Manage Budget Index Variables

Budgets are broken down into parts to make them easy to manage. These are the components from the highest point to the lowest point in the hierarchy:

• Budget Template: Where your budget line items are configured.

• Budget Type: Displays as a column in your budget. When you add values to a line item in your budget, you enter a value in a Budget Type column.

• Budget Summary: The Budget page displays a snapshot of the budget information and is a sub-module of each module except the Contract and Equipment Contract modules. You can select a template that determines the columns or types that display.

• Budget Views: Limits the line items that display by user class.

• Budget Index Variables: Use to modify the default value of one or more budget line items based upon a predefined variable condition. For example, if you know that your typical construction costs are less for projects in a certain region, you can create a Construction Costs variable that allows your project managers to adjust certain budget columns by a percentage value.

To add a budget index variable:

1. Click Add button in the lower-right corner of the Manage Budget Index Variables table.

   The Manage Budget Index Variables window opens.

2. Enter a name for your variable in the Budget Index Variable Name field.

   Ensure that the name is descriptive enough for your users to understand its use.

3. Enter a description of the variable in the Description field.

   Add descriptions to every template, layout, or field you create in Lucernex, so future administrators understand the purpose and context of each item.

4. Select the budget type this variable should be used for from the Available Budget Type List field.

   Press and hold CTRL on your keyboard to select multiple values.

5. Click >> to move a budget type from the Available Budget Type List field to the Selected Budget Type field.

   To remove a budget type from the Selected Budget Type field, select the budget type you want to remove and then click <<.

   Before you can add line items to a variable, you must save the variable.

6. Click Add button at the bottom of the window.

   The window closes. The new variable appears in the Manage Budget Index Variables table.

7. Click Edit link for your new variable.

   The Manage Budget Index Variables window opens.

   From this point forward, you can add, edit, or delete budget line items from your variable. Select the appropriate procedures below:

   Add a Budget Line Item

   To add a budget line item to your variable:

   1. Click Add Budget Line Item link.

      The Manage Index Variable Budget Items window opens.

   2. Select the budget template whose line items you want to add from the Budget Template field.

   3. Click Line Item Code field.

      A window opens.

   4. Click the line item you want to add.

      The window closes.

   5. Select Add.

      The Manage Index Variable Budget Items window closes. The budget line item appears in the Manage Budget Index Variables window.

   6. Select Update.

      The window closes. Your variable is saved.

   Edit a Budget Line Item

   To edit a budget line item on your variable:

   1. Click Edit link next to the budget line item you want to edit.

      The Manage Index Variable Budget Items window opens.

   2. Make your changes.

   3. Select Update.

      The Manage Index Variable Budget Items window closes.

   4. Select Update.

      The window closes. Your variable is saved.

   Delete a Budget Line Item

   To delete a budget line item from your variable:

   1. Click Delete link next to the budget line item you want to delete.

      A dialog opens, asking you to confirm your choice.

   2. Select Yes.

      The dialog box closes. The budget line item is deleted.

   3. Select Update.

      The window closes. Your variable is saved.

To edit a budget index variable:

1. Click Edit link for the variable you want to edit.

   The Manage Budget Index Variables window opens.

2. Make your changes.

3. Select Update.

   The window closes. Your variable is saved.

To delete a budget index variable:

1. Click Delete link for the variable you want to delete.

   A dialog opens, asking you to confirm your choice.

2. Select Yes.

   The variable is deleted.