Workload Contouring (Box types)
- Anna Ciepłota
- Agnieszka Sienkiewicz
- Marta Golab (Deactivated)
- Piotr Koszela
Workload contouring allows you to specify how an assignee's effort is distributed across a task period. On the box type configuration page, you can define the default workload contouring mode that will apply to all newly created boxes of that type.
An App Admin can establish a default workload contouring mode for new boxes of a specific type, which can be adjusted in individual boxes after they are created.
Altering the settings on the box type configuration page or on the individual box configuration page does not affect existing tasks; their workload contouring mode must be modified manually in the Resources module.
Security and access
Only users with the App Admin security role can edit the Box types and access the Administration.
To set the default scheduling mode for the box type:
Click the App settings (wrench icon) in the top right corner.
Select Box types from the dropdown list.
On the Administration page, click a box type name to open its settings.
On the box type configuration page, go to Tasks > Workload contouring tab.
Default workload contouring mode
You can set a workload contouring mode of a task to:
Auto flat
Auto back-loaded
Auto front-loaded
Manual BigPicture Enterprise
Auto flat mode
The flat mode means that if a task duration lasts for five days and the original estimate to complete the work is 20 hours, the assignee's effort is distributed evenly. For example, 20 hours spread over five days results in 4 hours of work per day. This mode is shown on the Gantt chart in the Resources panel. If you adjust the task duration, the effort will be reallocated evenly.
Auto front-loaded mode
In front-loaded mode, additional effort is progressively allocated from the start date of the task. The assignee is assigned as many hours per day as their capacity permits (for example, 8 hours per day) until the total effort is fully distributed.
Auto back-loaded mode
In the back-loaded mode, extra effort is gradually added, beginning at the task's end date. The assignee is assigned as many hours per day as their capacity allows (for example, 8 hours), going backward until the estimate is fully allocated.
Manual Contouring Mode
Manual contouring mode is available only in BigPicture Enterprise. It cannot be enabled if the effort mode is set to story points.
You can manually adjust workload contour by switching to manual mode. Once activated, you can manually spread the workload directly on the task details dialog box.
As you modify the workload, the original estimate will be updated accordingly. The remaining capacity for each resource is displayed below each field, allowing you to see how much capacity is available on a given day.
This feature offers flexibility and helps ensure you can achieve the desired allocation. For example, if you want to assign someone 7 hours of work each day while leaving 1 hour for miscellaneous tasks, you can easily manage that, even if they have multiple commitments.