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Utility Project Cost Controls

April 8, 2026 Online :: Central Time

“One of the best courses I have ever taken with EUCI.”

Project Manager, Harlan Electric

“EUCI made me believe that learning is not locked down during COVID 19 pandemic time. EUCI provided online learning opportunity which proved that learning from home is possible!”

Operations Support Analyst, TC Energy

“David is a phenomenal speaker. Very knowledgeable with the ability to share that knowledge in an easily understandable manner.”

Harlan Electric
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“Excellent instructor! Thank you David for a wonderful experience and sharing your knowledge!”

Harlan Electric

Utility projects are often large-scale, capital-intensive, and highly regulated, whether related to transmission, distribution, generation, or water infrastructure. These types of projects face cost pressures such as fluctuating material prices, regulatory compliance restrictions, and long lead times. Without a well-defined project scope, ineffective cost estimation methods, insufficient change or risk management can result in budget overruns, delayed schedules, and diminished project value.

This course provides utility professionals with the tools and frameworks needed to proactively manage project cost controls, like budgets, scope, and risk. Through a utility-focused lens, participants will learn how to develop reliable cost estimates, use proven cost control techniques, and build risk-informed contingency budgets. The training emphasizes practical application using utility-relevant examples and includes interactive exercises to reinforce learning. Participants will leave with the skills to monitor, report, and control project costs across the entire life cycle, improving accountability, regulatory compliance, and capital efficiency in their organizations.

Learning Outcomes

  • Express a high comfort level in developing a budget and apply earned value techniques
  • Recognize the importance of Net Present Value (NPV)
  • Apply a successful approach in managing scope (and by extension, the budget and schedule)
  • Recognize the value of a contingency budget, capital vs. operating expenses, and sunk costs
  • Identify how to develop a project schedule from the WBS (Work Breakdown Structure)
  • Apply earned value techniques to determine project schedule and budget status
  • Review how schedule slips impact the budget

Register

Please Note: This event is being conducted entirely online. All attendees will connect and attend from their computer, one connection per purchase. For details please see our FAQ

If you are unable to attend at the scheduled date and time, we make recordings available to all attendees for 7 days after the event

REGISTER NOW FOR THIS EVENT:

This event has passed and cannot be registered for. If you would like to see if this event will be offered again please reach out to [email protected]

Your registration may be transferred to a member of your organization up to 24 hours in advance of the event. Cancellations must be received on or before March 06, 2026 in order to be refunded and will be subject to a US $195.00 processing fee per registrant. No refunds will be made after this date. Cancellations received after this date will create a credit of the tuition (less processing fee) good toward any other EUCI event. This credit will be good for six months from the cancellation date. In the event of non-attendance, all registration fees will be forfeited. In case of conference cancellation, EUCIs liability is limited to refund of the event registration fee only. For more information regarding administrative policies, such as complaints and refunds, please contact our offices at 303-770-8800

Agenda

Wednesday, April 8, 2026
Central Time

Online

Log In

8:45 AM

Lunch Break

12:30 - 1:15 PM

Adjourn for the day

4:30 PM

8:45 AM - 9:00 AM

Log In

12:30 - 1:15 PM

Lunch Break

9:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Course Timing

Understanding Project Cost Controls

  • Definition and importance of cost control in project management
  • The triple constraint: cost, schedule, scope
  • Activities associated with the project life cycle
  • Key components of project cost management
  • Importance of scope development

Cost Estimating Techniques

  • Types of cost estimates (order of magnitude, budget, definitive)
  • Methods for cost estimation (analogous, parametric, bottom-up, three-point estimating)
  • Individual exercise

Developing Scope

  • Scope definition
    • How scope can change and impact cost

WBS Structure - Using the WBS to develop project scope and aligning with Fixed Asset in-service procedure.

Cost Budgeting and Planning

  • Creating a project budget
  • Allocating costs across project activities
  • Contingency planning and reserves
  • Individual exercise

Tools and Techniques for Cost Control (heavy)

  • Earned Value Management (EVM) (brief introduction)
  • Cost variance and performance indices – example
    • Looking at cost variances and trends to make decisions about forecast (Need for centralized and archived variance explanations
    • Translating data to the PM

Lunch Break

Risk Management and Cost Control

  • Using risks to determine project contingency budget
  • Identifying cost-related risks

Change Management and Cost Control

  • Managing changes to project scope and their impact on costs
  • Change control process and tools

Monitoring and Reporting Costs

  • Techniques for tracking costs throughout the project lifecycle - Status
  • Generating and interpreting cost/status reports

Interactive Workshop: Creating a Cost Control Plan

  • Elements of a cost control/project plan
  • Hands-on activity to develop a cost control plan for a hypothetical project
  • Group presentations and feedback or quiz

Instructor

David Tennant has successfully directed over $3.5 billion in projects, programs, and resources.  With degrees in engineering and business, he has a unique perspective on projects at both the practitioner and executive levels. His experience includes engineering, operations, marketing, board leadership, consulting, training, and numerous executive roles.

Mr. Tennant has had projects worldwide and published over 35 articles on technical and managerial topics. His experience includes utilities, manufacturing, services, telecom, R&D, and EPC (engineering) firms. He is a registered professional engineer and certified project manager (PMP).

David Tennant

Windward Consulting Group LLC

Continuing Education Credits

IACET

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EUCI is accredited by the International Accreditors for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) and offers IACET CEUs for its learning events that comply with the ANSI/IACET Continuing Education and Training Standard. IACET is recognized internationally as a standard development organization and accrediting body that promotes quality of continuing education and training.

EUCI is authorized by IACET to offer 0.7 CEUs for this event

Verify our IACET accreditation

Who recognizes IACET Credits?

Requirements for Successful Completion of Program

Participants must log in and be in attendance for the entirety of the webinar to be eligible for continuing education credit.

 

Instructional Methods

PowerPoint presentations, interactive group exercise, and group discussion will be used during this webinar. 

CPE

Upon successful completion of this event, program participants interested in receiving CPE credits will receive a certificate of completion.

Course CPE Credits: 8.0
There is no prerequisite for this Course.
Program field of study: Specialized Knowledge
Program Level: Basic
Delivery Method: Group Internet Based
Advanced Preparation: None

CpeEUCI is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. State boards of accountancy have final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE credit. Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be submitted to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors through its website: www.nasbaregistry.org

CLE

Only registered attendees can request CLE credits for an EUCI course/event. Please email [email protected] prior to the course start date and list the state where you are licensed and your bar# as well as the name and date of your course/event in your request, and someone will be in contact.

Who Should Attend

Utility project executives, product and project managers, general managers, engineers, and operations managers.