---
title: "Effort Modes."
canonical: "https://support.appfire.com/space/DLP/297766742/Effort%20Modes."
format: markdown
---
| **Contents:**<br>> Macro (toc) |
| --- |

## About the effort modes

Effort modes in BigPicture determine the source of data used to calculate resource [workload distribution](https://appfire.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/DLP/pages/297046379). They let you estimate tasks and track the time your team members spend on them in three different ways:

- [Original estimate mode](https://appfire.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/DLP/pages/298225902): it shows the planned workload versus the resource capacity.
- [Remaining Estimate mode](https://appfire.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/DLP/pages/297768632): it shows resource workload history (Spent time) and the remaining workload versus the resource capacity.
- [Story Points mode](https://appfire.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/DLP/pages/298127016): it shows the planned workload versus the resource capacity expressed in story points.

The effort mode can be expressed in the following units:

- Hours
- Man-days
- Percent
- Story points

Note that not all units are available in every effort mode.

| **Effort mode** | **Unit** |
| --- | --- |
| Hours | Man-days | Percent | Story points |
| Original Estimate | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Remaining Estimate | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Story Points | No | No | Yes | Yes |

## Access the effort modes and units

You can find the effort mode and unit from the dropdown menu under the button with the “speedometer” icon on it.

![Effort modes and units dropdown menu.](media://c1c0818e-7d31-4ef7-98e6-3fc8d684a511)