Cost Item vs Cost Code

cost items (contract item) vs cost code (phase code)

Cost Item sometimes in Viewpoint is called Contract Items, these terms are interchangeable in Viewpoint. For easiness, they will be called Cost Items in this help manual. Cost Code sometimes in Viewpoint is called Phase Code/Phase Items, these terms are interchangeable in Viewpoint. For easiness, they will be called Cost Code in this help manual.

In general terms, Cost Code is a place where the costs or commitments reside. Cost Items are a place Cost Codes reside (mostly cases) - as a summary of cost total under a group (or one) Cost Code. Another items that sometime used is called Billing Groups, which can be used to further summarize Cost Items. See examples on the right.

By principle, each cost code should only be mapped to 1 cost item. Each cost items can have multiple cost code mapped to

In reality each cost code can also be mapped to multiple cost items, only can happen in LS-change orders. However, avoid doing this on CM projects, it would be a nightmare to reconcile

One Cost Code can be mapped to multiple Cost Items

cost item is billing related. cost items can be further summarized and grouped by billing groups

Multi phases project with bill group

Cost Items can be added thru: JC Contract, Change Orders, Budget Upload

Viewpoint JC Cost Item to Bill Group

Cost code can be added thru: JC Project Phases, Change Orders, Budget Upload. Cost code can only be added on project level under parent code. Master code is controlled under JC Phases, avoid changing items in there.

Job Phases Module show location of where Cost Code mapped Cost Items

See Also

• Revenue_(Contract_items)_vs._Cost_(Phase_Codes)