Book excerpt: A comprehensive treatment of the fundamental concepts, methods and applications of cost control for a variety of construction project sizes and contract types. Begins with the preconstruction phase and continues through the construction and commissioning phases. Provides a detailed explanation of a cost plan and principles relating to conventional and CPM-based computerized control of progress, manhours, materials, equipment, subcontract costs, indirect costs and change orders. Treats the latest advances with network-based methods and computers, claims, cash flow forecasts and trends. Includes flow charts, tables, reports, glossary, bibliography, and an appendix that illustrates estimating and cost breakdown structure.