Project Controls

Project controls is the discipline of planning, monitoring, and controlling cost, schedule, and scope on engineering and construction projects.

Core Areas

Schedule Management

• Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)
• Critical Path Method (CPM)
• Baseline scheduling and progress updates
• Float/slack analysis

Cost Management

• Cost baseline and budgeting
• Cost reporting and forecasting
• Change management and variation orders

Earned Value Management (EVM)

• Planned Value (PV) — budgeted cost of scheduled work
• Earned Value (EV) — budgeted cost of work performed
• Actual Cost (AC) — actual cost incurred
• Key indices: SPI (Schedule), CPI (Cost), EAC (Estimate at Completion)

Risk Management

• Risk identification and register
• Qualitative vs. quantitative analysis
• Risk response planning (avoid, mitigate, transfer, accept)

References

• PMI. A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide). 7th ed.
• AACE International. Total Cost Management Framework.
• BS 6079 — Project management standards (BSI).