Overschrijding

Overschrijding is a Dutch term meaning the act or result of exceeding a limit, boundary, or standard. It is used across domains, including budgeting, scheduling, and compliance. The rough English equivalents are overrun, breach, or exceedance. The term is derived from the prefix over- meaning beyond and the verb overschrijden, meaning to cross over or go beyond.

In project management, tijdsoverschrijding (time overrun) occurs when a project takes longer than planned; budgetoverschrijding (budget overrun) when costs exceed the approved budget. In finance, overschrijding can describe spending that surpasses the budget or forecast. In law or governance, there can be normoverschrijding or standard violation. The concept is used to describe performance that fails to meet established targets or constraints.

Measurement and management: Overschrijding is assessed using variance analysis, comparing actual values to plans. Common drivers include underestimated costs, scope changes, delays, and inflation. Understanding the underlying causes helps in risk assessment and decision making. Mitigation strategies include more accurate forecasting, tighter scope control, contingency reserves, phased spending, and contractual provisions to allocate responsibility for cost or schedule overruns.

Example: A construction project planned at €10 million and 24 months ends at €12 million and 28 months, illustrating both budgetoverschrijding and tijdsoverschrijding. See also overrun, deviation, and scope creep.