Create a Milestone Library

  • The Ribbon Menu Export Milestones option produces an Excel file with the data. If you want to import milestone library data from another software tool into EVMax, you can use the EVMax export file as a model to build the data extract from the other tool. Note the named library values must match a defined code in a global or project specific code structure. The code structure must be assigned to the project at the work breakdown structure (WBS)/control account or work package level.
  • You can use the Ribbon Menu Export Milestones and Import Milestones options to create the milestone library data. For example, you could enter an initial set of milestone library data, export that data, and use Excel functions to copy, add, and edit the rows. Once you have produced the set of milestone library data, you can import the data into EVMax. Follow the same export process to create a copy of a project's milestone library data that other users could use to import into their project provided they have also defined the related milestone library code structure.
  • In addition to creating a milestone library, you can also define a unique set of accomplishment milestones that apply to a specific work package. See Define Earning Rule Milestones.

Prerequisites

  • See Milestone Library for more information about how to implement a milestone library for a project.
  • Create and populate a user defined code structure to identify the named set of earning rules for the different types of tasks. This is a simple list of milestone library codes. See Create a Code Structure. This could be a global code structure or a project unique code structure.
  • Assign the user defined code structure at the work breakdown structure (WBS)/control account or work package level for the project. Since the Earning Rules EVT is assigned at the work package level, assigning the user defined code structure at the work package level is often the best option. See Add Project User Fields.
  1. Select Project Data > Projects. The Manage Projects tab window displays.
  2. Click on the Structure [Select] dropdown in the Ribbon Menu and select the project you want from the list.
  3. Select the Milestones tab.
  4. Click Add at the bottom of the left pane. The Add Milestone dialog box displays.
    1. Select the milestone code structure assigned to the project from the Structure dropdown.
    2. Select the applicable code in the structure from the Value dropdown.
    3. Enter a name for the set of milestones in the Library field.
    4. Click OK. This adds the named library to the list in the left pane.

    5. Click Add again to continue defining named libraries.

      Tip:

      You can define one or more named libraries for the same Value code defined in the code structure. For example, perhaps the weights assigned to the steps for measuring completed work for a common task are different depending on the location or composition of the work team doing the work. You could define two named libraries for the Value with the same set of steps and assign different weights to the steps. When you define the work package, assign the Earning Rules EVT, and assign the applicable code structure milestone Value. You can then select which library applies in the Work Package Status EVT tab.

  5. Once you have created a named library, you add the milestones to the library with assigned weights. Select the named library row in the left pane.
    1. Click Add at the bottom of the right pane. This adds a Step row in the right pane with a default Name and Description.
    2. Edit the Name and Description for the milestone.
    3. Enter a Weight percent value. Notice the Weight column total at the bottom of the right pane increments.

    4. Add the remaining milestones for the named library. The Weight total at the bottom of the right pane should equal 100 when you have defined all of your milestones.

      Tips:

      To delete a milestone, select the row, then click Remove at the bottom of the right pane.

      To change the order of the milestones, select a milestone row and then click Up or Down at the bottom of the right pane..

  6. Click Save in the Ribbon Menu.
  7. Optional. Close the Manage Projects tab.

What to Do Next

  • When you define a work package assigned the Earning Rules earned value technique, the applicable user defined code for the predefined set of milestones from the library must be set. The user defined code may be at the work breakdown structure (WBS)/control account or work package level. See Enter Account User Fields or Add a Work Package.