The Mandrel cost allocation system allows you to allocate costs to different time periods. In effect it converts the typical two-dimensional layout of costs on a spreadsheet into a three-dimensional structure, so that you can track costs as a function of time. You can use this to integrate cash flow projections with your costing process.
If you imagine a cost breakdown structure being made up of a series of line items or tasks, and each line item is broken down into individual cost elements, then cost allocation allows you to split each cost element into different time periods such as months, quarters or years, or non-calendar periods such as project phases.
You can define your allocation system to have up to 64 separate blocks. Each block can represent a particular calendar period or some other method of subdividing costs. For example, in a multi-phase project you could have each block representing a different project phase.
You can also use this facility to split cost elements into different funding sources such as divisions or companies, which is why we refer to it as cost allocation rather than just time-splitting.
Once a cost allocation system has been set up, Mandrel will automatically accommodate it in its data input and reporting systems.
