Quote estimation matrix

The quote estimation matrix lets you break a single client-facing deliverable down into the multiple roles or people who'll actually deliver it — assigning each their planned hours and cost — without cluttering the quote you send to your client. It's the quoting tool to reach for whenever more than one person contributes to a deliverable, so you can estimate cost and margin accurately while keeping the client-facing quote line simple and high-level.

This article will walk you through how to enable and use the quote estimation matrix.

1. What is the quote estimation matrix?

The quote estimation matrix in the quote modify view lets you quickly and conveniently add all the necessary collaborators for each deliverable where multiple roles or doers will deliver the work, specify their planned hours, and manage the associated costs.

For example, let's say you're a digital agency quoting a "New landing page development" project. The project will involve multiple roles:

• Project Manager (e.g., 10 hours)
• UI/UX Designer (e.g., 25 hours)
• Developer (e.g., 35 hours)
• Copywriter (e.g., 20 hours)

You can add a single deliverable to your quote and then use the estimation matrix view to add the necessary roles, users, and planned hours for each.

For deliverables with just a single provider, you don't need to use the estimation matrix — you can select the in-house role/user or outsourced supplier directly on the quote line instead. See Creating a quote.

2. Enabling the quote estimation matrix

The quote estimation matrix must be enabled on the site by a site administrator:

1. First, go to Settings > Sales and finance > General and enable the Assign users on sales document lines checkbox. Without this setting, the checkbox for enabling the quote estimation matrix won't be available on your site.
   
2. Then, go to Settings > Sales and finance > Quotes and enable the Use quote matrix checkbox.
   

3. Using the quote estimation matrix

Once the quote estimation matrix is enabled on your site, you can access the matrix view via the Estimate in matrix view button in the quote modify view. The button becomes clickable once you add at least one line item to the quote.

3.1. Adding a role or user to a deliverable

To add a role or user to a deliverable via the quote estimation matrix:

1. Click the Add a provider to start estimating button and select the necessary role or user.
2. Click the Assign a role or user button to add more roles and users. You can add as many as needed.

To modify an already added role or user, click on it and select a different role or user.

3.2. Setting the planned hours for each role or user

To specify the planned hours for each role or user you've added in the quote estimation matrix:

1. Click in the corresponding grid cell and enter the necessary amount. You can enter the planned amount in hours or days, but it will always recalculate days to hours, assuming that 1 day equals 8 hours.
2. Press the Tab key after you've entered the quantity for a provider to quickly move to the quantity field for the next provider. When ready, click Save.

3.3. Displaying quote line descriptions

To display quote line descriptions in the quote estimation matrix, click the settings icon and enable the Display quote line descriptions checkbox. Once enabled, each deliverable with a description provided will show the beginning part of the description. Hover over the deliverable to see the full description.

This checkbox is disabled by default to keep the estimation matrix grid uncluttered, but you can enable it whenever needed.

4. Viewing and modifying deliverables with multiple providers

The Cost and provider info column for deliverables with multiple providers assigned via the estimation matrix will show the number of linked providers. Hover to see the specific roles and users.

The quantity, unit price, and providers for these deliverables can be modified only in the matrix view — not directly on the quote line.

5. Frequently asked questions (FAQ)