# Resource Types (https://yapl.app/en/docs/user-guides/resources/resource-types) # Resource Types YAPL supports four main resource types, each designed for different tracking needs. Understanding these types helps you organize resources effectively. ## Overview of Types | Type | Description | Tracking Method | | --------------- | ----------------------- | ----------------------- | | **Person** | Human resources (labor) | Time-based (hours/days) | | **Equipment** | Reusable assets | Time-based (hours/days) | | **Materials** | Physical goods | Quantity-based (units) | | **Consumables** | Single-use items | Quantity-based (units) | ## Person (Labor) Person resources represent human labor assigned to tasks. ### Characteristics | Property | Description | | ------------ | ---------------------------- | | Time-based | Allocated by hours or days | | Skillset | Track capabilities and roles | | Availability | Work schedules and capacity | | Cost | Hourly or daily labor rates | ### Examples - Project managers - Engineers and architects - Labor workers - Supervisors - Subcontractors ### Person Fields | Field | Description | Required | | ----------- | ---------------------- | -------- | | Name | Person's name | Yes | | Code | Employee/contractor ID | Optional | | Hourly Rate | Labor cost per hour | Optional | | Daily Rate | Labor cost per day | Optional | | Status | Active/Inactive | Yes | | Description | Role and skills | Optional | ### Tracking Labor Person resources are tracked by: - **Availability** - Work schedule and capacity - **Utilization** - Hours assigned vs. available - **Cost** - Labor rate multiplied by time - **Skills** - Matching capabilities to tasks ## Equipment Equipment represents reusable assets that are allocated by time. ### Characteristics | Property | Description | | ----------- | ------------------------------- | | Reusable | Used repeatedly across projects | | Time-based | Allocated by hours or days | | Schedulable | Can detect conflicts | | Depreciable | Track value over time | ### Examples - Heavy machinery (excavators, cranes, bulldozers) - Vehicles (trucks, vans, forklifts) - Tools (power tools, scaffolding) - Technology (computers, tablets, surveying equipment) ### Equipment Fields | Field | Description | Required | | ----------- | -------------------- | -------- | | Name | Equipment identifier | Yes | | Code | Unique code | Optional | | Hourly Rate | Cost per hour | Optional | | Daily Rate | Cost per day | Optional | | Status | Active/Inactive | Yes | | Description | Details and notes | Optional | ### Tracking Equipment Equipment is tracked by: - **Availability** - When equipment is free vs. allocated - **Utilization** - Hours/days used vs. available - **Cost** - Rate multiplied by allocation time - **Location** - Where equipment is assigned ## Materials Materials represent physical goods consumed or incorporated into projects. ### Characteristics | Property | Description | | -------------- | ----------------------- | | Quantity-based | Tracked by units | | Consumable | Used up during projects | | Inventory | Track stock levels | | Costed | Price per unit | ### Examples - Materials (concrete, steel, lumber) - Electrical supplies (wiring, fixtures) - Plumbing materials (pipes, fittings) - Finishing materials (paint, flooring) ### Material Fields | Field | Description | Required | | ----------- | ------------------- | -------- | | Name | Material name | Yes | | Code | SKU or product code | Optional | | Unit | Measurement unit | Yes | | Unit Cost | Price per unit | Optional | | Status | Active/Inactive | Yes | | Description | Specifications | Optional | ### Measurement Units Common units for materials: - **Volume**: cubic meters, cubic yards, gallons, liters - **Weight**: kilograms, pounds, tons - **Length**: meters, feet, linear feet - **Area**: square meters, square feet - **Count**: pieces, units, each ### Tracking Materials Materials are tracked by: - **Quantity** - Units allocated to tasks - **Cost** - Unit price multiplied by quantity - **Inventory** - Available stock levels - **Usage** - Planned vs. actual consumption ## Consumables Consumables are single-use items that support project execution. ### Characteristics | Property | Description | | ------------- | --------------------------------- | | Single-use | Not returned after use | | Supporting | Enable work but not incorporated | | Replenishable | Regularly restocked | | Lower value | Typically less expensive per unit | ### Examples - Safety equipment (gloves, masks, vests) - Fuel and lubricants - Cleaning supplies - Office supplies - Disposable tools (blades, bits) ### Consumable Fields | Field | Description | Required | | ----------- | ------------------- | -------- | | Name | Consumable name | Yes | | Code | Product code | Optional | | Unit | Package/measurement | Yes | | Unit Cost | Price per unit | Optional | | Status | Active/Inactive | Yes | | Description | Details | Optional | ### Tracking Consumables Consumables are tracked by: - **Usage Rate** - Consumption over time - **Reorder Level** - When to restock - **Cost** - Ongoing expense tracking - **Allocation** - Assignment to tasks/projects ## Choosing the Right Type ### Decision Guide | If the resource... | Use Type | | --------------------------------- | ------------------- | | Is a human worker/laborer | Person | | Is reused across projects | Equipment | | Is measured by time allocation | Person or Equipment | | Is incorporated into deliverables | Materials | | Is tracked by quantity units | Materials | | Is single-use and supporting | Consumables | | Is regularly replenished | Consumables | ### Examples by Type | Resource | Type | Reason | | -------------- | ----------- | -------------------------- | | Site Manager | Person | Human labor, time-based | | Electrician | Person | Human labor, skilled trade | | Excavator | Equipment | Reused, time-based | | Concrete | Materials | Quantity, incorporated | | Diesel fuel | Consumables | Single-use, supporting | | Steel beams | Materials | Quantity, incorporated | | Safety helmets | Consumables | Supporting, replaced | | Scaffolding | Equipment | Reused, time-based | ## Type-Specific Features ### Person Features - Work schedule management - Availability tracking - Skill matching - Labor cost calculation - Utilization reports ### Equipment Features - Calendar-based scheduling - Conflict detection - Maintenance tracking (future) - Depreciation calculation (future) ### Material Features - Inventory management - Quantity tracking - Waste calculation - Supplier information (future) ### Consumable Features - Usage rate tracking - Reorder notifications (future) - Bulk allocation - Cost allocation ## Converting Between Types Resources cannot be converted between types after creation. If you need to change a resource's type: 1. Create a new resource with correct type 2. Update task assignments 3. Deactivate the old resource Choose resource types carefully during creation. Type conversion requires creating a new resource. ## Best Practices ### Consistent Classification - Establish type guidelines for your organization - Document classification rules - Train team on proper categorization ### Naming Conventions By type: - **Equipment**: Include model/serial (e.g., "Excavator CAT-320-01") - **Materials**: Include specifications (e.g., "Concrete Mix 4000PSI") - **Consumables**: Include size/type (e.g., "Safety Gloves - Large") ### Cost Tracking - Set rates for all equipment - Update material costs regularly - Track consumable expenses ## Related Topics - [Creating Resources](/docs/user-guides/resources/creating-resources) - Add new resources - [Resource Groups](/docs/user-guides/resources/resource-groups) - Organize resources - [Assigning Resources](/docs/user-guides/resources/assigning-resources) - Allocate to tasks