Overview
Contingency Source files define the lookup tables used when calculating contingency on cost estimates. A contingency source is a named file containing individual contingency lines — each line represents a risk factor combination (source × type) and its associated value. Projects are assigned a contingency source file via Edit a Project, and the lines in that file drive what appears in the Risk Factors sections of the Budget Form.
Permissions
Administrator role required.
Contingency Source Files
A contingency source file is a named container for contingency lines.
Source File Fields
| Field | Description | Required |
|---|
| Name | Unique name for the contingency source file | Yes |
| Description | Optional description | No |
Creating a Source File
- Click Add Contingency Source.
- Enter a name and optional description.
- Save. Add contingency lines to the file next.
Copying a Source File
Use Copy to duplicate an entire contingency source file with all its lines. Useful when a new project needs a similar contingency structure to an existing one with minor adjustments.
Deleting a Source File
Deleting a contingency source file also removes all contingency assignments that reference it from any project or resource assignment.
Before deleting a contingency source file, Dash360 checks which projects reference it. Deletion cascades to remove contingency assignments across all affected projects. Review the impact before confirming.
Contingency Lines
Each line in a contingency source file represents a specific risk factor entry.
Contingency Line Fields
| Field | Description | Required |
|---|
| Source | The risk source label (e.g., “Management Reserve”, “Technical”) | Yes |
| Type | The risk type label (e.g., “Budget”, “Schedule”) | Yes |
| Value | The contingency percentage or factor associated with this combination | Yes |
| Description | Optional description of this line | No |
Managing Lines
- Add — Click Add Line within a contingency source file to add a new factor entry.
- Edit — Click a line to update its source, type, value, or description.
- Delete — Remove a line. If this line is currently assigned to resource assignments or work packages, those assignments lose their contingency value.
Assigning to Projects
Contingency source files are assigned to projects in the Code Files tab when editing a project. How contingency is applied — at the work package level, the resource assignment level, or both — is controlled by the project’s registry settings.
