Allocating a project's costs to multiple clients
In Replicon, it's possible to assign multiple clients to a single project and allocate a percentage of all project costs to each client. This option would typically be used by customers who allocate the cost of internally-delivered services among the departments who use those services.
Once you've set an initial cost allocation for a project, you can view the resulting cost data in reports. And, when needed, you can change how the cost amounts are split among clients.
An example of cost allocation
You might have a recruiter who finds staff for all departments. For budgeting purposes, you'd like to allocate his cost to departments based on their usage. In this case, you could:
- Create an internal Recruitment project that the recruiter enters all of his time against
- Set up each department as a client for that project, and
- Allocate the cost of that project among the client departments
The percent allocation for each department could be based on the size or budget of each department, historical work performed, or other variables.
Setting up an 'Allocated Between' multiple-client project
To set up cost allocation, you'll need to assign multiple clients – or internal business units – to a project and assign each of them an allocation percentage.
This is the same method that is used when splitting billing amounts among clients.
To assign multiple clients to a cost allocation project:
- Click Projects in the top menu, and click Add New Project.
Or, you can modify client assignments in an existing project by opening the project and clicking the Project Info button.
- From the Client section of the dialog that displays, ensure the Allocated Between option is selected.
- Select a client from the Client field, if one isn't already selected.
Once you've selected a single client, a +Client link will appear under the field.
- Click the +Client link.
- Select a second client.
A percentage column will display to the right of the client names.
By default, each client will be assigned an equal percentage of the costs. You can update percentages once you've added all clients.
- Continue adding clients until all the clients you need have been added.
To allocate a percentage of the project's costs to each client:
- Click on percentages to update the allocations that display.
If you've allocated more or less than 100% of the costs, the total percentage will turn red.
- Finish setting up the project and click Add Project.
Changing allocations for a project
You can update how costs are split between clients at any time, though all allocation dates must fall within the existing timeframe of the project. Using effective dates allows you to set up allocations ahead of time, without impacting existing cost calculations.
To change the allocation split for a project:
- Go to Projects > Projects, and click the name of the project.
- Click the Project Info button.
- Select the Client History icon.
A Client History dialog displays.
You can update allocations by clicking the client names and allocation percentages. Click the 
icon to delete a client, the + Client link to add a client, and the 
icon to delete an entire allocation.
You can update the initial clients and their allocations, or click New Clients Effective to add a new set of allocations that will come into effect as of the date you select.
Viewing allocated hours and costs in reports
You can use the Project report template to view cost allocation data. In this report, a row displays for each client in a cost allocted project.
The following cost allocation columns are available:
|
Column name |
This column shows... |
|---|---|
|
Actual Hours |
The hours allocated to each client |
|
Actual Cost |
The costs allocated to each client |
|
Actual Hours with no allocation |
The total hours worked on the project, with no allocation |
|
Actual Cost with no allocation |
The total hours worked on the project, with no allocation |
|
Client Allocation % |
The percent each client is allocated for the project |
FAQs
Can we use this feature to bill multiple external clients for work we performed on a single project?
Yes, you can bill multiple clients, based on their allocation percentages. Refer to Billing multiple clients for a project for more details.
Can we change the assigned clients and percentages allocated once the project is saved?
Yes, you can update the allocation percentages at any time – the currently-assigned percentages will always be used in reports. Click the Project Info button on the project's main page to update allocations after the project is created.
Can we import multi-client projects using the RIA import tool?
No, you can't import these types of projects using RIA; you'll need to use the Replicon web app.
Related links
Setting up a project for costing
Tracking costs and billing for a client
Setting and tracking project costs by cost type (CapEx or OpEx)
Billing multiple clients for a project
How project costing works
