With either method of controlling subcontract variation orders and payments, it is possible to highlight all such variations in the job cost records by use of one or more separate cost categories.

For example, if a normal plumbing subcontract cost is costed to 5170.SC (Plumbing Subcontract) then a variation can be costed to 5170.US (Plumbing Unbudgeted Subcontract). This allows the full plumbing cost to be seen by looking at all cost categories for cost type 5170 while allowing variations to be separately identified by the cost category.

With Method 1 for controlling subcontract variation orders and payments (that is, without use of variation orders), the forecast can only show certified variations.

With Method 2 or 3 for controlling subcontract variation orders and payments (that is, using variation orders), the forecast can show committed variations as well as certified variations.

A forecast view can be configured listing Subcontract Orders with the original value, total variation value and current value for each order. It can also show the certified amounts for variations separated out provided that a different certificate line has been used for variation payment stages.

A forecast view can also be configured to analyze actual and committed costs by cost category - thus identifying variations separately.