Cashflows in RIB CX
Cashflows in the context of RIB CX refer to the comprehensive management and projection of financial flows within construction projects. These cashflows allow project managers to plan, monitor, and control the financial aspects of their projects efficiently. The cashflow tool within RIB CX is designed to facilitate the detailed tracking of income and expenditures, ensuring that projects remain financially viable and on schedule.
Cashflow management in RIB CX involves forecasting the flow of funds over the project's duration, considering various factors such as payment schedules, incurred costs, and projected income. This ensures that all financial obligations are met without causing cash shortages, which could delay the project. By integrating cashflow management within the broader project management framework of RIB CX, users can achieve a seamless and accurate financial oversight
Configuring Cashflow Control Sheets
New Cashflow Option in Control Sheet Configuration
Users can now create a Cashflow Control Sheet directly from the Control Sheet configuration options.
This feature allows the generation of cashflows specific to individual budgets.
Cashflow Control Sheet Settings
On the Cashflow Control Sheet settings page, users can select a Budget to define the cashflow scope.
The budget selections allows the control sheet to automatically import the rows within the budget into the cashflow control sheetyou ca
You can then select the start and end dates for your cashflow analysis period. This wil determine the months available in your Cashflow Control Sheet for your analysis.
Custom Configuration for Actuals Calculation
Users can configure how "Actuals" are defined within cashflows controlsheet: i.e. which months the values from each claim appear in as the actuals for a particular month.
Users can also select a Date Field to drive monthly cashflow actual values
By default, the Due Date is used.
Alternatively, users can add a custom date field on the claim form, which can be set as the active date for cashflow actions.
Choose between Pending + Approved or Approved Only for which Claim values should be used as actual figures.
Pending + Approved = will include Claims which are pending and approved for a given month using the date field configuration mentioned above
Approved only = will only include claims in an approved status.
This flexibility allows for more accurate cashflow tracking based on organisational preferences.
Multiple Cashflows per Budget
Users can create multiple cashflows for the same budget by setting up a new Cashflow Control Sheet for each instance.
To do this you can click on the Copy option for a cashflow to copy all the settings for a particular Cashflow control sheet.
This supports tracking different cashflow perspectives or timeframes within a single budget.
Cashflow Display in Control Sheet Menu
Once created, each Cashflow Control Sheet appears as a separate menu item under the Control Sheets menu, allowing easy access and management.
Navigate to Contracts Admin → Control Sheets, where a new sub-folder called Cashflows has been added.
This folder is dedicated to cashflow management, enabling quick access within the control sheet structure.
Visibility Based on Permissions
Access to the Cashflows folder is controlled through module matrix permissions.
Only users with the appropriate permissions will be able to view and interact with cashflows.
Single or Multiple Cashflows View
When a user clicks on Cashflows, they will be directed to either:
The single cashflow for the project, if only one exists.
A list of cashflows, if multiple cashflows are available, allowing the user to select and view each as needed.
Cashflow Analysis
The Cashflow page provides a detailed view of cashflows tied to specific budget lines, enabling both automated and manual adjustments to support accurate financial tracking.
Cashflow Lines Based on Budget Lines
The lines and values on the Cashflow page are derived from the budget lines of the selected budget specified in the configuration page.
The cashflow control sheet will display these columns from the budget
Item number
Code (if available)
Line item description
Final Forecast Cost
Certified to Date
Cost to Complete
The next set of columns displayed will be the Cashflow profile type
Start and Finish dates (as configured in the earlier section
The cashflow displays static data by default.
Users can click the Update from Budget button to pull the latest data from the subcontractor budget control, ensuring the cashflow reflects any recent budget updates.
Cashflow Scenario Analysis Profile Types
When conducting cashflow analysis and projects there are 3 options available for each row
S-Curve Analysis
Description: The S-Curve method in cashflow forecasting allows for the visualisation and analysis of cumulative costs over time, typically starting slow, increasing rapidly during the peak construction phase, and then slowing down again as the project nears completion.
Usage: Helps in understanding the overall financial progress and ensuring that spending aligns with project milestones. It adjusts dynamically based on actual costs and forecasts the remaining budget in line with the S-Curve pattern.
S-curve values are configurable. Click here to learn more about how to do this.
Even Distribution
Description: Even distribution spreads the projected costs evenly across the project timeline. This method assumes that costs are incurred uniformly over the project duration.
Usage: Ideal for projects with consistent financial outlays, this method simplifies forecasting and helps in maintaining a steady cashflow, avoiding peaks and troughs in financial requirements.
Manual Distribution
Description: Manual distribution allows project managers to input specific cost values for each period manually. This method provides the highest level of customisation and control over the cashflow forecast.
Usage: Suitable for complex projects with irregular spending patterns, this method accommodates unique financial arrangements and adjustments as the project evolves.
You can apply any of these profile to a row of the Cashflow by simply changing the drop down option. This will adjust the values for the future months based on the option selected
Manual Adjustments
Users can add new lines at the bottom of the cashflow to input manual adjustments.
Positive and negative amounts are supported, providing flexibility for both revenue and expense tracking.
Click on the Append Row option to add a new row
Managing Actuals (Claims)
Based on the configuration provided here the actual values from claims can be added to the Cashflow by clicking on the Update from Budget
Once you include the actual values, the Cost to Complete will be adjusted to reflect the actual values and the cashflow projects will be automatically adjusted based on the remaining months and values for each row Cost to complete column in the cashflow.
Actuals are shown below with adjusted cashflow projects for each month
Variance Analysis
Variances are highlighted in a new column, showing changes in red when there is a difference.
The variance highlighted here is the difference between the Cost to complete value and the projected cashflow data for each row.
Tools Available
Expand/Collapse Rows
Heading rows on the Cashflow page can be expanded or collapsed, allowing users to view or hide detailed line items as needed for a clearer view of overall or specific data.
Bulk Row Operations
Description: Ability to bulk select rows and apply start/end dates or cashflow profiles.
Benefits:
Efficiency: Quickly update multiple lines, saving time on repetitive tasks.
Consistency: Apply uniform changes across multiple data points, ensuring consistency in cashflow projections.
Export and API Access
Description: Cashflow data can be exported to Excel and accessed via REST API.
Benefits:
Accessibility: Easily share cashflow data with external stakeholders or integrate with other systems.
Flexibility: Export data for further analysis or reporting in external tools.
Approval / Snapshot
Description: Cashflows can be approved similar to subcontract control sheets, with an approval button and Excel snapshot saving.
Benefits:
Record Keeping: Maintain a snapshot of approved cashflows for audit and compliance purposes along with using snapshot data for further data manipulation and graphical representation.
Column Filtering
Description: Ability to filter the description column (text column filter).
Copy and Paste Functionality
Description: Users can copy and paste values for individual cells, similar to current control sheets.
Benefits:
Efficiency: Streamline data entry processes, saving time and reducing errors.
Ease of Use: Familiar functionality for users accustomed to spreadsheet interfaces.
Advanced Configurations
S-Curve Configurations
Description: Configurable S-Curve with adjustable intersection and slope values.
Benefits:
Customisability: Fine-tune cashflow projections to more accurately reflect project-specific spending patterns.
Precision: Generate more accurate financial forecasts tailored to the project's cashflow dynamics.
Index Adjustment
Description: Users can adjust index values per month to calculate revised forecasts.
Benefits:
Adaptability: Adjust cashflow projections based on changes in project conditions or financial outlooks.
Accuracy: Ensure forecasts remain realistic and aligned with current expectations.