Introduction

Keka's PSA now includes enhanced estimation capabilities for accurate planning, budgeting, and resource allocation at both opportunity and project levels. It streamlines project planning and resource management processes, intended for project managers and team leaders. Utilizing the Estimation feature ensures that all project-related financial and resource allocations are planned accurately, minimizing the risk of budget overruns and promoting greater collaboration and transparency.

Step 1: Accessing the Estimation Feature

Navigate to the Projects (1) >> Opportunities (2) tab. 

This section functions like a mini CRM where you can manage business opportunities. 

Open the Opportunity for which you want to add estimates and click on the ‘Estimate’ button.

You can create multiple estimates for each opportunity. Simply give your estimate a Name, and then choose to create either a Task Estimate or a Resource Estimate and click Create.

  - Task Estimation: Plan the work breakdown structure including phases, milestones, and tasks.

  - Resource Estimation: Plan the necessary resources with respect to their roles and required hours.

Upon selecting a template, you'll also get a preview of what the estimation window could appear like.

Step 3.1: Configuring Task Estimations

For Task Estimations, add tasks by specifying the effort in hours, cost, and billing amount for each task. Set start and end dates and add any relevant comments.  Check out our article on Adding and modifying tasks in projects to learn more about adding tasks and phases.

Once you have added the required stages, use intuitive Gantt charts to adjust timelines and visualize your project’s flow. 

You can view this for various time periods and to make sure you don't miss anything, you can also check out the activity logs. 

Based on the task details you have added, you will also get other estimated parameters of this potential project, like the estimated time frame, projected revenue, estimated costs, margins etc. 

Then, you can reset, publish or delete this estimation.

Also, you can Invite team members to contribute to the estimations by setting appropriate permissions and sending them an invite link.

Step 3.2: Configuring Resource Estimations

To configure resource estimations you need to have rate cards of the same currency already set up.

Step 4: Finalizing and Publishing Estimations

- Review your estimations and make any necessary adjustments.

- Once satisfied, mark an estimation as ‘Published’ to lock it in and start generating skill-based resource requests directly from the opportunity.