About Cost Management

Cost Management in Autodesk Build is a robust set of capabilities purpose-built for construction teams, centralizing all cost activities in the cloud. It helps to improve cost control and streamline workflows. Cost Management also provides real-time visibility into cost-related risk, allows for more accurate forecasting, and brings more predictability to cash flow and profitability projections.

Cost Management with Autodesk Construction Cloud

Built on a unified platform and common data environment, Autodesk Construction Cloud is a powerful and complete portfolio of construction management products. ACC empowers general contractors, specialty trades, designers, and owners to drive better business outcomes. Autodesk Construction Cloud combines advanced technology, a unique builders network, and predictive insights to connect teams, workflows, and data across the entire building lifecycle.

Learn more about Autodesk Construction Cloud.

Key Functionalities of Cost Management

There are many functionalities available within Cost Management. Check out this overview video to learn more about them:

Within Cost Management, you can work with tools that help track costs, manage risk, and keep a project on a budget:

Home - Use the home page to control your project with an aggregated view of important dates in a calendar.
Budget - Create and manage budgets, main contracts, and budget payment applications to track incoming and outgoing cash for your project.
Cost - Create and manage contracts, expenses, and cost payment applications to track incoming and outgoing cash for your project.
Change Order - Work with cost items and follow the change order workflow.
Forecast - Visually schedule time-based allowances, such as general conditions. It also helps you understand how your budget and time interact with each other.
Settings - Cost Management is flexible and customizable. Configurable features allow teams to customize the software to suit their needs and preferences. Learn more about setting up Cost Management.

Files, Reports, and Members are central tools for Autodesk Construction Cloud.

Getting Started with Cost Management

You’ll find the Getting Started article helpful when this is your first contact with Cost Management or if you want to refresh your knowledge. Browsing through that, you can check the:

First Steps in Cost Management section. Here you can find links to helpful articles about creating a new simple project, managing main permissions, or learning how to do the basic setup.
Terminology in Cost Management article, where you find definitions of terms used in Cost Management.

Possible Workflows with Cost Management

See the basic financial workflow within Cost Management and how those functionalities can streamline your processes.

Here are examples of workflows that can be used throughout a project. See the Collaborate with Others in Cost Management article to learn more how to work with owners and suppliers in Cost Management.

Cost and Change Management Workflow

Use this workflow to control cost and confirm that all changes are accounted for and managed effectively. Maintain positive cash flow, reduce risk, and maximize profit. Why follow this workflow?

Customizable to suit your needs and preferences
Provides a real-time summary view of all budget items and contracts
Streamlines upstream and downstream change order workflows

Capabilities used: Budget and Contract management, Change Order management, Payment applications, Forecasting.

Payment Application Workflow

Use this workflow to manage incremental pay applications effectively, automate tasks, and gain a real-time view of the project’s financial health. Why to follow this workflow?

Adds a level of automation
Easy to manage and track
Provides a real-time summary view of all cost and budget payments

Capabilities used: Budget and Contract management, Change Order management, Payment applications, Document generation.

Frequently Asked Questions about Cost Management

Went through the help documentation and didn’t you find the answer you're looking for? Try here: Cost Management FAQ.

Connected with Cost Management

There are multiple tools within Autodesk Build that can be connected with Cost Management's capabilities. For example, you can:

Set up account-level features and standards within Project Admin and Account Admin
Export cross-project budget reports in the Reports tool within Autodesk Build
Use the prediction and analytics capabilities in Insight
Create the necessary documents at the project level within Docs

More Resources

Want to learn more about Cost Management? Check out our other resources:

Note: You will need to register to access free course content.