Once resource assignments have been published to Altus and team members have recorded time against those assignments through Altus Timesheets, approved timesheet Actuals can be imported back into the linked Microsoft Project Plan (MPP).

This allows Project Managers and Schedule Owners to update progress within Microsoft Project using approved timesheet information while reducing duplicate data entry between systems.

Only time recorded within Approved timesheets can be imported.

To allow resources to submit time against project tasks, Altus resources must first be correctly mapped to Microsoft Project assignments.

Benefits of Importing Approved Actuals

Importing approved Actuals into Microsoft Project helps:

• Keep schedules aligned with approved effort.
• Reduce duplicate data entry.
• Update project progress using approved timesheet information.
• Improve Remaining Work calculations.
• Support more accurate forecasting.
• Ensure completed work contributes appropriately to overall schedule progress.
• Improve visibility of project status and forecast effort requirements.

Understand Remaining Work Calculations

When approved timesheet information is imported into Microsoft Project, Altus for Project does more than simply transfer Actual Work values from submitted timesheets.

The import process also considers project progress already recorded within the Microsoft Project schedule when calculating Remaining Work and overall project progress. 

This helps ensure:

• Remaining Work reflects the current project position.
• Project progress remains accurate.
• Forecasting is based on the complete delivery picture.
• Previously completed work continues to contribute to project calculations. 

For example, if completed work already exists within the schedule before the timesheet import occurs, that information continues to contribute to Remaining Work and project progress calculations after the import. 

Important:
Imported timesheet Actuals are only one component of overall project progress.

Existing completed work already recorded in the Microsoft Project schedule is also considered when Remaining Work values are calculated.

Import Approved Timesheet Actuals

1. Open the linked Microsoft Project Plan (MPP).
2. Open the Altus ribbon.
3. Select Import Timesheets.

Note:
If no approved timesheets are available for import, a message will display indicating that there are no timesheets available to import.

1. If any timesheet validation issues are detected, an error screen will be displayed.

Available options include:

Download Tasks List (CSV)

Select this option to download a CSV file containing all identified issues. These errors can then be investigated and resolved outside of the import process.

Continue

Select Continue to proceed with the import process despite the warnings.

Cancel

Select Cancel to stop the import process.

1. If no blocking issues exist, the Apply Timesheet Effort to Schedule window opens.

Timesheet values are grouped by:

• Timesheet Period
• Resource

All available resource timesheets are selected by default.

Review the timesheet values displayed within the window.

Clear the checkbox beside any resource whose Actual values you do not want to import.

Select Apply.

The selected Actual Work values will be imported into the Microsoft Project schedule.

What Happens During an Actuals Import

When approved timesheet information is imported into the linked Microsoft Project Plan:

1. Approved Actual Work values are imported into the schedule.
2. Existing project progress is reviewed.
3. Completed work already recorded within the schedule is considered.
4. Remaining Work calculations are updated.
5. Project progress information is refreshed.

This helps ensure that Remaining Work and forecast values accurately reflect the current state of the project rather than relying solely on newly imported timesheet information. 

Review the Imported Values

After the import process completes:

• Review the imported values within Microsoft Project.
• Review Actual Work.
• Review Remaining Work.
• Review Project Percentage Complete.
• Review forecast effort and project progress.

If you are not satisfied with the imported information:

• Do not save the MPP file.
• Undo the changes.
• Re-run the import process after resolving the underlying issue.

Tip:
Review Remaining Work, Project Percentage Complete, and forecast information before publishing schedule updates back to Altus. This helps confirm that project progress reflects both approved timesheet effort and existing completed work within the schedule. [altus.pro]

Save and Publish Your Schedule

Importing Actuals updates the local MPP file only.

To permanently retain the imported values:

1. Save the Microsoft Project Plan.
2. Connect the project to Altus.
3. Publish the schedule.

Until the schedule is saved and published, imported Actuals remain local to the MPP file.

Re-Import Actuals

You can run the import process multiple times if required.

This is particularly useful when:

• Resolving timesheet errors.
• Validating imported information.
• Updating schedules after additional timesheets are approved.
• Correcting imported Actual values.

If imported Actual values are modified within Microsoft Project, the import process can identify the differences and allow approved timesheet information to be imported again.

Key Considerations

• Only Approved timesheets can be imported.
• The Microsoft Project Plan must already be linked to Altus.
• Remaining Work calculations consider both imported Actuals and existing completed work already recorded within the schedule. 
• Imported Actuals should be reviewed before publishing updated schedules.
• Schedule owners remain responsible for validating project progress after importing Actuals.
• Forecasts and Remaining Work may change after importing approved timesheet information. 
• Imported Actuals may affect project progress, forecast effort, and future schedule reporting.
• The MPP file must be saved to permanently retain imported values.

Tips

• Import Actuals regularly to keep schedules aligned with approved effort.
• Review imported values before publishing schedule updates.
• Validate Remaining Work calculations after importing Actuals.
• Review Project Percentage Complete, Remaining Work, and forecast values before republishing schedules.
• Ensure imported Actuals align with approved timesheet information.
• Reconnect and publish the schedule after major progress updates.
• Confirm resource mappings are correct before importing timesheets.

Read: Altus for Microsoft Project – End User Guide

Related Articles

• Publish Microsoft Project Cost Information to Altus Financials
• Integrate a Microsoft Project Plan (MPP) in the Altus app
• Track task progress and variance in the schedule
• How Altus Synchronises Calendars, Working Time and Resource Rates with Microsoft Project