Illustration only, not measured results. Actual priorities depend on your project and organization.
What does a cost controller do in a project-based company?
A cost controller protects project margin. To that end, they compare budget, committed cost, actual cost and earned value on every work package. ProjectVIEW ERP codes each purchase order, timesheet, plant hour and subcontractor certificate once, against the BoQ or BoM item, the WBS activity and the cost code. Variance and cost to complete are therefore visible before the invoices arrive. The same control also works on a building, a hull, an offshore campaign, a mine or an engineer-to-order product.
- Budget and baseline: set the cost baseline per work package, from the estimate.
- Commitments and actuals: then track orders, timesheets, plant hours and subcontractor certificates against the budget.
- Forecast and variance: finally, report earned value, CPI, SPI and cost to complete, and explain each variance.
How ProjectVIEW ERP supports cost controllers
Select your industry
ConstructionBoQ items, interim payment certificates, variations and claims.
Shipbuilding & repairHull blocks, outfitting packages, repair specification items and man-hours per ton.
Marine & offshoreInstallation campaigns, vessel and spread days, standby and weather downtime.
Mining & quarryingCost per tonne or bcm, fleet hours and development meters against the mine plan.
Project-based manufacturingBoM, routings, shop hours and milestone billing on engineer-to-order contracts.Your ProjectVIEW stack
ERP modules
AI agents
These specialized AI agents are available with ProjectVIEW v12. They work on governed ERP data, send risk alerts and propose actions. Your team approves every action. ProjectVIEW AI v12
Three ways to start: connect ProjectVIEW ERP to your current ERP, start with the modules you need most, or run the complete ERP + AI system. See integration with SAP, Oracle and other ERPs.
FAQ: Cost Controller
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Questions about your role or your industry? Talk to a subject-matter expert who implements ProjectVIEW ERP.
What is the difference between committed cost and actual cost?
Committed cost is what you have ordered or contracted but not yet been invoiced for. In contrast, actual cost is what has been invoiced, booked or consumed. ProjectVIEW ERP shows both per work package, so an overrun shows before the invoice arrives.
How do CPI and SPI together show project health?
CPI shows cost efficiency, while SPI shows schedule pace. When CPI ≥ 1 and SPI ≥ 1, the work package is on budget and on time. If CPI < 1 and SPI ≥ 1, it is on time, but buying progress at a higher cost (for example overtime or extra plant). With CPI ≥ 1 and SPI < 1, it is under cost, but late, often because resources are missing. When both are below 1, the work package needs action now.
Can our cost codes stay aligned with the corporate chart of accounts?
Yes, because cost codes map to the general ledger in ProjectVIEW ERP or in SAP S/4HANA and Oracle Fusion. As a result, project control and corporate accounting use the same entries.
Does it work with Primavera P6 or MS Project?
Yes, native connectors synchronize WBS activities and dates with Oracle Primavera P6 as well as Microsoft Project.
Which industries does this cover?
Construction, shipbuilding and repair, marine and offshore, mining and quarrying, as well as project-based manufacturing. The same cost control and earned value logic also applies in each, whether the scope is a BoQ, a BoM or a work package.
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