Resource Attributes

In Define Resources it was pointed out that resources have a property called the Resource Attribute, which can be used to group resources. This provides a convenient way in which to organize resource data into logical groups or categories. Furthermore, it enables the viewing of data on a higher level than the fine-grained resource list, consequently it will prove useful during the reporting phase when summaries and rollup is required on resource reports. For example, some organizations choose to not track expenses on the resource level, but rather to view cost reports on a higher level. So, instead of keeping track of money spent on bricks, an organization might choose to trace the cost of all materials as a group.

Attributes in Trimble Quest are generic, which implies that different attribute classes can be defined and within a class instances of the class can be created. By default, all standard Trimble Quest projects are prepopulated with one resource attribute class, namely Resource Type. An unlimited number of Resource Type instances can be created for a project. Typical examples are Labor, Materials, Equipment, Fuel, Consumables, etc. One of the created Resource Types should be assigned to each resource in order to group resources of a similar nature. The default type, @Undefined, is assigned to a newly created resource, but it should be changed.

Our focus here will be on the creation of attributes of class Resource Type, although we can also define a new Attribute Class. The tools needed to perform these actions reside in the R Attributes tab of the right-hand side action bar, which is displayed when the Resources scene is open. See Figure: Creating Resource Attributes. Notice in the figure that the built-in attribute class, Resource Type, is displayed in the Attribute Classes window and the button +Attribute Class can be pressed to define a new class. By expanding the Resource Attributes window, which is shown on the right-hand side of Figure: Creating Resource Attributes, the button +Attribute becomes visible and can be used to define attributes of the selected attribute class, which is Resource Type as shown. When +Attribute is pressed, a new resource type with a default Code and Name is added to the list. These properties have to be unique when compared to the other resource types present in a project. The name of a resource attribute is self-explanatory and is simply a short line of text describing what the data element represents. The code can be thought of as the ID of a resource type and it is typically either a number or an abbreviated form of the name. Simply double-click on the code or name to change it.

More detailed management of Resource Attributes is provided by the Attribute Reports button, which opens the "R Attr – Resource Type" scene in the main window. There each data element has a kebab menu that can be used, for example, to remove the element. Furthermore, the +Add button can be used to define new types, and the +Import button can be used to import Resource Types from spreadsheets or previously created projects.

There is no limit on the size of a Resource Attribute list and users can define as many resource attributes as required. An example of a populated Resource Attribute list is shown in the Resources scene of Figure: Creating Resource Attributes.

Next topic: Assign Resource Attributes