Excel is great for registers and dashboards, but risky as the master NEC programme. Here are 7 pitfalls that undermine cause and effect, plus fixes using a lean logic linked schedule.

Specialist contractors rarely lose money on NEC jobs because they cannot build. More often, they lose it when the accepted programme stops reflecting reality and the change record is too weak to defend. This article looks at where that happens and how stronger programme discipline protects margin and repeat work.