By default, when a resource is assigned to a task in OnePlan, the resource's Effort is distributed evenly across the task's duration.

Some projects require work to be distributed unevenly. For example, a resource may complete most of their work during the first week of a task and only a small amount during the remaining weeks.

Time-phased Assignments allow the effort assigned to a resource to be distributed across specific periods of time instead of being spread evenly across the entire task duration.

When synchronizing a Microsoft Project Professional (MPP) file with OnePlan, time-phased Work values are imported and stored as assignment segments, preserving the distribution of work defined in Microsoft Project.

Important: Time-phased assignments is only supported for Work resource types. 

Understanding Assignment Segments

In Microsoft Project, time-phased Work is divided into individual time periods. When synchronized with OnePlan, each of these periods is stored as an assignment segment.

A segment represents the amount of Effort assigned to a resource during a specific period of time.

For example, a resource assigned 40 hours of total Effort might have the following time-phased distribution:

Each weekly allocation is stored as an individual assignment segment in OnePlan. The combined Effort from all segments equals the resource's total assigned Effort for the task.

Creating Time-phased Assignments in Microsoft Project

Time-phased assignments are created using the Task Usage view in Microsoft Project.

Open the Task Usage View

1. Open the MPP file in Microsoft Project.
2. Select the Task tab.
3. Select the Gantt Chart drop-down.
4. Select Task Usage.

Entering Time-phased Work

The calendar displays time-based periods (such as days, weeks, or months depending on the selected timescale).

Enter the amount of Work for each period to distribute the resource's effort over the duration of the task.

For example, a resource assigned 40 hours could have their work distributed as follows:

This creates a time-phased assignment where more work is completed during the first week than during later weeks.

Note: The displayed time periods depend on the current timescale in Microsoft Project and may be shown by day, week, month, or another interval.

Once time-phased work is imported from the MPP file via the Publish button, the resulting segments can be viewed in OnePlan.

Viewing Time-phased Assignments in OnePlan

For plans synchronized with Microsoft Project, assignment segments are viewed differently than plans created directly within OnePlan.

Quick Edit

The recommended way to view time-phased assignments is through Quick Edit.

1. Open the plan in OnePlan.
2. Select Quick Edit.
3. Open the Resources tab.
4. Expand the assigned resource.

If the assignment contains time-phased segments, an expansion arrow appears next to the resource. Expanding the resource displays each assignment segment, including its Start date, Due date, Effort, and Units.

Note: For plans connected to a Microsoft Project file, the Advanced Edit option is not available from the task menu. Time-phased assignment data should instead be viewed through Quick Edit or the OnePlan API.

Understanding Effort and Units

Time-phased assignments include values at multiple levels.

Task

The task stores the overall Effort for all assigned resources.

Assignment

Each resource assignment stores its own Units value, which is separate from the segment units.

Assignment Segment

Each assignment segment stores:

• Start
• Due
• Effort
• Units

These values represent the resource's allocation during a specific period of time. The combined Effort across all resource assignments equals the task's overall Effort.

Additional Considerations

• Time-phased assignments preserve the work distribution defined in Microsoft Project.
• Changes made to assignment segments in Microsoft Project are synchronized to OnePlan.
• Differences in project calendars or working hours between Microsoft Project and OnePlan may result in slight differences in the Units percentages displayed in the OnePlan user interface, even though the underlying Effort values remain the same.