Sachin Shete
Construction Project Management Consultant
In construction, two things determine whether a project succeeds or fails: time and cost. I’ve seen technically sound projects stumble simply because deadlines slipped or budgets spiraled. Mastering these two isn’t just a management exercise, it’s what keeps clients, contractors, and stakeholders aligned.
Why Time Control Matters
Delays in construction trigger a domino effect: disrupted logistics, higher labor costs, delayed revenue, and in some cases, liquidated damages. Beyond the numbers, delays also erode client trust and a harder cost to recover from.
Why Cost Control is Critical
Construction is capital-intensive. Poor estimates, scope creep, or inefficiencies can eat into margins overnight. Without strong cost control, even a project delivered on time can fail to be profitable.
Common Causes of Overruns
The usual culprits are familiar: unrealistic budgets, poor scheduling, design changes, weak risk management, resource shortages, and gaps in communication. Contractor or subcontractor performance issues often compound these problems.
Core Strategies for Control
• Comprehensive Planning: Define scope clearly, break the work down into manageable packages, and use CPM or Gantt charts to visualize the timeline.
• Comprehensive Planning: Define scope clearly, break the work down into manageable packages, and use CPM or Gantt charts to visualize the timeline.
• Accurate Estimation: Use historical data, cost databases, and contingencies. Don’t ignore inflation or market fluctuations.
• Robust Scheduling & Monitoring: Tools like Primavera P6 or MS Project, coupled with Earned Value Management, allow accurate tracking of planned vs. actual progress.
• Change Control: Every scope or design change must go through a formal review, with time and cost impact assessed before approval.
• Risk Management: Maintain a live risk register, assign owners, and plan mitigations early.
• Communication: Clear lines between stakeholders, regular reviews, and transparent reporting keep everyone accountable.
• Technology Integration: BIM for clash detection, mobile apps for site updates, and cloud-based dashboards for collaboration.
Tools That Help
Modern tools like Gantt charts, BIM, and Power BI ensure efficient planning, tracking, and real-time control of projects.
Leadership & Culture
Effective leadership and a culture of accountability are key to successful time and cost management.
Continuous Improvement
Ongoing reviews and performance metrics help improve efficiency and predictability in future projects.
Time and cost control aren’t about rigidly sticking to a plan, they’re about foresight, adaptability, and collaboration. When these elements come together, projects don’t just finish, they finish strong.
Sachin Shete
Construction Project Management Consultant
meritconsultancy99@gmail.com
+91 8482977711
