Planning, programming and commercial project support
Equitas provides planning and programming services and commercial and contract management support to contractors, employers and project teams on major construction and engineering projects. Our project services work is grounded in practical delivery experience and an understanding of how programme and commercial issues develop into claims and disputes if not managed carefully.
We support projects at all stages — from baseline programme preparation and contract administration through to recovery planning and dispute-related commercial management.
Project services that support
delivery and protect entitlement
Planning and programming work and commercial contract management are not isolated functions — they are the foundation on which claims are built and disputes are resolved. A well-maintained programme, a properly administered contract and a disciplined approach to variations and notices can determine the strength of a claim long before it reaches a dispute board or arbitration.
Equitas provides project services support with that context in mind. Our planning and programming work is carried out using industry-standard tools including Primavera P6 and MS Project, with particular experience in FIDIC-based projects where Sub-Clause 8.3 revised programme submissions and time impact analysis are critical to claim development. Our commercial and contract management services focus on the disciplines that protect entitlement and maintain evidential records during live project delivery.
“The records that support a claim are created during the project. Good project management is good claims management.”
Our project services are designed to support delivery teams in maintaining the programme, commercial and contractual disciplines that matter not only for project performance, but for the strength of any future claim or dispute position.
Programme services for
delivery and dispute contexts
We provide planning and programming support across live project delivery and dispute-related environments, using P6 Primavera and MS Project as primary tools.
Baseline Programme Preparation
Preparation of detailed baseline programmes that reflect the contract requirements, construction methodology, resource logic and sequencing constraints of the project. We develop programmes to the standard required for submission under FIDIC Sub-Clause 8.3 and equivalent provisions in other forms.
Recovery Programmes
Preparation of recovery and revised programmes following delay events, change in scope or instruction to accelerate. We develop recovery programmes that are resource-loaded, logically sequenced and capable of demonstrating realistic completion within the revised contract period.
Progress Monitoring & Reporting
Regular programme updates, progress measurement and reporting against the baseline or accepted programme. We provide structured progress reports that create a contemporaneous record of actual progress, delay events and their impact — essential for any future claim or dispute.
Time Impact Analysis
Preparation of Time Impact Analysis (TIA) under FIDIC and other standard forms to demonstrate the prospective or retrospective effect of delay events on the programme. We apply TIA methodology in accordance with the applicable contract requirements and recognised industry practice.
Sub-Clause 8.3 Revised Programmes
Preparation and review of revised programme submissions under FIDIC Sub-Clause 8.3, including the supporting narrative, methodology statements and programme logic required to demonstrate compliance with the Engineer’s requirements and the contract.
Delay Analysis Support
Programme-based delay analysis using P6 Primavera and MS Project to support extension of time claims, expert reports and dispute submissions. We apply impacted as-planned, collapsed as-built, TIA and windows analysis approaches depending on the facts and forum requirements.
Contract administration that
protects entitlement
Disciplined contract administration, variation management and notice compliance are not administrative tasks — they are the disciplines that determine whether entitlement is preserved or lost during project delivery.
Contract Administration
Day-to-day contract administration support across FIDIC, NEC and JCT forms, including management of the contract correspondence, instruction records, payment applications and the documentation required to maintain a clear and auditable project record.
Variation Management
Identification, valuation and management of variations arising during project delivery. We assist project teams in developing robust variation registers, preparing and reviewing variation orders and ensuring that change is properly captured, valued and agreed before it becomes a source of dispute.
Notices & Claims Procedures
Advice on notice obligations, claim procedures and time limits under FIDIC, NEC, JCT and bespoke contracts. We assist project teams in identifying triggering events, drafting notices and maintaining the procedural compliance necessary to preserve contractual entitlement.
Contract Drafting & Review
Review and drafting of construction contracts, subcontracts and contract amendments, with particular experience in FIDIC Particular Conditions and bespoke modifications. We identify risk allocation issues, ambiguous provisions and potential entitlement traps before contracts are executed.
FIDIC / NEC / JCT Administration
Specialist contract administration support for projects using FIDIC Red, Yellow and Silver Books, NEC3 and NEC4, and JCT forms. We assist employers, contractors and project managers in navigating the specific procedural and notification requirements of each form.
Commercial Risk Review
Pre-contract and post-award commercial risk reviews to identify exposure under the contract terms, programme constraints and scope definition. We help clients understand their contractual risk profile before issues develop into claims.
Project services aligned to
delivery and dispute strategy
Understand the project and contractual context
We begin by reviewing the contract, the programme, the project status and the key issues — whether the engagement is for live delivery support, recovery planning or dispute-related programme and commercial work.
Establish the programme and commercial baseline
We develop or review the baseline programme and commercial records to ensure they accurately reflect the contract requirements, the agreed scope and the project’s current position — creating the foundation for both delivery management and claims.
Maintain discipline during delivery
Programme updates, variation management, notice compliance and contract correspondence are maintained to a standard that supports not only current delivery objectives but also the evidential record required for any future claim or dispute.
Support claims and dispute preparation
Where project issues escalate, we ensure that the programme and commercial record is structured to support extension of time and cost claims, DAB referrals or arbitration — drawing on the same disciplines applied during project delivery.
Project services and dispute services are not separate disciplines.
The programme records, variation registers, notice files and contract correspondence maintained during project delivery become the evidential foundation of any later claim or dispute. The quality of that foundation determines the strength of the position.
Equitas brings both project delivery experience and disputes expertise to its project services work — so that the records created today are fit for purpose if they are needed tomorrow.
These services are available as a standing monthly engagement.
For contractors on live international FIDIC projects, programme support, contract administration and claims management can be delivered on a standing retainer basis — combining the disciplines on this page into a single coordinated advisory engagement throughout project delivery.
Need planning or commercial project support?
Contact Equitas to discuss your project, the contract form and the planning or commercial support required.