Project cost management

Cost breakdown structure guide for 2026: plan and control project costs
Cost breakdown structure is one of the most reliable ways to bring clarity to project finances. By mapping every cost category — from labor and materials to equipment...

Soft costs and how to plan for them
When planning a construction project, it’s easy to overlook costs that you can’t directly see or touch. Your mind might tend to gravitate toward the costs of...

Time cost: what it is and how it affects projects
“Time is money.” You’ve likely heard this dusty platitude on countless occasions. And if you’re like most people, you probably take it for granted. Slowly...
Estimate at Completion (EAC) and Its Use in Project Tracking
The beginning of a project is always surrounded by expectations, and many ideas seem perfect when they’re still on paper. Planning every detail, setting goals, and...

Analogous estimating explained for 2026 project planning
Estimating a new project isn’t always straightforward. Sometimes you have a clear scope and detailed requirements, and sometimes all you have is a rough idea of what...

How order of magnitude can provide an early Idea of cost
Cost — it’s probably something you don’t look forward to bringing up with your stakeholders, but it’s a crucial discussion if you want to get your project...
Budgeted Cost of Work Performed (BCWP) and its effects on analysis
Have you ever accidentally gone over budget at the grocery store? You’re browsing, pick up a few extra items, and realize once you reach the checkout line that you...

Project management cost estimation explained for confident budgeting
Project budgets rarely go off track because teams don’t work hard enough. More often, it happens because the initial cost estimate wasn’t clear, realistic, or...

Fast and simple cost comparison template
A cost comparison template helps you analyze different options side by side and maximize your budget. Not only does it save you time and money, but it can also boost...

All-in-one budget proposal template
Let’s face it — new business projects can require a lot of buy-in and resources. Persuading relevant stakeholders to invest in a new project isn’t easy — and...

Should you be using an Excel spreadsheet for business expenses?
Tracking business expenses in a spreadsheet can do wonders for your financial visibility — especially if you don’t have an in-house accounting team or a ready-made...

Estimate templates: the simple way to create job estimates
Estimating costs isn’t always the glamorous part of a job. However, preparing estimates is essential to successfully landing projects and completing them on time (and...
Cost variance: the key to keep projects under budget
All projects have various costs associated with them. Ideally, these costs have been planned for ahead of time and detailed in a project budget. The tricky part can be...

The complete guide to effective cost management
Budgets can make or break any project. To succeed, you need to keep a close watch on your cash, time, and resources at all times, and be ready to make adjustments...