<h1>Estimated vs Actual Project Time: What Overruns Reveal</h1><p>Comparing planned and recorded hours is one of the simplest ways to learn from completed work. The goal is not to punish an overrun. It is to understand what changed and improve the next scope conversation.</p><h2>Start with a clear baseline</h2><p>Write down the original estimate, the assumptions behind it, and what was included. Then record actual work by phase, including communication and revisions where your agreement requires them.</p><h2>Look for patterns</h2><ul><li>Scope changed after approval.</li><li>A dependency arrived late.</li><li>Review or correction took longer than expected.</li><li>The estimate omitted planning or communication.</li></ul><p>One project can be unusual. Several comparable projects are more useful. Keep notes beside the numbers so the next estimate reflects the reason for the difference.</p><h2>Practical action</h2><ol><li>Close the project with a short estimate-versus-actual review.</li><li>Separate scope change from estimation error.</li><li>Update your checklist or assumptions.</li><li>Use the result in the next quote without promising identical hours.</li></ol><p>Sixton helps you organize time by client and project so this review is based on records rather than memory.</p><h2>Sources</h2><p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/cost-estimating-guidance/cost-estimating-guidance">UK Government Cost Estimating Guidance</a> explains that estimates evolve as scope and assumptions mature. It is government guidance, not a freelancer benchmark.</p>