FAQ: Managing the Timeline Library

Published on April 23, 2026 QuoteX

FAQ: Managing the Timeline Library

The Timeline Library in QuoteX helps you create and manage reusable timeline templates for project planning. Templates can be configured with phases, resources, effort, costs, and contract information to provide a consistent framework for project planning and estimation.

Quick overview: A Timeline Library template defines the project periods, phases, resources, effort allocation, contract type, and cost behavior used when planning a project.

Timeline Library Basics

1. What is the Timeline Library?

The Timeline Library is a tool for creating and managing timeline templates for projects.

These templates can be customized with phases, resources, and cost structures, providing a consistent framework for project planning.

2. How do I add a new timeline template to the Timeline Library?

To create a new timeline template:

Go to the Timeline Library tab and select + New Timeline Library.
Enter a Name.
Select the Currency.
Select the Frequency: Weekly, Monthly, Quarterly, or Yearly.
Set the Initial Number of Periods.
Select the Contract Type: T&M or Fixed Fee.
Select the Status: Draft, Active, or Archive.
Decide whether Cost and/or T&E should impact ASM calculations.
Provide a brief Description.
Click Save.

Tip: Configure the timeline's frequency, periods, contract type, and ASM-related cost settings when creating the template so the timeline reflects the intended project planning structure.

Timeline Periods and Phases

3. What is the Initial Number of Periods used for?

The Initial Number of Periods specifies the number of time periods the timeline will cover initially.

Depending on the selected frequency, a period can represent a week, month, quarter, or year.

4. How can I add phases to a timeline template?

After creating a timeline, click the cells under each time period to set the required phases.

Assign a phase to individual cells under the required time periods.
If consecutive cells are assigned the same phase, they are merged to represent the phase span.
You can also select multiple cells at once and assign the same phase.

Tip: Use consecutive periods for the same phase when you want QuoteX to represent that phase as a continuous span across the timeline.

Resources and Effort

5. How do I add resources to a timeline?

Scroll to the Total Per Week section and click an empty cell.

Begin typing the role name. QuoteX will display the available roles from your Rate Cards.

Select the required role and repeat the process to add additional roles to the timeline.

6. Can I assign resource effort evenly across the timeline?

Yes. Click the % icon next to a role to set a consistent effort percentage across the timeline.

For example, assigning 50% will distribute the effort proportionally across all time periods.

Important: Do not exceed the maximum allocation limit of 250. Exceeding this limit will cause an error.

7. How can I set specific effort values per role for each phase?

Click directly in each cell under the required phase and enter the desired effort.

You can customize effort levels independently for different phases.

Tip: You can copy and paste hours across cells in the same way you would in a spreadsheet.

8. Is there a way to rearrange roles within a timeline?

Yes. Simply drag and drop roles to reorder them within the timeline.

T&E and Other Costs

9. How do I add T&E and Other Costs to a timeline?

QuoteX provides separate areas for entering T&E and Other Costs.

Cost Type	How to Add
T&E	Go to the T&E tab above the timeline and enter costs for each resource under the appropriate time period.
Other Costs	Switch to the Other Costs tab, place your cursor in the required cell, press the Space Bar to open the list of costs, and enter the amounts in the relevant time-period cells.

10. What happens if T&E and Other Costs are included in ASM calculations?

When enabled, both Travel and Expense (T&E) and Other Costs impact the ASM calculations.

These amounts are reflected under the Timeline Summary on the Details tab.

Quick Reference

Feature	Purpose
Frequency	Defines whether timeline periods are Weekly, Monthly, Quarterly, or Yearly.
Initial Number of Periods	Defines how many periods the timeline initially covers.
Contract Type	Defines whether the timeline uses T&M or Fixed Fee.
Phases	Organize project work across the timeline.
Resources	Define the roles involved in the timeline using roles from Rate Cards.
% Allocation	Distributes consistent effort proportionally across time periods.
T&E / Other Costs	Captures additional project costs by time period.
ASM Impact	Allows Cost and/or T&E to be included in ASM calculations.

Key takeaway: The Timeline Library provides a reusable framework for defining project periods, phases, resources, effort, contract type, and costs. Once configured, these timeline templates provide a consistent starting point for project planning.

Knowledge Article Number: KA-00040