Oracle is continually focused on advancing the features and functionality of its Cloud Applications software to serve its users better. The latest set of updates to Oracle Cloud Project Management was unveiled and encompasses a wide range of enhancements designed to improve various aspects of project management. Key areas of improvement include Billing, Cost Management, Planning, Resource Management, Program Management, and Grant Management.

This Quarterly Release builds upon the enhancements introduced in version 24D and introduces several new features and improvements tailored to meet the needs of Oracle Cloud PPM (Project Portfolio Management) customers. Users can expect more efficient billing processes, enhanced tools for tracking and managing costs, and optimized planning capabilities.

Additionally, the updates aim to provide greater control over resource allocation and program oversight while also streamlining grant management functions. These enhancements are part of Oracle’s ongoing commitment to deliver a robust and user-friendly project management experience in the cloud.

In Billing and Revenue Management

Oracle has made significant improvements in recent quarterly releases.

Advanced Project Contract Prepayment Billing:

Contract Administrators can now designate a project contract as eligible for prepayment based on a prepayment transaction type attribute in the contract header. This enhancement allows the related item to be transferred to Receivables, enabling a prepayment invoice request. Credit memos associated with prepayment invoices will be processed using the credit memo type tied to the prepayment transaction.

This functionality allows Billing Specialists to view and manage project contract prepayments more holistically and efficiently. Additionally, Prepayment Billing Events can now be loaded via FBDI.

Automatic Adjustment of Total Satisfaction Percentage in Revenue Management for Contract Line Amount Amendments:

This feature automates the reversal and rebooking of the inception-to-date satisfaction percentage in Revenue Management whenever amendments are made to project contract line amounts in Enterprise Contracts. The primary benefit of this update is improved efficiency in synchronizing revenue between Project Billing and Revenue Management.

Revenue Adjustments Driven by Invoice Changes for an As-Billed Revenue Plan:

Transactions can now be automatically flagged for revenue adjustment processing when revenue has previously been recognized on an as-billed basis for canceled or credited invoices accepted in Receivables. Revenue reversal distributions and accounting entries will be generated the next time revenue is recognized for the applicable contract.

This solution significantly enhances the efficiency and timeliness of revenue reporting by eliminating the need for manual adjustments to as-billed revenue when invoices are canceled (either through creating negative revenue events or adjusting project cost or billing events linked to the canceled invoice). Notably, this solution does not apply to intercompany revenue adjustments.

Improved Contract Validation Message During Retroactive Amendments:

If an amendment with an effective date prior to today is entered for a project contract and is validated or submitted for approval, the contract administrator will receive a warning that the amendment could lead to credit memos or revenue reversals. If this outcome is undesirable, the effective date for the amendment should be set to today’s date.

In Cost Management and Control

Distributing Payroll Costs to Projects Using Payroll Costing Configuration:

Grants Management customers can allocate payroll costs to projects using costing configuration values. This solution enables the application of a set of precedence-based rules to appropriately assign each payroll cost to the relevant project and grant, if applicable. The new labor schedule type, guided by payroll costing business rules, allows for the seamless distribution of the necessary projects.  

In Planning, Scheduling, and Forecasting

Planning and Reporting Using a Subset of Resource Classes (Customer Submitted Idea):

Projects can now simplify their planning and billing structures by disabling certain resource classes—such as Labor, Equipment, or Material Items—when these resources are not being used. If any transactions occur against the disabled resource classes, they will be classified under the Financial Resource class. This feature allows for a more efficient and tailored allocation of resources specific to each business or project need.

Project Plan Details Drill Down Using Deep Links (Customer Submitted Idea):

A deep link is a URL that enables direct access to a page without having to navigate through the application menu. For instance, project managers and team members can now easily drill down from an Oracle Transactional Business Intelligence report to detailed information on the Manage Project Plan page. This seamless navigation enhances efficiency by allowing project team members to quickly access application interfaces from their reports, analyses, or any custom solutions, leading to a more user-friendly experience.

Revenue Planning in the Financial Plan (Customer Submitted Idea):

Project administrators and managers can now incorporate cost and revenue planning within the Financial Project Plan, providing an early insight into potential margins. This new functionality can be activated by updating the Project Plan Options to include revenue. Furthermore, users can report on and conduct financial analyses based on revenue attributes and measures using the Project Control – Financial Project Plans Real-Time subject in Oracle Transaction Business Intelligence.

In Program Management and Reporting

Program-Related Descriptive Flexfields for Reporting Using OTBI:

Program managers can now utilize program-related descriptive flexfields directly in Oracle Transactional Business Intelligence (OTBI) to create comprehensive reports on their programs. This new functionality significantly enhances their reporting capabilities and provides deeper insights into program performance. With this tool, program managers can:

• Customize reports to include specific attributes relevant to their programs.
• Analyze detailed data to identify trends, potential issues, and opportunities for optimization.
• Use data-driven insights to inform strategic planning and decision-making at the program level.

Project Program Analysis and Action Plan Generation:

In an ever-evolving effort to incorporate more AI capabilities within Cloud Project Portfolio Management (PPM), Oracle now enables program managers to drive success by leveraging AI-enabled program analysis and actionable plans.

Oracle AI can uncover program-specific trends and generate actionable recommendations, empowering data-driven decision-making and optimizing program execution. The AI analyzes key performance metrics to provide a concise overview of the program’s current state and identifies up to five critical projects requiring immediate attention in just seconds—a process typically taking hours. As a result, program managers can focus more on overall program management, with AI support to determine which projects need swift and decisive action.

In Resource Management

Variable Weekly Resource Schedules for Project Resource Requests:

To continually enhance the functionality of Project Resource Management, Oracle has introduced the option to create Variable Weekly Schedules. This new feature allows project managers and resource managers to define the required hours for each specific week within a designated date range for a given resource.

During the resource search, the variable schedule ensures that the availability of all potential candidates aligns with the specified hours. This functionality promotes more efficient and accurate staffing, as assignments can now be tailored to variable weekly hours instead of defaulting to the standard resource calendar for all resources.

In Conclusion

The 25A Quarterly Update for Oracle Cloud PPM introduces a range of enhancements, many driven by customer feedback. These improvements are designed to streamline processes, enhance user experience, and provide valuable tools for efficient project management.

If you belong to a project-centric organization, it’s important to understand how these updates can impact your operations and improve your project outcomes. We encourage you to connect with your Project Partners consultant to discuss these new features in detail and explore how they can be tailored to meet the specific needs of your organization. Taking advantage of these updates could significantly boost your project efficiencies and lead to more successful results.