This article describes how Estimated Charge is calculated in Resource Plans and explains both the previous approach with setting the Charge Rate value and the new approach using the Cost Rate Tables.
The new approach is recommended as the Set Charge Rate functionality (previous approach) will be discontinued by the end of 2026.
Using Cost Rate tables for Estimated Charge calculation
With the new release on May 18th, 2026, PPM Express introduces a more flexible and accurate way to calculate charges using Cost Rate Tables with effective periods.
Instead of relying on a manually set Charge Rate, the system now uses date-based values defined for each Resource. The new Cost Rate Tables are available from the Resource dashboard -> Details section.
You can define different cost and rate values for different time periods for necessary resources. The system automatically applies the correct value based on the planned date.
For example:
- Jan–Mar -> Standard Rate = 100
- Apr–Dec -> Standard Rate = 120
If work is planned in April, the system will automatically use 120.
The following fields can be used to configure cost and/or rate values:
- Standard Cost
- Overtime Cost
- Cost per Use
- Standard Rate
- Overtime Rate
- Charge per Use
Additionally, you can configure periods for:
- Max Units %
- Non-Project Work %
When using Cost Rate Tables:
Estimated Charge = Planned Hours × Standard Rate (effective on the planned date). The value is taken directly from the Cost Rate Table set for the resource, not from a manually set Charge Rate.
For more details about the Cost Rate Tables, please refer to the following article: How to configure effective costs and rates.
Also, a new Resource Plan setting is introduced for the Project Settings, and users can choose how the Estimated Charge is calculated:
- Charge Rate-based (legacy). The Set Charge Rate action in the resource plans will be discontinued by the end of 2026.
- Cost Rate Table-based (recommended).
All new projects use the Cost Rate Table-based calculation by default. Existing projects continue using Charge Rate, which can be switched to the table-based calculation.
If the resource plan is used at the Program or Portfolio level, the configuration appears as an additional menu accessible via the ellipsis button to the right of the corresponding dashboard.
This ensures a smooth transition without impacting existing data.
Using Charge Rate value for Estimated Charge calculation
Previously, users calculated the Estimated Charge using the Charge Rate field defined per Resource within a specific Project.
This functionality was useful when a Resource required a project-specific rate different from their default Standard Rate.
In this article, we describe the Resource dashboard sections for Project-level Resource Planning. If a Program or Portfolio level is selected on your tenant instead of Projects, all the settings and Resource Planning logic will be the same.
By default, when allocating a Resource on the Project the Standard rate value set on the Resource dashboard is set to the Charge Rate field. The Charge Rate is taken into account when calculating the Estimated Charge for Resources. If there is a necessity to change the Charge Rate value for a specific Project this can be done manually from the Resource Plan Project section.
To set the Charge Rate for the Resource per Project, perform the following:
1. Open the Project dashboard of the required Project. Navigate to the Resource Plan section.
2. Click on the Configure Columns button on the right.
3. Add the Charge Rate and Estimated Charge fields. You can add the Estimated Cost field at once to see the whole picture.
4. Open the action menu for the required Resource by clicking on the ellipsis button.
5. Navigate to the Set Charge Rate option and set the required rate. The Charge Rate value is saved automatically.
6. Now, the value provided becomes available in the Charge Rate field.
The Estimated Charge fields will be recalculated according to the Charge Rate value.
The formula is the following:
- Estimated Charge (all planned hours * resource 'Charge Rate').
The formula for the Estimated Cost is the following:
- Estimated Cost (Planned Hours* Standard Cost (effective on the planned date)).
It is possible to set the Charge Rate from the Utilization section of the Resource dashboard.
If the Standard Rate value was applied for the Charge Rate field by default in the Resource Plan section for the Resource, and then the Standard Rate value was changed on the Resource dashboard page or the Effective Rate Tables, the Charge Rate in the Project Resource Plan section will still remain the same. If the same Resource is then allocated for another Project, a new Resource Rate value will be set for the Change Rate field.
However, if the Standard Cost is changed on the Resource dashboard or the Effective Cost Tables for the Resource, the Estimated Cost will be recalculated.
When replacing the Resources, it is possible to keep the Charge Rate of the replaced Resource.
