Using Projects WorkCenter
Purpose: Use this document to get a basic understanding of the Projects WorkCenter in ctcLink.
Audience: Capital Projects Admin/Finance Staff.
You must have at least one of these local college managed security roles:
- ZZ Project WorkCenter
If you need assistance with the above security roles, please contact your local college supervisor or IT Admin to request role access.
The Projects WorkCenter is a role-based central navigational component that is designed to help users of the Project Costing application to organize and streamline their workload. It provides a single place to perform a broad range of tasks without leaving the WorkCenter, such as proposal creation, award maintenance, process exception alerts, and/or reconciliation and reporting, resulting in improved efficiency, productivity, and effectiveness. The WorkCenter is a global configuration that can be tailored to individual requirements. It will be delivered with the most common tasks and links that are applicable to most users.
A WorkCenter is divided into a Task area and a Work area. You click on a link to perform the Task in the Work area, without ever leaving the WorkCenter. When you are finished with a Task, you can quickly select the next one, and open it in the Work area. This functionality improves efficiency and effectiveness, and reduces the need to keep navigating through the menu structure to perform your job duties.
The WorkCenter is composed of the following pagelets. Each pagelet is discussed in this Quick Reference Guide.
The pagelets are:
- My Work pagelet - Access to your most commonly-performed tasks, including exceptions and alerts for items requiring your attention.
- Links pagelet - Access your most commonly-used pages. This pagelet is similar to the Favorites menu, but more user-friendly.
- Queries pagelet - Access Query Manager, public queries, private queries, and pivot grids.
- Reports and Processes pagelet - Access reports and processes that you use most often.
Using the Projects WorkCenter
Navigation: Project Costing > Projects WorkCenter
The Projects WorkCenter welcome page displays.
Navigational hints:
- Two side arrows - select to expand/collapse the Task Panel.
- Refresh icon - select to refresh the page to see changes.
- Ellipsis or 3 vertical dots - personalize icon.
- Ten horizontal dots - select and drag up or down to view Task Panel areas.
The My Work pagelet will be pre-configured with links that can assist users in performing day-to-day Capital Projects Staff duties. It will show the statuses and counts for plans or events in error and notification of pending processes.
Users cannot add links to the My Work pagelet, only modify the display options.
- The My Work pagelet includes links to pages that you may want to access frequently. At this time, it includes links divided into these collapsible sections:
- Pre Billing Exceptions
- After you expand each section, you may need to resize your window. You can drag the dotted handle to resize the pagelet, when needed.
- Select the arrowhead to expand the section. This is your collapse and expand button.
- Before you can use any of the My Work links, you must define the required filter values. Under the My Work section, select the Edit Filters link to open the Edit Filters pagelet in the Work Area.
- Select each Configure Link(s) (pencil icon) to open the Configure Filter Values page and input filter parameters such as Business Unit.
Line items in red and require configuration; **Required filter field values not defined. Note '1 of 4' pages requires you to update each Link Label with your Business Unit. Select the next arrow(s) or the View All link to view the next category.
- Enter the appropriate field values and select OK.
Notice the expand/collapse triangle in the bottom right hand of the Filter Values page. Select, hold and expand/collapse window to adjust.
- Repeat the above steps to activate each My Work link displayed in red. The My Work area is ready for use when all filters are activated. Once activated, links will change colors from Red to Blue or Black.
- Links displayed in Blue indicate active links that have items requiring action.
- Links displayed in Black indicate active links, but no items in that link require action.
Note: When changes are made in the Asset Management WorkCenter areas, you will be prompted to refresh the pagelet to see your changes. Click on the Refresh icon in that area.
Links in the WorkCenter take you directly to the pages that you need to perform your job functions. You can click the link to open the page in the Work Area. Or you can click the icon to the left of the link to open the page in another browser.
- Select the ellipsis or vertical three dots and then select Personalize.
- The Define User "Links" Links window displays.
- Available customization:
- Reorder the Link List 'Display Order'.
- Select or Deselect the 'Show Link' boxes.
- Select or Deselect 'Start Group Collapsed'.
- Optional to create your own Link Group by selecting the Plus icon.
- The Links Pagelet Personalization page displays.
- Under the Link Groups section, enter a new Group Label name, i.e. MY LINKS.
- Under the Link List section, select the Define link.
- The Define Link window displays. Select the Select Menu Item link.
- The main 'Navigation' options displays depending upon your security roles/view access.
- Scroll down to view various folders. Select Project Costing and drill into additional folders to find a link to add to your WorkCenter.
- The added menu item name window displays. Select the OK button.
- Select Save and select the 'x' to close out the Links Pagelet Personalization page.
Optional to add and define additional personalized links items by selecting the plus icon.
The new Links 'MY LINKS' group has been added.
The Queries section enables you to add favorite or commonly used Queries to your Projects WorkCenter.
- Select the Reports/Queries tab to view the Queries section.
- Select the ellipsis or vertical three dots and then select Personalize.
- The Define User Query Links window displays.
- Enter your personal Group Label name.
- Available customization:
- Enter or use the lookup tool to add Query Name. Select the plus icon [+] to add additional Queries.
- Optional reorder the Link List 'Display Order'.
- Select or Deselect the 'Show Link' boxes.
- Select or Deselect 'Start Group Collapsed'.
- To create your own Queries Link Group select the Plus icon.
- Optional to select the Override Title/Description checkbox and customize your description.
- Optional configure the display order (if the second query should display before the first, then give the second query a Display Order value lower than the first query), the show link, and starting page options.
- Select the Save button to save changes.
- A message will display to refresh the pagelet to see your changes. Select the OK button.
- Close out the Personalization page by selecting the 'x' in the upper right hand corner to return to the Projects WorkCenter.
Refresh the pagelet to see your changes. The added Query Group and new queries will then be available.
The Reports/Processes section includes access to frequently used reports and processes. The links in this section take you directly to the Run Control page for common reports or processes. Predefined default Reports/Processes displays.
Note: Some of the WorkCenter Links and/or functionality is not setup within ctcLink. Optional to select the Link Group checkbox 'Start Group Collapsed', hide the unused Links by deselecting the 'Show Link' box, and/or reorder them to list the most used Links towards top and less used towards the bottom of the page.
- By selecting one of the selections from the task panel, the report/process opens up in the transaction area.
Similar to the steps how to Customize the Queries Pagelet, optional to Personalize the Report/Processes section on your WorkCenter by creating your own Reporting Group. Select the ellipsis or vertical three dots and then select Personalize. Available customization:
- To create your own Reports/Process Link Group select the Plus icon.
- Enter or use the lookup tool to add Report Name. Select the plus icon [+] to add additional Reports.
- Optional reorder the Link List 'Display Order'.
- Select or Deselect the 'Show Link' boxes.
- Select or Deselect 'Start Group Collapsed'.
- Process complete.
Video Tutorial
The video below demonstrates the process actions described in the steps listed above. This video includes audio and closed captioning. Select the play button to start the video.
Video Tutorial Via Panopto
View the external link to access the Customizing the Projects WorkCenter training session. This link will open in a new tab/window.
