> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://meganharrisonconsulting.mintlify.site/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Budget Overview

> Understand the budget tool, its columns, and how to navigate budget line items.

The Budget tool is the project's financial baseline. It lists every cost code with the original budget, approved changes, committed amounts, actuals, and forecast.

## Open the Budget

1. Select the project in the header.
2. Open **Budget** from the project sidebar.
3. The budget loads as a table grouped by cost code and category.

## Budget Columns

Each line item shows these standard columns. Names may vary by project setup.

* **Original Budget** — the baseline value at contract signing.
* **Approved Changes** — value of approved budget modifications and change orders.
* **Revised Budget** — original plus approved changes.
* **Committed** — value tied to subcontracts and purchase orders.
* **Actual** — costs already incurred (invoices, direct costs).
* **Forecast** — projected total cost at completion.
* **Variance** — revised budget minus forecast. Negative variance is over budget.

## Find a Line Item

* Use the search field to filter by cost code, description, or category.
* Use column filters to narrow by status, division, or owner.
* Use **Export** to download the current view as CSV or PDF.

## Edit Access

Editing budget values, applying modifications, and changing forecast methods requires the Budget Write or Admin permission. Read more in [Manage User Access](/help/articles/manage-permissions).

## Related Articles

* [Budget Line Items](/help/articles/budget-line-items)
* [Change Events](/help/articles/change-events)
* [Direct Costs](/help/articles/direct-costs)