Cash Flow Tip 11 - Managing Change Orders

Managing Change Orders from initiating event through execution, billing, and receipt of payment.

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A well managed change order process will have a hugely positive impact on customer satisfaction, profitability, and cash flow. A poorly managed process will negatively impact all three and will sometimes impact cash for years if it goes into a claim situation.

Cash Flow: Tip 11 Change Order Management - Identification-to-Payment
  • Map out the change management process, including the specific people who are directly and indirectly involved on each project. The diagram shown is a simple one - expand it in more detail like you did for cash flow. These two processes are interrelated.  
  • Ensure that your contract supports a fair change management process and that everyone on your project team knows what the requirements are.
  • Build relationships at all levels to support the change management process.
  • Make sure your Schedule-of-Values (SOV) can easily integrate change orders from the time they are identified, just so everyone remains on the same page.  
  • Where possible, try to minimize T&M changes because you can’t get them approved and paid ahead of executing the work. Where they are necessary, focus on rapid pricing turnaround and getting them in billings ASAP.  
  • Remember that great negotiating skills will make a huge difference with change management.

Cash Flow Tip 11 - Managing Change Orders
Great cash flow is a key driver of valuation and successful successions. Running out of cash is is the #1 reason contractors fail. Improving cash flow improves your Return on Equity. Protect yourself and never let cash flow be the limitation to your profitable growth....

Cash Flow Tip 11 - Managing Change Orders
Great cash flow is a key driver of valuation and successful successions. Running out of cash is is the #1 reason contractors fail. Improving cash flow improves your Return on Equity. Protect yourself and never let cash flow be the limitation to your profitable growth....

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