What is programme contingency?

There are usually some unexpected situations to be dealt with in any project, so it is important to plan for these unknowns from the start. As with budget, where the overall time available is limited, you should allow a contingency within the programme. We refer to this as programme contingency.

If the project is relatively low-risk and the implications of potential delay would be easily accommodated, then programme contingency is less important. However, if there is a significant risk of delays and timescales are tight, then a larger contingency needs to be applied from the outset of the project.

It is worth noting that delays in time often lead to cost increases, and likewise additional work will often have a knock-on effect on project programme.