Erpnext: Project enhancement

[almeidapaulopt]

This is already referred in several issues as in #7321 etc.
Erpnext need to cover the both types of customer projects:

• Time and Material (hours + material + expenses)
• Contract (f-ixed price)

Actual almost all functionalities are already in erpnext but in a "order centric management" and to companies with several projects there are some little changes to be more project centric management.

Also a "change management" is needed in projects by contract. example: The customer ordered 300m2 of wall paint but during the project execution customer wants to order a 40m2 of wall in wood but remove those 40m2 from wall painting. In this situation we need to quote the 40m2 of wall in wood, but in this quotation we need to "quote" less 40m2 of paint wall. This quote is a "Change Request" and if aproved by the customer is transformed in a "Change Order" to a Project.

Here is a more detailed list of tasks:

1. Project

• [x] After Project created from "Make Project" in Sales Order. Link SO to the new project https://github.com/frappe/erpnext/pull/9381
• [ ] After Project created from "Make Project" in Sales Order. Link SO Item to the project Task
• [ ] Add progress report with tasks ordered/delivered/billed
• [ ] Make Delivery Notes from tasks
• [ ] On Project close also close all Sales Order of the project
• [ ] add "Stakeholders" field of type Table of stakeholders Doctype (see bottom)

1. Project tasks

• Add Milestones

• [x] add "is milestone" field https://github.com/frappe/erpnext/pull/8975

• [x] add Milestone on Gantt https://github.com/frappe/frappe/pull/3370

• Group tasks

• [x] TBD - possibility to group/nested tasks (need help mainlly for UI)
  NOTE: Group tasks is a diferent concept from dependent tasks that already exists.

• Task Totals

• [ ] Add "Ordered Quantity" Field (updated on each Sales Order)

• [ ] Add "Delivered Quantity" Field (updated on each Delivery Note)
• [ ] Add "Billed Quantity" Field (updated on each Invoice)

1. Change Management

• [ ] Add "Change Request" on Quotation type
• [ ] Add "Change Order" on Sales Order type
• [ ] Add "Project" field on Quotation if type is Change Request
• [ ] Add "Task" field on Quotation item (if the quotation item is against any existing task)
• [ ] Add "Task" field on Order item (if the Order item is against any existing task)

1. Sales Order

• [x] Add "Project" to "Make" button https://github.com/frappe/erpnext/pull/9111
• [ ] Update task "Ordered Quantity" on Sales Order submit
• [ ] Update task "Ordered Quantity" on Sales Order cancelation

1. Delivery Notes

• [ ] Add "Task" field on DN item (if the DN item is against any existing task)
• [ ] Update Task field "Ordered Quantity" on Delivery Note submit
• [ ] Update task field "Ordered Quantity" on Delivery Note cancelation

1. Stakeholders

Have a list of all stakeholders and their role and responsibilities, also have a single point to get contact with all teams/persons in the project

• [ ] add child Doctype with Fields
  "Contact" link for contact Doctype
  "Role" link for "Project Role"
  "responsibilities" short text
  "email" readonly contact.email
  "phone" readonly contact.phone

• [ ] Add "Project Role" Doctype with fields
  Name data

[rijulmanch]

How about multi-level tasks/mini-projects?

[almeidapaulopt]

@rijulmanch I've called it "Group tasks"

[mhbu50]

+1

[quintact]

+1

[superlack]

@almeidapaulopt Would it make sense in your mind to track Change Orders as Tasks instead of Projects? Keeping client, address, and dashboard all related, but being able to bill against certain tasks/change orders?

I noticed your thread on the forum and am currently looking for ways to implement some features related to the trades. Quote vs T&M billing would be a big one.

[almeidapaulopt]

@superlack Change Order is a Sales order linked to the project and each Sales order item is linked to a task. So yes you can bill against a task.

Don't forget a "change order" could be add quantities to the task, decrease quantities, add new tasks or delete the task.

[superlack]

@almeidapaulopt Interesting.. I am currently figuring out the proper cycle for change orders to be handled for project-wise billing. I think we're using the system differently, and I'm curious how the workflow works for you, and how the change orders would be managed. If I understand correctly, the proposed workflow is as follows:

_Project is created with tasks/phases

Client requests changes > Sales order (change order) is produced with Items (found in item doctype)

Upon acceptance, the Sales Order becomes a project; items become tasks._

I'm curious how you are billing for projects, mostly because the most out-of-the-box method of billing a project, is to select it through the Sales Invoice field which fetches all related timesheets. Timesheet hours are usually handled as an Item within the Sales Invoice (Labour). With timesheets in mind, Project tasks could be a great way (if expanded upon) to work change orders into existing projects.

It looks like you would be producing new Items for Sales (change) Orders only, and they don't appear after that.

I'm really wanting to introduce a project focus into ERPNext aswell. I could have misinterpreted a lot of things, but let me know..

[dufani1]

@almeidapaulopt and @superlack we need to start improve project module ASAP and how can I help?

[superlack]

@dufani1 and @almeidapaulopt I am completely on board. I am completely happy to help if we figure out the structure and process flow.

I do disagree with Change Orders becoming projects, as opposed to tasks, but am eager to understand the reasoning.

Let's get this going! Great work on the list @almeidapaulopt

[dufani1]

@almeidapaulopt and @superlack please try to make a Microsoft Dynamic 365 trail account for Project Service Automation model and try to explore it to have good ideas to improve our project model.
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/dynamics365/project-service-automation

[wojosc]

Hi @almeidapaulopt , are you still working on this? @hrwX many of the requirements from this issue are still opened. I am happy to help pin-point the issues as we are using projects a lot.

[jnino-nino]

@wojosc Hey I'm glad to see you here, it looks like most of these construction threads are dead. This group seems to have made some good progress but I'm willing to work on this and open the project up again.

I tried last year to apply this system and spent 2 months running into dead ends before I gave up. I'm a year cleverer than I was and if I could get this to work it would change my life.

Are you currently using Erpnext successfully for construction? I would love to configure the system and have a version to hand over to my subs and buddy's who could use some help getting organized.

[wojosc]

Hi @jnino-nino , we are using the product successfully with around 7 users at the moment. We do not user construction though. Still, it works. We have customers using contruction. Also it's pretty streight forward once you get your head around it. That's the tricky part.

What are you looking to work on on this?

[jnino-nino]

Document management/generation/versioning, job costing by class, work packages, tendering, items and assemblies, email, overhead allocation, multiple markups, change management, progress billing, rolling up and breaking out quotes differently per job, spec library, purchase orders.

I would like to do everything that COULD be done with the exception of equipment tracking, payroll and HR, inventory, and timesheets.

I know it's all in there but I think it would help if I could wipe all the default pre-installed values and hide most of the fields on each form. There are so many I can never figure out the relationships between the tables. I need to review the documentation and figure out what's useful and what isn't.

[wojosc]

@jnino-nino can we get to gether for a call some time to discuss this? I'm working in the support hotline all week so scheduling with me will be easy this week. Just message me!