Estimated vs actual hours: the data that improves the next project

Break the project into phases: preparation, production, meetings, revisions, administration and delivery. One number cannot explain where the margin disappeared.

Connect every session to a client, project and task. You can then see whether the deviation came from a revision, a poorly estimated phase or work that was never included in the quote.

When a phase repeatedly exceeds its estimate, adjust scope, rate, planned time or the approval process before the next project starts.