Comparing two tables with time data - forecast versus actuals

[NP2020]

Hello -

I am looking for some assistance with visualising some timesheet data.

I am trying to visualise the hours planned for activities on our project against what was actually booked. I have created some dummy data to demonstrate what I am looking to acheive.

I have two tables, one containing a plan of activities, assigned to resources, with a time allocated to the activity on a series of dates.

Date	Staff Number	Name	Activity	Forecast Hours	Rate	Forecast Cost
01/02/2021	1	Luke	Use force	5	50	250
01/02/2021	1	Luke	Lightsabre practice	3	50	150
01/02/2021	2	Han	Shoot First	1	65	65
01/02/2021	2	Han	Rescue Princess	7	65	455
02/02/2021	1	Luke	Use force	5	50	250
02/02/2021	1	Luke	Lightsabre practice	3	50	150
02/02/2021	2	Han	Avoid Jabba	8	65	520
03/02/2021	2	Han	Avoid Jabba	8	65	520
04/02/2021	1	Luke	Use force	5	50	250
04/02/2021	1	Luke	Lightsabre practice	3	50	150
04/02/2021	2	Han	Shoot First	2	65	130
04/02/2021	2	Han	Avoid Jabba	6	65	390
05/02/2021	1	Luke	Use force	8	50	400
05/02/2021	2	Han	Rescue Princess	3	65	195
05/02/2021	2	Han	Avoid Jabba	5	65	325

The other table is the "actuals", where resources have recorded in our timesheet system what activities they have worked on, for how long. There are no restrictions as to what activities they can record in the system, even if they are not forecasted to do so (which is part of the reason I am looking to visualise this data). Resources can also book more or less hours than required. An example of the actuals data is below:

Date	Staff Number	Name	Activity	Actual Hours	Rate	Actual Cost
01/02/2021	1	Luke	Use force	4	50	200
01/02/2021	1	Luke	Lightsabre practice	2	50	100
01/02/2021	2	Han	Shoot First	1	65	65
01/02/2021	2	Han	Rescue Princess	6	65	390
02/02/2021	1	Luke	Avoid Jabba	6	50	300
02/02/2021	1	Luke	Lightsabre practice	2	50	100
02/02/2021	2	Han	Avoid Jabba	7	65	455
03/02/2021	2	Han	Avoid Jabba	9	65	585
04/02/2021	1	Luke	Use force	5	50	250
04/02/2021	1	Luke	Lightsabre practice	3	50	150
04/02/2021	2	Han	Shoot First	2	65	130
04/02/2021	2	Han	Avoid Jabba	6	65	390
05/02/2021	3	Chewbacca	Fix Falcon	8	40	320
05/02/2021	1	Luke	Use force	8	50	400
05/02/2021	2	Han	Avoid Jabba	5	65	325

I have seen on other posts on similar themes that I need an independent date table, which I have created. I have created relationships between the three tables against the date field, shown below:

When I visualise the data, it almost works - the actual hours are correct, but the forecast hours are not correct.

The total number of hours forecast for the time period is correct, but each line seems to replicate the forecast for the day. Also, I have tried to show how tasks that are not in the forecast are shown, e.g. Chewbacca - Fix the Falcon is not in the forecast table, but shows hours in the forecast column.

I hope I have explained my issue. I am new(ish) to PowerBI, so would be extremely grateful for any guidance or suggestions.

Kind regards

Neil

[NP2020]

Thank you @Ashish_Mathur  for your reply.

I have tried to create a Many to One relationship, but the system won't let me, saying "The cardinality you selected isn't valid for this relationship."

Is there anything you can see that I am doing incorrect?

Kind regards,

Neil

[Ashish_Mathur]

Hi,

I'll need to see your PB file.  Share the download link.

[NP2020]

Hi @Ashish_Mathur,

Here is a link to the PBIX file 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/15jITA_CuhBDJw_PkCBSP97bZBYiTXm9N/view?usp=sharing

Kind regards,

Neil

[Ashish_Mathur]

Hi,

Ensure that your staff number in both the Actual and Forecast table match with the staff number in the staff table.  Click on Refresh All.

Download the PBI file from here.

Hope this helps.

[NP2020]

Thanks @Ashish_Mathur , I have been able to download and review the PBI. I can see what you have done, but am unable to replicate the same relationships in my own PBI file.

Is there a specific method for creating this type of relationship?

Also, when I select Many to One, the Cross Filter Direction drop down has two versions for Single - Dates filters forecast and Forecast filters Dates. Does this make a difference?

Kind regards,

Neil

[Ashish_Mathur · Accepted solution]

Hi,

In the Dates Table there are blanks appearing in the Date column.  Remove those blanks rows.

[NP2020]

Hi @Ashish_Mathur , that's great, thank you for all of your help.

Kind regards,

Neil

[Ashish_Mathur]

You are welcome.

[Ashish_Mathur]

Hi,

1. The relationship between the Forecast/Actual Table and the Dates table should me Many to One with the cardinality set to Single
2. Just as you have created a Dates table, create 2 additional tables Name and Activity - each table should only ontain unique entries with no blanks in each table.  Create a relationship from the Name/Activity columns of Forecast/Actual tables to the individual tables of Name and Activity
3. To your visual drag Dates, Name and Activity from the Calendar and the 2 indiviaul tables that you created
4. Now write your measures and drag them to your table.