Unsung heroes of D365 Project Operations

Introduction

Some features get more publicity than others. Copilot features available in ProjOps seem to get most of screen time recently and they definitely deserve the limelight.

What about other recent improvements in ProjOps? I have selected a couple that you may still not use. They can be added easily with little training needed.

Depending when ProjOps was installed, some items may need to be enabled on the ProjOps parameter record using Feature Control (by selecting e.g. ‘Enable Project Calendar Control’).

1.????? Project Calendar Control – setting project’s working days more easily

This feature allows PMs to directly modify calendars used on projects. At the start of a project PM might want to e.g. specify that due to client’s request all Fridays are non-working.

It is achieved by making changes to working and non-working days applicable to the project using the Calendar tab on the project main page. Detailed steps are described at: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dynamics365/project-operations/project-management/define-project-calendars#edit-a-projects-calendar.

Project Calendar is used for generic resources and bookings while resources’ own work hours are used for named resources. For project-specific restrictions to be applied to named resources, PM has to additionally use Editing Contours.

2.????? Editing Contours ?- improved method of working with resource assignments

PMs create project tasks and add generic and named resources to them. However when this happens ProjOps distributes the effort equally over time. PMs need to distribute this by day, week, month or year and the last version of editing of resource contours enables just that.

To access the contour editing grid, the PM first selects the Tasks tab on the project main page and then selects the Assignments sub-tab. Detailed steps are described at: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dynamics365/project-operations/project-management/create-assignments#editing-resource-assignment-contours.

After you finish editing the contours by changing values in cells, the blue wheel icon (displayed on the left) will show when ProjOps has finished processing the changes to assignments.

Many people consider Editing Contours a ‘hidden feature’, because it cannot be found under the ‘Resource Assignments’ tab but under the ‘Assignments’ sub-tab hiding on ‘Task’ tab. It is indeed a bit confusing.

3.????? Markup over transaction cost – ensure you cover project costs and make a profit

‘Markup over transaction cost’ aka ‘cost plus pricing’ is a common method for calculating prices for services. Many organizations choose to calculate their bill rates as a function of the associated cost rate.

The feature in ProjOps allows just that and is easy to use. You can read how to set it up at: ?https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dynamics365/project-operations/pricing-costing/set-up-labor-bill-rate?source=recommendations#markup-over-transaction-cost.

Currently the cost plus feature only works for project estimates (displayed on Time phased estimates tab) and actuals. It does not work for quote line details, contract line details or budgets, but this shortcoming will be addressed soon (read more at https://releaseplans.microsoft.com/?app=Project+Operations&planID=b299e112-28ba-ee11-a569-00224827e905).

4.????? Billing Hub - improved project invoicing usability and performance

The Billing Hub helps accountants to review all contracts, contract lines and billing backlogs for Time, Materials, Expenses, Fees and Milestones on one screen. They can click ‘Update Totals’ to update backlogs’ values and click on each backlog e.g. ‘Time’ to view its transactions. Once they click on ‘Create Project Invoices’, invoices will get created with the value as in ‘Ready to be invoiced’ column. No more surprises when invoices get created!

What is still missing is the ability to define criteria for transactions to be included on an invoice e.g. only for the previous month and ability to navigate from actuals to project approvals to correct transactions. Luckily it seems that some of these items are back in the product backlog published today (see more at: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dynamics365/release-plan/2024wave2/finance-supply-chain/dynamics365-project-operations/).

After an invoice is confirmed, accountant sometimes needs to revise some of the transactions. This is now possible without having to create a full credit note. On a confirmed invoice Accountant can use Revise/Select Transactions to pick transactions to be credited and add them to a new (partial) credit note (see more at: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dynamics365/project-operations/proforma-invoicing/revise-project-invoices).

Summary

Microsoft is heavily investing in Project Operations and to make use of applicable enhancements, it is worth to periodically review the list of new available features and features announced on the roadmap. I have presented here a couple of features added or enhanced within last 12 months that you may still not be benefiting from that can be easily enabled. And there is plenty of other goodness on the horizon as well.

Please let me know if you have any questions and comments. Please also let me know if you need any help with your existing Project Operations implementation or if you are thinking about embarking on a Project Operations journey. It is good to have an experienced first officer onboard when you set sail.