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 line items; each line represents a named risk factor (Source × Type combination) and its associated value. Projects are assigned a contingency source file in Project Settings, and those line items drive what appears in the Risk Factors sections of the Budget Form.
The label “Contingency” throughout Dash360 is configurable via the ContingencyLabel registry setting. On some installations this feature may be labeled differently (e.g., “Risk Factor”). All page titles and button labels reflect the configured label.
Permissions
Administrator role required.
Contingency Source File List
The Contingency Source page displays all source files in a list. Each row shows:
| Column | Description |
|---|
| Name | The source file name |
| Description | Optional description |
| Project(s) | Projects using this file (with Shared/Locked indicators) |
| [Label] Items | Link to open the Contingency Items panel for this file |
| Actions | History, Copy, Edit, Delete buttons |
Status Indicators
| Indicator | Meaning |
|---|
| Locked icon | The file is used by a project with locked cost classes. Edit and Delete are disabled; the Add Item button in the Items panel is hidden. |
| Shared icon | The file is assigned to multiple projects. Edit, Delete, and Add Item are disabled. |
Contingency Source File Fields
| Field | Description | Required |
|---|
| Name | Unique name for the contingency source file (system-wide) | Yes |
| Description | Optional description | No |
Creating a Source File
- Click Add a New [Label] Source.
- Enter a Name and optional Description.
- Click Save & Close or Save & Add Another.
- Add contingency line items next by clicking the [Label] Items link on the new file’s row.
Editing a Source File
Click the Edit icon on any source file row. The modal opens pre-filled. You can update the name and description.
Copying a Source File
Click the Copy (process) icon on any row. Enter a name for the new file and click Copy. The copy includes all contingency line items from the original file.
Deleting a Source File
Click the Delete icon on any row. Before deletion proceeds, Dash360 checks which projects reference this file. A confirmation dialog lists the affected projects and record counts before you confirm.
Deleting a contingency source file also deletes all contingency assignments that reference it across all affected projects. All risk factor values entered on Budget Form resource assignments using this file will be cleared. Review the impact list carefully before confirming.
Contingency Items Panel
Click the [Label] Items link on any source file row to expand the Contingency Items panel below the list. This panel shows all line items defined in that source file.
Items Panel Columns
| Column | Description |
|---|
| Value | The contingency factor value (decimal) |
| Description | The item description |
| Source | The risk source label |
| Type | The risk type label |
| Project(s) | Projects using this source file |
| Edit / Delete | Action buttons (hidden when file is locked or shared) |
The Add Item button in the panel is hidden when the source file is locked (used by a project with locked cost classes) or shared across multiple projects.
Contingency Line Item Fields
| Field | Description | Required |
|---|
| Source | The risk source label (e.g., “Management Reserve”, “Technical”). Free-text. Cannot be changed after the item is created. | Yes |
| Type | The risk type label (e.g., “Budget”, “Schedule”). Free-text. Cannot be changed after the item is created. | Yes |
| Value | The contingency factor value. Must be a decimal number. | Yes |
| Description | A description for this contingency factor | Yes |
The Source and Type fields are permanently locked after a line item is saved. They are disabled in the Edit modal and cannot be changed. The Source + Type combination forms the identity used in contingency assignments across all projects; changing them would corrupt existing assignment data. If you need a different Source or Type, add a new item and delete the old one (after reviewing the impact).
Adding a Contingency Line Item
- Click the [Label] Items link on a source file row to open the panel.
- Click Add [Label] Item.
- Enter the Source, Type, Value, and Description.
- Click Save & Close or Save & Add Another.
Editing a Contingency Line Item
Click the Edit icon on any item row. The edit modal opens with Source and Type pre-filled but disabled (read-only). Only Value and Description can be updated.
Before saving, if this item is already in use by any project’s contingency assignments, a confirmation dialog shows the affected projects and record counts. Click Save Item to proceed or Cancel to abort.
Deleting a Contingency Line Item
Click the Delete icon on any item row. A confirmation dialog shows which projects have contingency assignments referencing this item. Click Delete Item to confirm.
Deletion sets the contingency value to 0 and clears the description on all affected contingency assignments across the associated projects.
History Tracking
When history tracking is enabled (controlled by the EnableHistoryTracking registry setting), a History icon appears on each source file row. Click it to see a full audit trail of all changes to the source file and its line items; with timestamps and the user who made each change.
Assigning to Projects
Creating a contingency source file here makes it available globally. To assign it to a specific project, configure the project’s Contingency Source setting in the Project Settings. The registry settings on the project control whether contingency is applied at the work package level, the resource assignment level, or both.
Impact on the Rest of the System
| Change | Downstream Effect |
|---|
| Add a source file | Becomes available to assign to projects in Project Settings |
| Add a line item | New factor becomes available in the Risk Factors section of the Budget Form for projects using this source |
| Edit a line item’s value or description | All existing contingency assignments using this item are updated to the new value/description |
| Delete a line item | Contingency value is set to 0 and description cleared on all existing contingency assignments using this item |
| Delete a source file | All contingency assignments across all projects using this file are removed |
