) and time(s). |
| Not available for new assignments |
Select this check box to prevent the consumable resource from being assigned to any tasks
It is good practice to select this check box for resources that are no longer actively engaged in your projects. |
| Resource appearance |
Select a foreground colour, background colour, pattern and outline style with which to represent the resource.
By default, the outline style you select applies only to line-style histogram graphs that use the resource appearance. If you want the outline style to apply to the resource's allocations, select the Use Line Style On Allocations column check box against the resource in Library Explorer. |
| Cost/Income | Click this button to view and maintain default details of the cost and income of the selected consumable resource. |
| Roll-ups | Click this button to view the total cost and income from all allocations of the selected consumable resource and from its subordinate resources. |
How do I...
... name the consumable resource?
Enter appropriate names for the resource in the Names group. For example, for a consumable resource with a name of 6 Inch Nails, you could give it a short single name of Nail and a short plural name of Nails.
... specify the calendar to be used by the consumable resource?
Select the calendar to which the consumable resource works by default in the Calendar field.
... specify the unit in which the consumable resource is measured?
Enter the name of the unit of measurement in the Measured in field, for example Metres, Litres or Kilograms.
... specify the availability of the consumable resource?
Enter the number of the resource that is available in the Initial availability field. The initial availability is measured in the units specified. If this is a subordinate consumable resource, the availability is rolled-up and included in the parent resource's total availability.
If the resource is only available after or before a particular date and time, enter the date(s) and time(s) in the Available from and to fields.
... prevent the consumable resource from being assigned to any tasks?
Select the Not available for new assignments check box.
... specify the appearance of the consumable resource?
Select a foreground fill colour, background fill colour, pattern and outline in the Appearance group.
This dialog may or may not display a number of tabs that contain advanced functionality. Click More >>> to display all of this dialog's tabs, or click Less <<< to hide the advanced tabs from view.