Getting Started

Create a data model for your project. The code structures and user defined fields you create in EVMax provide the framework to organize and assign attributes to the data. These codes and fields are used to integrate data between systems as well as to create data views and produce reports. Identifying these requirements upfront saves time because you have a better understanding of what is needed to produce the desired outputs from the data.

For example, a typical code structure all projects use is a work breakdown structure (WBS). Are there WBS element attributes you want to capture? Perhaps you want to identify the contract line item number (CLIN) or statement of work (SOW) paragraph reference for the WBS elements. You can add these user defined fields to the WBS code structure so that the additional cross reference data can be entered.

Creating a list of the required data views and reports for a project is a one place to begin identifying what project specific code lists or structures are required. Consider how different functional users may want to sort, select, filter, group, or view the data for a single project or across multiple projects. Also consider data integration requirements. If you intend to integrate EVMax with your schedule tool, what activity or resource assignment fields do you want to share with EVMax? This can help you define the coding framework to organize project data. In EVMax, you can add user defined code or text fields to:

• User defined code structures.
• The list of resources required for the project.
• Different levels of data such as the WBS/control account or work package. These user defined codes and fields display in the main EVMax window.
• The enterprise nodal structure (ENS) useful for grouping projects into categories for cross-project resource capacity and demand, financial, and performance analysis.

1. Set up the core project data. At a minimum, this includes the calendar structure, rate structure, resource structure, and codes such as the work breakdown structure (WBS) for the project. Code, calendar, rate, and resource structures are unique to each project. You also have the option of setting up global calendar, rate, and resource structures projects can share. See Setup Project Data. You must be an administrative user to set up the core data.
2. Enter or import the WBS for the project. See Create a Code Structure or Import a Code Structure. You must be an administrative user to set up the WBS.
3. Create the project and enter or set project level options. As part of the set up process, the calendar structure, rate structure, resource structure, and codes created in Steps 1 and 2 are assigned to the project. See Manage Projects. You must be an administrative user to create a new project.
4. Enter the budget data. See Cost Values.
5. Product reports. See Reports.

See the Navigation topic for an overview of how to use the left Navigation Menu and top Ribbon Menu. You will find additional use notes for the various EVMax windows throughout the topics in this user guide.