PRJ98: Early Timephased Actual Cost not Reflected in Total ACWP (175009)

SYMPTOMS

Actual Cost values entered before the task is scheduled to start are not reflected in the total Actual Cost of Work Performed (ACWP) value.

CAUSE

By default, Microsoft Project automatically calculates Actual Cost. To edit Actual Cost information you need to turn off the "Actual cost is always calculated by Microsoft Project" option. When this feature off, Microsoft Project allows you to enter Actual Cost. Normally, Actual Cost is accumulated during the task duration; however, Microsoft Project does not prevent you from entering the Actual Cost before the task starts. This can result in the behavior described in the Symptoms section.

NOTE: To locate this option, click Options on the Tools menu, and then click the Calculation tab.

WORKAROUND

To work around this problem, change the Actual Start time in the Actual Start field. You should schedule the actual start time to be at least as early as the earliest date that Actual Cost is accumulated or enter the Actual Cost within the task date range.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in the versions of Microsoft Project listed above.

This problem was corrected in Microsoft Project 98 for Windows, Service Release 1 (SR-1).

For additional information about obtaining and installing SR-1, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

185102 PRJ98: How to Obtain and Install MS Project 98 SR-1