A variation usually starts as a notice or request, is priced and assessed for schedule impact, then approved or rejected. Approved variations change the budget and, where scope changes, the baseline.
Work done on an unapproved variation is one of the most common sources of disputes and surprise overruns.
Related terms
Contingency
Budget set aside for risks and uncertainty within the agreed scope.
Baseline
An approved snapshot of the schedule, budget or scope, kept so actual performance can be compared against the plan.
Progress claim
A contractor's periodic claim for payment for the work completed in the period, usually monthly.