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  4. How to understand the budget overview columns
Updated on September 4, 2025

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    • How to prepare for the cost control meeting (Video)
    • How to view column descriptions in the project budget
    • How to revise budgets and manage discrepancies
    • How to adjust budget visual settings
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    • How to add a single line item to the budget
    • How to add a client variation (change order)
    • How to import or update budget line items
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    • How to understand the budget overview columns
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  • Folder icon closed Folder open iconForecasting
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    • How to process an invoice for a purchase order
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      • How to prepare budget for cost control meeting
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    • Advanced tools
      • Consolidated purchase invoice processing
      • Multi-currency budgets, purchase orders, and invoices management
      • How to forecast construction project cash flow

How to understand the budget overview columns

Estimated reading: 3 minutes

The budget overview brings together all key financial indicators of your project in one view. Each column has a specific purpose: some track cost estimates, some track actual spending, and others calculate income or profitability.

Below is a table with each column explained in detail.

ColumnMeaning
Net estimated costThe estimated cost to complete the item. This is your baseline expectation for what it will cost to deliver this part of the project.
Budget submitted to clientThe price offered to the client. This is calculated as the net estimated cost plus markup. It represents the expected income from the item.
Committed incomeThe value of client contracts created in Planyard. If you have multiple contracts for the same budget item, the column shows the total of all contracts.
Approved sales invoicesThe total value of sales invoices that have been processed and assigned to this budget item. This gives you an overview of sales to date.
Target budgetAn internally set target cost for the item. It allows you to aim lower than your estimated cost. For example, if the net estimated cost is 50 but you want to push for 45, the target budget can be set to 45.
Revised budgetThe updated forecast of cost to complete. Whenever you update the forecast for an item, this number reflects the latest expectation.
Committed costsThe total of all subcontracts, purchase orders, and standalone invoices created in the project. This shows how much you have committed financially to date, regardless of whether payments have been made.
Committed variationsThe total value of all variations (changes) in subcontracts and purchase orders. This helps track scope or price changes added to commitments.
In subcontractsCalculated as the revised budget minus committed costs. Shows how much budget you still have available to spend on the item.
ClaimedThe total value approved in subcontractor claims. Only shows claims that have been approved.
Approved costThe total cost recorded to date. This is a summary of all invoices, bills, and receipts that have been processed against the budget.
Remaining budgetCalculated as the revised budget minus committed costs. Shows how much budget you still have available to spend for the item.
Budget varianceThe difference between the target budget and the revised budget. It indicates whether you are better or worse off compared to your internal target.
Profitability forecastThe portion of committed costs that comes specifically from subcontracts (not purchase orders or standalone invoices).


Tip: Use the combination of budget variance and profitability forecast to spot risks early. Variance helps you track internal efficiency against targets, while the profitability forecast shows the real impact on client-facing margins.

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