As design detail increases, which of the following tends to decrease?

As design detail increases, which of the following tends to decrease?

• A. Risk
• B. Contingency
• C. Schedule
• D. Allowance

Answer: (B)

As design detail increases, uncertainty drops because the project scope, quantities, and interfaces become clearer. Contingency is the budget reserve set aside for unknowns and potential changes. When the design is more fully developed, there are fewer unknowns and less potential for cost growth, so the required contingency reserve decreases. Note that risk itself also tends to lessen with more detail, but the specific budget item that most directly decreases as detail increases is the contingency. Schedule often shifts (typically extending) as more design work is completed, and allowances decrease as items are defined, but the question’s best fit is the contingency.

As design detail increases, uncertainty drops because the project scope, quantities, and interfaces become clearer. Contingency is the budget reserve set aside for unknowns and potential changes. When the design is more fully developed, there are fewer unknowns and less potential for cost growth, so the required contingency reserve decreases.

Note that risk itself also tends to lessen with more detail, but the specific budget item that most directly decreases as detail increases is the contingency. Schedule often shifts (typically extending) as more design work is completed, and allowances decrease as items are defined, but the question’s best fit is the contingency.