Top-Side Forecast

Top-Side Forecast

Problem: WIP Management Bottleneck

  • WIP management implementation is often delayed until project teams are fully forecasting in Anterra.
  • This creates a need for a tool that allows accounting to make permanent, job-level FCAC adjustments to ensure accurate WIP reports in the interim.

Solution: Top-side Forecast Adjustment Tool

  • Access: Requires the "Work in Process" security role.
  • Location: A new slide-out drawer within the WIP Management tool, launched from the button at the top left.
  • Function: Modifies the FCAC value in WIP management tool's Column G.
  • Persistence: Adjustments are permanent until changed by another top-side entry or a project manager's (PM) forecast.

Tool Features & Workflow

  • Job Selection:
    • Search: Find jobs by any entered criteria (e.g., PM, job number).
    • Filters: Isolate jobs by status (In Progress, Closed), Project Manager, or Consolidation Group.
  • Individual Job Adjustment Detail Screen:
    • Method: Edit the adjustment amount, total FCAC, or percent complete.
    • History: A left-panel log tracks all changes, including the source (System, PM, Top-side).
    • Notes: Add a manual description or use the system's auto-generated note.
    • Drill-Downs: Click blue numbers (e.g., Future Costs) to open a new window with transaction details.
  • Mass Update Capabilities:
    • Purpose: Quickly correct common issues across multiple jobs.
    • Key Scenarios:
      • Closed jobs where forecast is not equal cost → Quickly identifies trickle-in costs on jobs that should be 100% complete.  Allows adjustments to multiple jobs at once.  Adjust to 100% complete and calculates required FCaC adjustment amount.
      • Costs greater than forecast → Flags jobs with lagging FCaC updates where known cost is greater than FCaC causing > 100% complete.
      • Future percent complete is over 100% → Shows jobs with current or future costs that will result in over 100% completion.
      • No top-side entries → Lists jobs that are not yet touched by the tool.
    • Action: Select multiple jobs → click "Adjust to 100% complete."
      • Warning: The system prompts before adjusting in-progress jobs to 100%, preventing accidental closure.

 

Process:

1. Initial Startup

a.     Start with the end of your Prior Year
i.     In the WIP Management screen, change the date back to the end of your prior fiscal year
ii.     Open the “Top-Side Forecast Adjustment” panel by clicking on the icon in the top left corner
iii.     Select “Closed Forecast ≠ Cost” if there is an icon showing (which is the count of jobs that match that criteria)
iv.    Check the “Select All” checkbox and then press the “Adjust to 100% Complete” button
v.    For the remaining jobs, compare each job and its forecast cost at complete (“FCaC”) to your WIP:
1.     Any job that needs adjustment, select the FCaC number.  A panel will expand where you enter the forecast cost amount from your WIP. Optionally, you are able to enter a note for the adjustment (which becomes the transaction description). From there, hit save.
2.     Continue through each job until your have completed your adjustments to match your prior year’s WIP figures.

b.     Next, adjust the end of your Prior Month (same steps as the Prior Year)
i.     In the WIP Management screen, change the date back to the end of your prior fiscal month
ii.     Open the “Top-Side Forecast Adjustment” panel by clicking on the icon in the top left corner
iii.     Select “Closed Forecast ≠ Cost” if there is an icon showing (which is the count of jobs that match that criteria)
iv.    Check the “Select All” checkbox and then press the “Adjust to 100% Complete” button
v.    For the remaining jobs, compare each job and its forecast cost at complete (“FCaC”) to your WIP:
1.     Any job that needs adjustment, select the FCaC number.  A panel will expand where you enter the forecast cost amount from your WIP. Optionally, you are able to enter a note for the adjustment (which becomes the transaction description). From there, hit save.
2.     Continue through each job until your have completed your adjustments to match your prior month's WIP figures.

You are now ready to advance to your Monthly Workflow!

2. Monthly Workflow (PMs Forecast in Anterra)

a.     Confirm you are in the right period in the WIP Management screen and open the “Top-Side Forecast Adjustment” panel by clicking on the icon in the top left corner

b.     First, review any closed jobs that have forecast <> cost, and auto-adjust them to 100% complete.  If you are following the monthly workflow each month, then this list should only be jobs that closed since the end of your prior month.  However, this could also include closed jobs that had a new transaction in the current month.
i.     Select “Closed Forecast ≠ Cost” if there is an icon showing (which is the count of jobs that match that criteria)
ii.     Check the “Select All” checkbox and then press the “Adjust to 100% Complete” button

c.     Next, review any jobs where the “Cost > Forecast” by selecting that button
i.     Note: You will need to un-select the “Closed Forecast ≠ Cost” button if it is still selected
ii.     If there are any jobs with this selection, it means one of the following:
1.     Your PM has not updated their forecast to be greater than cost to date, and you can either make the adjustment in the Top-Side tool directly or you can alert them and await their update.
2.     You have T&M jobs.  In this scenario, the most efficient process is to select all T&M jobs and adjust them to 100% complete.  That will adjust the forecast to bring it up to 100% complete and assist in your earned revenue recognition for the period.

d.     Finally, review any forecasts where the future % complete is greater than 100%.  This helps ensure that any current or future cost adjustments would not force the job to greater than 100% completion.
3. Monthly Workflow (PMs do not Forecast in Anterra)

a.     Confirm you are in the right period in the WIP Management screen and open the “Top-Side Forecast Adjustment” panel by clicking on the icon in the top left corner

b.     First, review any closed jobs that have forecast <> cost, and auto-adjust them to 100% complete.  If you are following the monthly workflow each month, then this list should only be jobs that closed since the end of your prior month.  However, this could also include closed jobs that had a new transaction in the current month.
i.     Select “Closed Forecast ≠ Cost” if there is an icon showing (which is the count of jobs that match that criteria)
ii.     Check the “Select All” checkbox and then press the “Adjust to 100% Complete” button

c.     If your PMs are running their forecasting outside of Anterra, this is the step where you can enter in their forecast total into the tool.
i.     Select the FCaC number.  A panel will expand where you are able to enter the forecast cost amount from the PMs’ forecast. Optionally, you are able to enter a note for the adjustment (which becomes the transaction description). From there, hit save.  Then you can move to the next job on the list.

d.     Next, do a review of potential issues and review any jobs where the “Cost > Forecast” by selecting that button
i.     Note: You will need to un-select the “Closed Forecast ≠ Cost” button if it is still selected
ii.     If there are any jobs with this selection, it means one of the following:
1.     Your PM has not updated their forecast to be greater than cost to date, and you can either make the adjustment in the Top-Side tool directly or you can alert them and await their update.
2.     You have T&M jobs.  In this scenario, the most efficient process is to select all T&M jobs and adjust them to 100% complete.  That will adjust the forecast to bring it up to 100% complete and assist in your earned revenue recognition for the period.

e.     Finally, review any forecasts where the future % complete is greater than 100%.  This helps ensure that any current or future cost adjustments would not force the job to greater than 100% completion.

Now you can close the panel and move to the WIP Management tool.


 Enabling the Top-Side Tool

  • Contact an Anterra Consultant or Support to enable the tool in your environment.



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