---
title: "Short note: Elements of project control"
subject: "Project Engineering"
chapter: 4
key: "semester_7/project_engineering:elements-of-project-control-note"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_7/project_engineering/elements-of-project-control-note
site: BCT Engineering
---

# Short note: Elements of project control

Project Engineering · Chapter 4: Project Implementation and Controlling

- Asked in: 2072 Chaitra, 4 marks
- Video: [What Are Project Controls? Let's Find Out!](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z45dl4aCNao) — Proper Project Management
- Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14
- Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_7/project_engineering/elements-of-project-control-note
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_7/project_engineering/chapter-4

## Question

Write a short note on the elements of project control.

## Short answer

Project control keeps the project on planned time, cost, and quality. Elements are plan/baseline, measurement of performance, comparison and variance analysis, corrective action, information and reporting, and organisation with authority. They work as a continuous loop until project completion.

## Answer

**Project control** is the process of keeping the project on its planned time, cost and quality by comparing actual performance with the plan and taking corrective action. Its elements are:

1. **Plan / standard (baseline):** approved scope, schedule, budget and quality standards against which performance is judged.
2. **Measurement of performance:** collecting actual data of progress, cost, quality and resource use (monitoring).
3. **Comparison and variance analysis:** finding the difference between actual and planned and its cause and effect on the project.
4. **Corrective action:** decisions to bring the project back to plan (more resources, re-sequencing, change of method) or to revise the plan.
5. **Information and reporting (feedback):** timely reports to the manager and the client; the result of the action is fed back to the next cycle.
6. **Organisation and authority:** clear responsibility, authority and people for control at each level.

The elements work as a loop: after action is taken, performance is measured again and the result is fed back, so control is continuous until the project is complete.

## Check yourself

The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why.

1. What is the plan/standard element?
   A. Approved scope, schedule, budget and quality standards used as baseline
   B. Reports
   C. Corrective actions
   D. Actual cost data
   Answer: A. The baseline is the standard against which performance is judged. (Key point: Baseline)

2. What does variance analysis do?
   A. Finds the difference between actual and planned and its cause and effect
   B. Assigns authority
   C. Closes the project
   D. Sets the baseline
   Answer: A. It identifies variance, causes and impact. (Key point: Variance analysis)

3. Why is control described as a loop?
   A. After action, performance is measured again and fed back, so control continues until completion
   B. It happens only once
   C. Corrective action ends it
   D. It does not use measurement
   Answer: A. Feedback repeats the cycle. (Key point: Loop)

4. What does the organisation and authority element ensure?
   A. Clear responsibility, authority and people for control at each level
   B. Weather monitoring
   C. Material testing
   D. Budget approval only
   Answer: A. Someone must be accountable at each level. (Key point: Organisation)

## Related in Project Engineering

- [Evaluation vs controlling; elements of control](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fproject_engineering%3Aevaluation-vs-controlling-elements) — Project Engineering, chapter 4
- [Elements of cost control; feedback control](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fproject_engineering%3Acost-control-elements-feedback-system) — Project Engineering, chapter 4
- [Project types and task environment elements](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fproject_engineering%3Aproject-types-task-environment-elements) — Project Engineering, chapter 1
- [Project control and control cycle steps](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fproject_engineering%3Aproject-control-cycle-steps) — Project Engineering, chapter 4, asked 3×
- [Short note: Project quality control](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fproject_engineering%3Aquality-control-techniques-note) — Project Engineering, chapter 4, asked 2×
- [Monitoring, evaluation, control; control cycle](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fproject_engineering%3Adefine-monitoring-evaluation-control-cycle) — Project Engineering, chapter 4, asked 4×

## Related in other subjects

- [Monitor and control project work](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fict_project_management%3Amonitor-control-project-work) — ICT Project Management, chapter 7
- [Project scope control](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fict_project_management%3Aproject-scope-control) — ICT Project Management, chapter 7
- [Contract, essential elements and importance](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Fconstruction_management%3Acontract-elements-importance) — Construction Management, chapter 5
- [NC and CNC machines: elements and justification](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_4%2Fmanufacturing_and_production_processes%3Anc-cnc-components-advantages-justification) — Manufacturing and Production Processes, chapter 9