Project budgeting
Set project budgets.See how the work tracks against them.
Set revenue, cost, and margin targets for each project and review them as the team logs time and costs.
The problem
Budgets only help if the team can see them during the work.
A margin target in a spreadsheet does not tell you much once the project starts moving. You need to see the plan next to the actual numbers.
Budgets sit outside the workflow
The budget gets written down once, but it is not visible where the team is logging time and costs.
Revenue and costs are checked separately
Invoices, time, and expenses live in different places, so margin takes extra work to calculate.
Drift shows up late
If you only review margin after the job is nearly done, the chance to adjust scope or staffing is smaller.
How it works
Budget, cost, and margin in one view.
Set the revenue budget from the order
Link the project to an order and use that total as the starting point, or enter the number directly when needed.
- Pre-filled from the linked order total
- Editable if scope changes
- Used in revenue recognised calculations
Define the cost budget
Set an internal target for staff time, direct expenses, and outside costs, then compare it against the actual project cost.
- Staff time at internal cost rates
- Direct expenses and materials
- Third-party service costs
Compare target and actual margin
Effici calculates the expected margin from the revenue and cost budgets, then updates the actual margin as the work is recorded.
- Revenue budget minus cost budget
- Updates as time and costs are logged
- Target margin vs. actual margin
Spot drift before the project closes
The dashboard shows budget consumption as well as absolute numbers, which makes it easier to see whether the project is still on plan.
- Budget consumed as a percentage
- Breakdown by team member
- Historical P&L after the project closes
Getting started
Set the budget once. Review it as the work moves.
Link the order
Use the order total as the revenue budget or enter the starting number directly.
Set the cost target
Define what the project should cost in staff time and direct expenses.
Review the margin
As work is logged, compare the actual margin against the original plan.
Who it's for
For teams that need margin visibility before a job is finished.
Fixed-fee teams
Keep a clear view of how much of the agreed fee has already been consumed by time and direct costs.
Time-and-materials teams
Use budgets to set expectations and see when a project is taking more effort than expected.
Studios and consultancies with several active jobs
See which projects are still healthy and which ones need a closer look without opening a separate spreadsheet.
Related features
Often used together.
Project management
Project budgets in the same view as delivery.
Hours, costs, team assignments, and budget status stay connected on the project.
Learn more →Project reporting
Margin reporting built from live project data.
Review project P&L, company revenue, and receivables from the same numbers.
Learn more →Time tracking
Time entries that feed the budget view.
Every logged hour updates budget usage, margin, and invoice preparation.
Learn more →FAQ
Common questions.
What is project budget tracking software?
Project budget tracking software shows whether a project is staying within the revenue, cost, and margin targets set at the start. Effici updates those numbers as time and costs are recorded.
How does Effici calculate project margin?
Effici calculates margin as recognised revenue minus total cost, expressed against recognised revenue. Costs include logged staff time at internal cost rates plus direct expenses and third-party costs added to the project.
Can I update a project budget mid-project?
Yes. Revenue and cost budgets can be edited at any time. If scope changes, the revenue budget can be re-synced from the updated order total.
What's the difference between revenue budget and cost budget?
The revenue budget is what the client has agreed to pay, usually the order total. The cost budget is what you expect to spend internally on time and direct expenses. The margin target is the difference between the two.
What happens when a project closes?
Closed projects drop out of active dashboards but stay available in history and reporting. The final P&L remains there for later review.