The working material,not the brochure.

The documented set of assumptions, exclusions, quantities, rates and benchmarks behind a cost estimate. Without it, a number cannot be tested or defended.

A structured test of whether the organization, systems, contracts and controls can deliver the plan on the table before funds are committed.

A decision point where a capital project must demonstrate readiness before it receives both the approval and the money to proceed to the next phase.

A classification of estimate maturity, from an early order-of-magnitude view through to a control estimate, each with its own expected accuracy range.

A measure of physical progress against the baseline, which surfaces cost and schedule variance while intervention is still inexpensive.

The amount of time an activity can slip before it moves the project completion date. Activities with no float sit on the critical path.

A modeled assessment of cost and schedule outcomes across a range of risk events, used to set contingency at a stated confidence level.

A portion of payment withheld until defined completion milestones are met. It is working capital held outside the contractor's reach.

An appointed specialist who gives an opinion on delay, disruption or quantum that is built to be relied on by a tribunal or a court.

The point at which an owner commits the full capital for a project. The decision is expensive to reverse and is the focus of most readiness work.