New Horizons New Horizons Project Management Academy Project Management Academy Six Sigma Online Six Sigma Online TCM Security TCM Security TRACOM TRACOM Velopi Velopi Watermark Learning Watermark Learning
Educate 360
Educate 360 Educate 360
Project Management Academy
Using Contingency and Schedule Reserve in Your Projects

Using Contingency and Schedule Reserve in Your Projects

Nearly every project comes with surprises that can delay or disrupt the work. Project Management Professional (PMP)® credential holders know this and spend time considering possible risks as they work through the project’s planning phase. Other surprises are unknown because they may exist outside the realm of risks identified by the project management team.

This distinction is what separates management reserves, including a schedule reserve, from contingency reserves. Management reserves cover risks that were unplanned and not anticipated — like a key vendor backing out mid-project or a significant delivery delay due to material shortages. Contingency reserves cover the risks already identified by the project manager, such as the cost of materials increasing.

Two of the most common challenges project managers face are time and money. Even when project managers can anticipate some disruptions, they may not know when or how they will crop up. That’s when they turn to the reserves they have in place to keep the project on track and within budget.

Understanding how schedules and contingency reserves work is an important skill for a project manager. Questions about management reserves may appear on the Project Management Professional® exam, so it’s helpful to review what schedule and contingency reserves are and how project managers use them.

On this page:

  • Schedule Reserve
  • Contingency Reserve
  • Schedule Reserve vs. Contingency Reserve
  • Schedule Reserve PMP: Why This Matters
Free Course on Emotional Intelligence

Free Emotional Intelligence PDU

Develop your Emotional Intelligence as well as your team members in this Free PDU Course!

Schedule Reserve

Schedule reserve refers to the amount of time built into the schedule to accommodate unforeseen delays in the project schedule. Building in this extra time is an essential component of project planning because it allows for unexpected delays that can happen throughout the project.

For example, inclement weather may make it impossible to work at an outdoor site or disrupts the communication system between remote workers. When this happens, they won’t be able to complete scheduled tasks until the issue is resolved. Sometimes a key worker with specialized knowledge or skill quits the project before completing their assigned tasks. In this case, the project manager needs time to hire a new person and onboard and potentially train them.

Schedule reserves give the project manager some breathing room and help them avoid changing the project schedule. Making adjustments to the schedule and deliverables is not always possible if workers and equipment will not be available during the extension period. This creates a new risk, also known as a secondary risk, of disrupting the project’s progress.

Not only does a schedule reserve account for these delays, but it also helps maintain the overall, planned quality of the project. It forces the project manager to spend more time on planning and preparation. This reduces the stress levels for themselves and the team when complications arise.

Contingency Reserve

A contingency reserve is the amount of money set aside in the budget to cover unexpected costs during the project. Including this reserve is important for a project because it creates a cushion for costs that could otherwise send the project over budget.

Say, for example, a piece of equipment breaks during the project and must be repaired to keep the project on schedule. The project manager can use the contingency reserve to pay for the repair without adjusting the budget.

Like the schedule reserve, the contingency reserve is included in the overall budget and normally expressed as a percentage. You can use one of several methods to calculate the reserve. For small projects, taking a percentage of the overall project baseline (i.e. 3% or 10%) and adding that amount as a reserve may be sufficient. Other options require calculating individual project risks and assigning values to them that can then be incorporated into the overall schedule and budget. These more advanced methods are generally reserved for large or complex projects.


Studying for the PMP Exam?


Contingency Reserve vs. Schedule Reserve

Both schedule and contingency reserves share some similarities. They’re both included in the project’s overall budget. They are also generally listed as a percentage of the time or money expected to complete the project.

Where they differ is in their usage. Schedule reserve specifically refers to potential schedule delays in the project, while contingency reserves are a component of the overall project budget. This also affects when they are used. Since schedule reserve deals with time, it’s used while the project is still active. Contingency reserves are planned, potentially adjusted, and drawn upon throughout the project.

Schedule Reserve PMP: Why This Matters

An adequate reserve is a necessity for any project. Failing to complete reserve planning can contribute to project failure or significant schedule and budget overruns. It’s not possible to predict every complication that can arise during a project. However, it is possible to anticipate delays and disruptions and account for them in the overall schedule and budget.

Upcoming PMP Certification Training – Live & Online Classes

NameDatePlace
PMP Certification TrainingSep 2,3,4,5
8:30am-6:00pm
Stafford, VAView Details
PMP Certification TrainingOct 13,14,15,16
8:30am-6:00pm
Stafford, VAView Details
PMP Certification TrainingDec 1,2,3,4
8:30am-6:00pm
Stafford, VAView Details
PMP Certification TrainingJul 21-24 & 28-31
6:00pm-10:30pm
Online - Eastern Standard Time (EST)View Details
PMP Certification TrainingJul 21,22,23,24
8:30am-6:00pm
Online - Eastern Standard Time (EST)View Details
PMP Certification TrainingJul 21-24 & 28-31
8:00am-12:30pm
Online - Eastern Standard Time (EST)View Details
PMP Certification TrainingJul 21,22,23,24
8:30am-6:00pm
Online - Eastern Standard Time (EST)View Details
PMP Certification TrainingJul 28,29,30,31
8:30am-6:00pm
Online - Eastern Standard Time (EST)View Details
PMP Certification TrainingJul 28-31 & Aug 4-7
1:00pm-5:30pm
Online - Eastern Standard Time (EST)View Details
PMP Certification TrainingJul 31, Aug 1 & 7,8
8:30am-6:00pm
Online - Eastern Standard Time (EST)View Details
PMP Certification TrainingAug 4-7 & 11-14
8:00am-12:30pm
Online - Eastern Standard Time (EST)View Details
PMP Certification TrainingAug 4,5,6,7
8:30am-6:00pm
Online - Eastern Standard Time (EST)View Details
PMP Certification TrainingAug 4-7 & 11-14
6:00pm-10:30pm
Online - Eastern Standard Time (EST)View Details
PMP Certification TrainingAug 9,10 & 16,17
8:30am-6:00pm
Online - Eastern Standard Time (EST)View Details
PMP Certification TrainingAug 11,12,13,14
8:30am-6:00pm
Online - Eastern Standard Time (EST)View Details
PMP Certification TrainingAug 12,13 & 19,20
8:30am-6:00pm
Online - Eastern Standard Time (EST)View Details
PMP Certification TrainingAug 16,17 & 23,24
8:30am-6:00pm
Online - Eastern Standard Time (EST)View Details
PMP Certification TrainingAug 18-21 & 25-28
6:00pm-10:30pm
Online - Eastern Standard Time (EST)View Details
PMP Certification TrainingAug 18,19,20,21
8:30am-6:00pm
Online - Eastern Standard Time (EST)View Details
PMP Certification TrainingAug 18-21 & 25-28
8:00am-12:30pm
Online - Eastern Standard Time (EST)View Details
PMP Certification TrainingAug 18-21 & 25-28
1:00pm-5:30pm
Online - Eastern Standard Time (EST)View Details
PMP Certification TrainingAug 21,22 & 28,29
8:30am-6:00pm
Online - Eastern Standard Time (EST)View Details
PMP Certification TrainingAug 25,26,27,28
8:30am-6:00pm
Online - Eastern Standard Time (EST)View Details
PMP Certification TrainingSep 6,7 & 13,14
8:30am-6:00pm
Online - Eastern Standard Time (EST)View Details
PMP Certification TrainingSep 8-11 & 15-18
1:00pm-5:30pm
Online - Eastern Standard Time (EST)View Details
PMP Certification TrainingSep 8,9,10,11
8:30am-6:00pm
Online - Eastern Standard Time (EST)View Details
PMP Certification TrainingSep 13,14 & 20,21
8:30am-6:00pm
Online - Eastern Standard Time (EST)View Details
PMP Certification TrainingSep 15,16,17,18
8:30am-6:00pm
Online - Eastern Standard Time (EST)View Details
PMP Certification TrainingSep 15-18 & 22-25
8:00am-12:30pm
Online - Eastern Standard Time (EST)View Details
PMP Certification TrainingSep 16,17 & 23,24
8:30am-6:00pm
Online - Eastern Standard Time (EST)View Details
PMP Certification TrainingSep 22,23,24,25
8:30am-6:00pm
Online - Eastern Standard Time (EST)View Details
PMP Certification TrainingSep 22-25 & 29-Oct 2
6:00pm-10:30pm
Online - Eastern Standard Time (EST)View Details
PMP Certification TrainingSep 27,28 & Oct 4,5
8:30am-6:00pm
Online - Eastern Standard Time (EST)View Details
PMP Certification TrainingSep 29-Oct 2 & 6-9
8:00am-12:30pm
Online - Eastern Standard Time (EST)View Details
PMP Certification TrainingSep 29,30, Oct 1,2
8:30am-6:00pm
Online - Eastern Standard Time (EST)View Details
PMP Certification TrainingOct 2,3 & 9,10
8:30am-6:00pm
Online - Eastern Standard Time (EST)View Details
PMP Certification TrainingOct 6-9 & 13-16
6:00pm-10:30pm
Online - Eastern Standard Time (EST)View Details
PMP Certification TrainingOct 6,7,8,9
8:30am-6:00pm
Online - Eastern Standard Time (EST)View Details
PMP Certification TrainingOct 11,12 & 18,19
8:30am-6:00pm
Online - Eastern Standard Time (EST)View Details
PMP Certification TrainingOct 13-16 & 20-23
8:00am-12:30pm
Online - Eastern Standard Time (EST)View Details
PMP Certification TrainingOct 13,14,15,16
8:30am-6:00pm
Online - Eastern Standard Time (EST)View Details
PMP Certification TrainingOct 18,19 & 25,26
8:30am-6:00pm
Online - Eastern Standard Time (EST)View Details
PMP Certification TrainingOct 20-23 & 27-30
6:00pm-10:30pm
Online - Eastern Standard Time (EST)View Details
PMP Certification TrainingOct 20,21,22,23
8:30am-6:00pm
Online - Eastern Standard Time (EST)View Details
PMP Certification TrainingOct 20-23 & 27-30
1:00pm-5:30pm
Online - Eastern Standard Time (EST)View Details
PMP Certification TrainingOct 21,22 & 28,29
8:30am-6:00pm
Online - Eastern Standard Time (EST)View Details
PMP Certification TrainingOct 23,24 & 30,31
8:30am-6:00pm
Online - Eastern Standard Time (EST)View Details
PMP Certification TrainingOct 25,26 & Nov 1,2
8:30am-6:00pm
Online - Eastern Standard Time (EST)View Details
PMP Certification TrainingOct 27,28,29,30
8:30am-6:00pm
Online - Eastern Standard Time (EST)View Details
PMP Certification TrainingOct 27-31 & Nov 3-6
8:00am-12:30pm
Online - Eastern Standard Time (EST)View Details
PMP Certification TrainingNov 1,2 & 8,9
8:30am-6:00pm
Online - Eastern Standard Time (EST)View Details
PMP Certification TrainingNov 3-6 & 10-13
6:00pm-10:30pm
Online - Eastern Standard Time (EST)View Details
PMP Certification TrainingNov 3,4,5,6
8:30am-6:00pm
Online - Eastern Standard Time (EST)View Details
PMP Certification TrainingNov 8,9 & 15,16
8:30am-6:00pm
Online - Eastern Standard Time (EST)View Details
PMP Certification TrainingNov 10-13 & 17-20
1:00pm-5:30pm
Online - Eastern Standard Time (EST)View Details
PMP Certification TrainingNov 10-13 & 17-20
8:00am-12:30pm
Online - Eastern Standard Time (EST)View Details
PMP Certification TrainingNov 10,11,12,13
8:30am-6:00pm
Online - Eastern Standard Time (EST)View Details
PMP Certification TrainingNov 11,12 & 18,19
8:30am-6:00pm
Online - Eastern Standard Time (EST)View Details
PMP Certification TrainingNov 13,14 & 20,21
8:30am-6:00pm
Online - Eastern Standard Time (EST)View Details
PMP Certification TrainingNov 17,18,19,20
8:30am-6:00pm
Online - Eastern Standard Time (EST)View Details
PMP Certification TrainingNov 17,18,19,20
8:30am-6:00pm
Online - Eastern Standard Time (EST)View Details
PMP Certification TrainingDec 1,2,3,4
8:30am-6:00pm
Online - Eastern Standard Time (EST)View Details
PMP Certification TrainingDec 6,7 & 13,14
8:30am-6:00pm
Online - Eastern Standard Time (EST)View Details
PMP Certification TrainingDec 8,9,10,11
8:30am-6:00pm
Online - Eastern Standard Time (EST)View Details
PMP Certification TrainingDec 8-11 & 15-18
6:00pm-10:30pm
Online - Eastern Standard Time (EST)View Details
PMP Certification TrainingDec 8-11 & 15-18
8:00am-12:30pm
Online - Eastern Standard Time (EST)View Details
PMP Certification TrainingDec 8-11 & 15-18
1:00pm-5:30pm
Online - Eastern Standard Time (EST)View Details
PMP Certification TrainingDec 9,10 & 16,17
8:30am-6:00pm
Online - Eastern Standard Time (EST)View Details
PMP Certification TrainingDec 11,12 & 18,19
8:30am-6:00pm
Online - Eastern Standard Time (EST)View Details
PMP Certification TrainingDec 15,16,17,18
8:30am-6:00pm
Online - Eastern Standard Time (EST)View Details
PMP Certification Training
Sep 2,3,4,5 8:30am-6:00pm
Stafford, VA
PMP Certification Training
Oct 13,14,15,16 8:30am-6:00pm
Stafford, VA
PMP Certification Training
Dec 1,2,3,4 8:30am-6:00pm
Stafford, VA
PMP Certification Training
Jul 21-24 & 28-31 6:00pm-10:30pm
Online - Eastern Standard Time (EST)
PMP Certification Training
Jul 21,22,23,24 8:30am-6:00pm
Online - Eastern Standard Time (EST)
PMP Certification Training
Jul 21-24 & 28-31 8:00am-12:30pm
Online - Eastern Standard Time (EST)
PMP Certification Training
Jul 21,22,23,24 8:30am-6:00pm
Online - Eastern Standard Time (EST)
PMP Certification Training
Jul 28,29,30,31 8:30am-6:00pm
Online - Eastern Standard Time (EST)
PMP Certification Training
Jul 28-31 & Aug 4-7 1:00pm-5:30pm
Online - Eastern Standard Time (EST)
PMP Certification Training
Jul 31, Aug 1 & 7,8 8:30am-6:00pm
Online - Eastern Standard Time (EST)
PMP Certification Training
Aug 4-7 & 11-14 8:00am-12:30pm
Online - Eastern Standard Time (EST)
PMP Certification Training
Aug 4,5,6,7 8:30am-6:00pm
Online - Eastern Standard Time (EST)
PMP Certification Training
Aug 4-7 & 11-14 6:00pm-10:30pm
Online - Eastern Standard Time (EST)
PMP Certification Training
Aug 9,10 & 16,17 8:30am-6:00pm
Online - Eastern Standard Time (EST)
PMP Certification Training
Aug 11,12,13,14 8:30am-6:00pm
Online - Eastern Standard Time (EST)
PMP Certification Training
Aug 12,13 & 19,20 8:30am-6:00pm
Online - Eastern Standard Time (EST)
PMP Certification Training
Aug 16,17 & 23,24 8:30am-6:00pm
Online - Eastern Standard Time (EST)
PMP Certification Training
Aug 18-21 & 25-28 6:00pm-10:30pm
Online - Eastern Standard Time (EST)
PMP Certification Training
Aug 18,19,20,21 8:30am-6:00pm
Online - Eastern Standard Time (EST)
PMP Certification Training
Aug 18-21 & 25-28 8:00am-12:30pm
Online - Eastern Standard Time (EST)
PMP Certification Training
Aug 18-21 & 25-28 1:00pm-5:30pm
Online - Eastern Standard Time (EST)
PMP Certification Training
Aug 21,22 & 28,29 8:30am-6:00pm
Online - Eastern Standard Time (EST)
PMP Certification Training
Aug 25,26,27,28 8:30am-6:00pm
Online - Eastern Standard Time (EST)
PMP Certification Training
Sep 6,7 & 13,14 8:30am-6:00pm
Online - Eastern Standard Time (EST)
PMP Certification Training
Sep 8-11 & 15-18 1:00pm-5:30pm
Online - Eastern Standard Time (EST)
PMP Certification Training
Sep 8,9,10,11 8:30am-6:00pm
Online - Eastern Standard Time (EST)
PMP Certification Training
Sep 13,14 & 20,21 8:30am-6:00pm
Online - Eastern Standard Time (EST)
PMP Certification Training
Sep 15,16,17,18 8:30am-6:00pm
Online - Eastern Standard Time (EST)
PMP Certification Training
Sep 15-18 & 22-25 8:00am-12:30pm
Online - Eastern Standard Time (EST)
PMP Certification Training
Sep 16,17 & 23,24 8:30am-6:00pm
Online - Eastern Standard Time (EST)
PMP Certification Training
Sep 22,23,24,25 8:30am-6:00pm
Online - Eastern Standard Time (EST)
PMP Certification Training
Sep 22-25 & 29-Oct 2 6:00pm-10:30pm
Online - Eastern Standard Time (EST)
PMP Certification Training
Sep 27,28 & Oct 4,5 8:30am-6:00pm
Online - Eastern Standard Time (EST)
PMP Certification Training
Sep 29-Oct 2 & 6-9 8:00am-12:30pm
Online - Eastern Standard Time (EST)
PMP Certification Training
Sep 29,30, Oct 1,2 8:30am-6:00pm
Online - Eastern Standard Time (EST)
PMP Certification Training
Oct 2,3 & 9,10 8:30am-6:00pm
Online - Eastern Standard Time (EST)
PMP Certification Training
Oct 6-9 & 13-16 6:00pm-10:30pm
Online - Eastern Standard Time (EST)
PMP Certification Training
Oct 6,7,8,9 8:30am-6:00pm
Online - Eastern Standard Time (EST)
PMP Certification Training
Oct 11,12 & 18,19 8:30am-6:00pm
Online - Eastern Standard Time (EST)
PMP Certification Training
Oct 13-16 & 20-23 8:00am-12:30pm
Online - Eastern Standard Time (EST)
PMP Certification Training
Oct 13,14,15,16 8:30am-6:00pm
Online - Eastern Standard Time (EST)
PMP Certification Training
Oct 18,19 & 25,26 8:30am-6:00pm
Online - Eastern Standard Time (EST)
PMP Certification Training
Oct 20-23 & 27-30 6:00pm-10:30pm
Online - Eastern Standard Time (EST)
PMP Certification Training
Oct 20,21,22,23 8:30am-6:00pm
Online - Eastern Standard Time (EST)
PMP Certification Training
Oct 20-23 & 27-30 1:00pm-5:30pm
Online - Eastern Standard Time (EST)
PMP Certification Training
Oct 21,22 & 28,29 8:30am-6:00pm
Online - Eastern Standard Time (EST)
PMP Certification Training
Oct 23,24 & 30,31 8:30am-6:00pm
Online - Eastern Standard Time (EST)
PMP Certification Training
Oct 25,26 & Nov 1,2 8:30am-6:00pm
Online - Eastern Standard Time (EST)
PMP Certification Training
Oct 27,28,29,30 8:30am-6:00pm
Online - Eastern Standard Time (EST)
PMP Certification Training
Oct 27-31 & Nov 3-6 8:00am-12:30pm
Online - Eastern Standard Time (EST)
PMP Certification Training
Nov 1,2 & 8,9 8:30am-6:00pm
Online - Eastern Standard Time (EST)
PMP Certification Training
Nov 3-6 & 10-13 6:00pm-10:30pm
Online - Eastern Standard Time (EST)
PMP Certification Training
Nov 3,4,5,6 8:30am-6:00pm
Online - Eastern Standard Time (EST)
PMP Certification Training
Nov 8,9 & 15,16 8:30am-6:00pm
Online - Eastern Standard Time (EST)
PMP Certification Training
Nov 10-13 & 17-20 1:00pm-5:30pm
Online - Eastern Standard Time (EST)
PMP Certification Training
Nov 10-13 & 17-20 8:00am-12:30pm
Online - Eastern Standard Time (EST)
PMP Certification Training
Nov 10,11,12,13 8:30am-6:00pm
Online - Eastern Standard Time (EST)
PMP Certification Training
Nov 11,12 & 18,19 8:30am-6:00pm
Online - Eastern Standard Time (EST)
PMP Certification Training
Nov 13,14 & 20,21 8:30am-6:00pm
Online - Eastern Standard Time (EST)
PMP Certification Training
Nov 17,18,19,20 8:30am-6:00pm
Online - Eastern Standard Time (EST)
PMP Certification Training
Nov 17,18,19,20 8:30am-6:00pm
Online - Eastern Standard Time (EST)
PMP Certification Training
Dec 1,2,3,4 8:30am-6:00pm
Online - Eastern Standard Time (EST)
PMP Certification Training
Dec 6,7 & 13,14 8:30am-6:00pm
Online - Eastern Standard Time (EST)
PMP Certification Training
Dec 8,9,10,11 8:30am-6:00pm
Online - Eastern Standard Time (EST)
PMP Certification Training
Dec 8-11 & 15-18 6:00pm-10:30pm
Online - Eastern Standard Time (EST)
PMP Certification Training
Dec 8-11 & 15-18 8:00am-12:30pm
Online - Eastern Standard Time (EST)
PMP Certification Training
Dec 8-11 & 15-18 1:00pm-5:30pm
Online - Eastern Standard Time (EST)
PMP Certification Training
Dec 9,10 & 16,17 8:30am-6:00pm
Online - Eastern Standard Time (EST)
PMP Certification Training
Dec 11,12 & 18,19 8:30am-6:00pm
Online - Eastern Standard Time (EST)
PMP Certification Training
Dec 15,16,17,18 8:30am-6:00pm
Online - Eastern Standard Time (EST)


Author profile
PMA Logo
Erin Aldridge, PMP, PMI-ACP, & CSPO
Director of Product Development at
Scroll to Top