Anatomy of a Project Control System

As previously mentioned, the greatest opportunities for real cost control and substantial cost reductions are found in the early project definition and planning stages. However, once the basic decisions have been made and their cost impact estimated, a control system must be established. 

The prime purpose of a project control system is to provide an accurate, quantitative means of measuring  

The Owner s project control system need not be as sophisticated as the contractor s. It is intended mainly to check the accuracy of the contractor s progress reports and cost and schedule projections or to control small in-house projects. A simple manual system judiciously used should be sufficient to meet the Owner s requirements. 

An effective system, simple or sophisticated, must include procedures and provide tools to perform three basic functions  

The prompt and accurate discharge of those functions provides project management with the necessary information to take timely corrective action to 

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