--- title: "Project control and control cycle steps" subject: "Project Engineering" chapter: 4 key: "semester_7/project_engineering:project-control-cycle-steps" source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_7/project_engineering/project-control-cycle-steps site: BCT Engineering --- # Project control and control cycle steps Project Engineering · Chapter 4: Project Implementation and Controlling - Asked in: 2081 Bhadra, 2+3 marks; 2076 Chaitra, 6 marks; 2075 Chaitra, 2+4 marks (asked 3 times) - Video: [Project Control and 7 Effective techniques (video without Background Sound-link below)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LtT97Ugk8z0) — Project's Mind - Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14 - Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_7/project_engineering/project-control-cycle-steps - Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_7/project_engineering/chapter-4 ## Question What is project control? Write down the steps of the project control cycle. As a project manager, how will you control a project during the implementation phase with the aid of the project control cycle? ## Short answer Project control compares actual performance with plan, analyses variances, and takes corrective action. The cycle steps are: set baseline plan, measure progress, compare actual with plan, analyse causes, take corrective action, and update/report. As project manager, apply these steps weekly using reports, meetings, and earned value to keep time, cost, and quality on track. ## Answer #### Project control **Project control** is the process of comparing actual performance with the plan, analysing the variances and taking corrective action (or revising the plan) so that the project is completed within the planned time, cost and quality. In short, control keeps the project on its planned path. #### Steps of the project control cycle The arrow from box 5 back to box 1 is the feedback: the plan is updated and the cycle starts again. ```text +--------------+ +------------------+ | 1 Plan: | | 2 Implement and | | baseline of |---->| measure actual | | time, cost, | | progress | | quality | +--------+---------+ +------^-------+ | | v +------+-------+ +------------------+ | 5 Take | | 3 Compare actual | | corrective | | with plan and | | action / | | find variance | | re-plan | +--------+---------+ +------^-------+ | | v | +------------------+ +-------------| 4 Analyse causes | | and decide | +------------------+ ``` 1. **Set the baseline plan:** approved scope, schedule, budget and quality standards. 2. **Measure progress:** record the actual work done, cost spent and quality results through site reports, measurement books and inspections. 3. **Compare** actual with planned values and find the **variance** (schedule, cost, quality). 4. **Analyse the variance:** find the causes (late material, low productivity, design change, weather) and forecast the effect on the completion date and final cost. 5. **Take corrective action:** add resources, work overtime, re-sequence activities, change the method, or revise the plan with approval. 6. **Report and update:** inform management, update the plan, and repeat the cycle at the next review period (feedback). #### Controlling the project in the implementation phase As project manager, I would apply the cycle as follows. 1. **Baseline:** fix the approved schedule, budget and quality plan, and communicate the targets to site engineers and contractors. 2. **Measure:** collect daily and weekly reports of work done, labour, machines and materials; check quality by tests and inspections; record the bills. 3. **Compare:** hold weekly progress meetings; compare actual with planned physical progress and cost (S-curve, bar chart, earned value). 4. **Analyse:** find the cause of each delay or overrun and its effect on the critical path and the final cost. 5. **Act:** add resources to critical activities, re-sequence work, give incentives, change the method, resolve design and payment problems, or get changes approved (variation orders). 6. **Update and report:** revise the schedule, inform the client, and repeat the cycle every week or month. Close control of critical activities, quick decisions and good records keep the project within time and budget. ## Check yourself The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why. 1. What is project control? A. Only preparing the budget B. Comparing actual with plan, analysing variances and taking corrective action C. Only recording progress D. Final evaluation after completion Answer: B. Control keeps time, cost and quality on plan by comparing, analysing and correcting. (Key point: Definition) 2. After comparing actual with planned values and finding the variance, what is the next step? A. Report to the client only B. Re-set the baseline immediately C. Close the project D. Analyse the causes and forecast the effect on date and cost Answer: D. Variances are analysed for causes and their effects before corrective action is chosen. (Key point: Step after comparison) 3. Which is a corrective action for a delayed critical activity? A. Ignore it B. Add resources or overtime, re-sequence work C. Reduce quality tests D. Add resources to non-critical activities only Answer: B. Acting on critical activities, by adding resources, re-sequencing or changing method, protects the completion date. (Key point: Corrective actions) 4. Why is the cycle repeated every week or month? A. Progress is re-measured and the plan updated so deviations are caught early B. To reduce the budget C. To change the contract D. To end the project Answer: A. Control is a closed feedback loop repeated every review period to keep the project on track. 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