Developing Guidance for Calculating and Allocating Costs in Projects
Bulusan, Petra Femelyn (2025)
2025
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Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2025121536274
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2025121536274
Tiivistelmä
The Objective of this thesis is to provide project cost and allocation management guidelines aimed to provide procedures such as cost allocation and calculation in projects at the case company. The case company is a small enterprise that provides expert services in media and communications.
The research approach in this thesis is applied action research, which relies on collecting internal data and utilizing qualitative research techniques. The three phases of data collection included stakeholder workshops and interviews, as well as internal document analysis.
The current state analysis focused on examining and finding strengths and weaknesses in the current project cost management practices. It identified four project phases: planning, procurement, development, and completion that all relate to cost management.
In the theoretical framework, concepts, tools and best practices from literature on the topics of cost management, cost estimation and cost control were pulled together to address the weaknesses identified in the current state analysis.
The outcome of this thesis is the guidelines for the project cost management that was collaboratively developed with key stakeholders. As a result of this development, the projects at the case company could benefit from greater effectiveness, a more consistent approach and data flow.
The research approach in this thesis is applied action research, which relies on collecting internal data and utilizing qualitative research techniques. The three phases of data collection included stakeholder workshops and interviews, as well as internal document analysis.
The current state analysis focused on examining and finding strengths and weaknesses in the current project cost management practices. It identified four project phases: planning, procurement, development, and completion that all relate to cost management.
In the theoretical framework, concepts, tools and best practices from literature on the topics of cost management, cost estimation and cost control were pulled together to address the weaknesses identified in the current state analysis.
The outcome of this thesis is the guidelines for the project cost management that was collaboratively developed with key stakeholders. As a result of this development, the projects at the case company could benefit from greater effectiveness, a more consistent approach and data flow.