5.4: Submission Checklist
- Page ID
- 52231
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)Purpose of This Checklist
This checklist serves as your final quality control step before submitting your cost estimation and budget package. It ensures your work is:
- Complete
- Consistent with previous milestones
- Professionally formatted
- Transparent and traceable
- Ready to be reviewed by stakeholders or sponsors
Your budget is not just a document—it’s a leadership tool. Use this checklist to confirm that what you’re submitting reflects maturity, accountability, and decision-readiness.
SECTION 1 – Cost Categories and Input Summary
| ✔ | Criteria |
|---|---|
| ☐ | All relevant cost types are included: Labor and Non-Labor |
| ☐ | Each cost item is clearly labeled and categorized (Fixed/Variable, One-Time/Recurring) |
| ☐ | Costs are classified as Direct or Indirect where appropriate |
| ☐ | Items are linked to WBS tasks, deliverables, or roles |
| ☐ | Assumptions or data sources are noted (e.g., rate cards, vendor pricing) |
SECTION 2 – Labor Cost Estimation
| ✔ | Criteria |
|---|---|
| ☐ | Labor effort estimates are based on Milestone 3 data |
| ☐ | Hourly rates are appropriate and applied per role (not blended unless justified) |
| ☐ | Tasks are clearly named and traceable to WBS IDs or scope areas |
| ☐ | Total labor cost is accurately calculated (Effort × Rate) |
| ☐ | All roles and time allocations are realistic and documented |
| ☐ | Assumptions (availability, part-time load, internal vs. external) are clearly stated |
SECTION 3 – Non-Labor Cost Estimation
| ✔ | Criteria |
|---|---|
| ☐ | All significant project costs beyond labor are represented (e.g., software, services, equipment) |
| ☐ | Quantity, unit cost, and duration are clearly shown |
| ☐ | Each cost is tied to a project use case or deliverable |
| ☐ | Source or benchmark is cited (e.g., vendor page, past project, market rate) |
| ☐ | Total per line item is accurately calculated and documented |
| ☐ | Recurring vs. one-time costs are differentiated |
SECTION 4 – Total Budget and Allocation Model
| ✔ | Criteria |
|---|---|
| ☐ | Labor and Non-Labor subtotals are presented clearly |
| ☐ | Contingency is shown as a separate, justified line item |
| ☐ | Budget is organized either by category, phase, or milestone |
| ☐ | A clean grand total is clearly stated |
| ☐ | Budget format is easy to scan and ready for executive-level review |
| ☐ | Percentages of total cost (optional but encouraged) are used to show relative spend |
SECTION 5 – Contingency and Funding Narrative
| ✔ | Criteria |
|---|---|
| ☐ | Contingency is calculated based on project risk—not a flat guess |
| ☐ | Assumptions and known risks are briefly explained |
| ☐ | Funding narrative clearly states: |
- What the budget covers
- What uncertainty is accounted for
- What the sponsor is being asked to approve
- | ☐ | Narrative is written in sponsor-facing, professional tone (no academic language)
DOCUMENT FORMATTING & INTEGRITY
| ✔ | Criteria |
|---|---|
| ☐ | All 5 sections are included and clearly labeled |
| ☐ | Tables and figures are neatly formatted and aligned |
| ☐ | Fonts, bullets, and heading levels are consistent |
| ☐ | Units, symbols, and dates are consistent (e.g., $USD, 2025) |
| ☐ | No placeholder content or unexplained abbreviations |
| ☐ | Document is proofread, professional in tone, and free of typos |
SUBMISSION LOGISTICS
| ✔ | Criteria |
|---|---|
| ☐ | File is saved as .docx or .pdf, per instructions |
| ☐ | File name follows convention: Milestone4_Budget_YourTeamName.docx |
| ☐ | Submission is on time and uploaded to the correct platform or folder |
| ☐ | All team member names (if group project) are listed on the title page |
Final Review Prompts (Optional Self-Check)
- Would a sponsor understand what you’re asking for—without a walkthrough?
- Would your team be able to defend the logic behind each number?
- Have you priced everything your team plans to do?
- Is there enough clarity for someone else to take this budget and build a project proposal from it?
If the answer to all four is yes—your milestone is ready.