HomeNeutral EvaluationUse casesProjects & operations
TN/USE/09
Edition 2027 · effective 1 January 2027
Projects & operations · Major project health check
Nine projects in ten run over budget or schedule. Most say they are on track until they are not.
An independent health check gives sponsors, lenders and boards the honest view that project teams find hard to give.
§ 01The evaluation question
What the evaluator is asked.
“Will this project deliver its scope, on what timeline and at what cost, on the evidence today?”
(The question)
Commissioned by. Sponsor, lender, board, public authority
When. At gateways, or when indicators slip
Usual protocol. A · Joint-party evaluation
Major projects that go over budget, over schedule or both, across 16,000+ projects in 136 countries.Bent Flyvbjerg project database, via strategy+business · 2023 ↗
§ 02What is examined
The evidence, and the output.
The evidence
Material reviewed, and what was not available, is always stated.
- Schedule and critical path
- Cost to complete
- Contract and interface risks
- Governance and decision-making
A rating, a forecast range and the decisions needed
A reasoned view. The decision stays with you.
- It will not: managing the project
- It will not: taking over the contractor’s responsibilities
§ 03Depth and time
Usually: Evaluation Panel.
Two or three evaluators from different disciplines. Typical time: Three to five weeks.
§ 04Your version
Every case is different. Frame yours.
§ 05Related