How to Create Variations and Extensions of Time (EOT)

This guide covers how to create and manage variations and extensions of time (EOTs) in Mastt to track contract changes and their financial and schedule impacts on your construction projects.

Before you start:

• Have your contract details and variation documentation ready
• For EOTs, confirm your contract has completion dates already set

Adding a Variation

Step 1: Navigate to the Variations Form

• Navigate to the Cost module from the left navigation bar
• Choose one of three ways to add a variation:
  • From the Overall page, click the blue + Add button in the upper left corner and select + Add Variation, or
  • Locate the contract you want to add a variation to, click the Action button next to it, and select + Add Variation
  • Click Variations in the top navigation to view your Variation register, then:
    • Click the blue + Add Variation button in the upper left corner, or
    • Select Add Your First Variation in the centre (only visible if you have no variations)

Step 2: Select the Contract and Complete Basic Variation Details

• Enter a Variation Title (required field)
• Select the Varying Contract from the dropdown menu

Note: If you accessed the form via the Actions button next to a contract, it will be pre-selected.

• Choose a Variation Category
• Select the appropriate Status:

Status	Impacts FFC	Payments
Forecast	Yes. Impacts your uncommitted forecast only. Appears in the Uncommitted Column on the Overall Page	No. Does not appear on payment forms or in progress claims.
Pending	Yes. Impacts your uncommitted forecast only. Appears in the Uncommitted Column on the Overall	No. Does not appear on payment forms or in progress claims.
In Principle	Yes. Appears in the Variation column on the Overall Page	Yes. Appears on payment forms and in progress claims.
Approved	Yes. Appears in the Variation column on the Overall Page	Yes. Appears on payment forms and in progress claims.
Rejected	No.	No. Does not appear on payment forms or in progress claims.
Withdrawn	No.	No. Does not appear on payment forms or in progress claims.

Step 3: Add Description and Recommendation

• Click the Description tab below the Variation basic details section
• Enter your recommendation text in the Recommendation field - this appears on Variation Recommendation PDFs only
• Review the Approval Description with pre-filled contractual language - this appears on Variation Approval and Variation Order PDFs
• Toggle the edit switch if you need to customise the approval text

Step 4: Add Optional Reference Information

• Click Additional Fields
• Enter any tracking numbers or identifiers important to your variation management

Step 5: Add Variation Line Items

• Scroll down to the Line Items section
• Click + Add Line Item
• For each line item, enter:
  • Line Item Name: Descriptive name that will appear in correspondence and reports
  • Variation Amount: The cost change amount (positive or negative)
  • Requested Amount: If different from approved amount, enter the initial estimate or request

Step 6: Link Line Items to Contract Line Items

• For each line item you added, click the dropdown under Contract Line Item:
  • Select "Entire Contract" to vary the main contract amount, OR
  • Select a specific contract line item to vary that individual line

Step 7: Save the Variation

• Add any internal notes in the Notes section (optional)
• Drag and drop supporting documentation into the upload area (optional)
• Click the blue Add button in the bottom right corner

Adding an Extension of Time (EOT)

Step 1: Navigate to the Time Impact Tab

• Click Cost in the left navigation menu
• Choose one of three ways to add a variation:
  • From the Overall page, click the blue + Add button in the upper left corner and select + Add Variation or;
  • Find your contract, click the Actions button beside it, and select Add Variation
  • Go to the Variations register and click the blue + Add Variation button
• Select a contract from the Varying Contract dropdown

• Click the Time Impact tab in the Add Variation form

Step 2: Enter Time Extension Details

• Days Claimed (Optional): Enter the number of weekdays being requested for the EOT
• Days Approved (Required): Enter the number of weekdays actually approved
• Comments (Optional): Add relevant notes visible to project users only

Step 3: Add Required Line Item

• Click back to the Contract Line Items tab
• Enter "0" in the Variation Amount field for your contract line item

Step 4: Save the EOT

• Click the blue Add button in the bottom right corner

Result: EOT saves and updates project schedule timelines.

Troubleshooting & FAQs

Q: What if the Time Impact tab isn't showing?

Ensure you've selected a contract from the Varying Contract dropdown first, and that the contract has completion dates already set in the system.

Q: Can I create multiple variations for the same contract line item?

Yes, you can create multiple variations against the same contract line item. Each variation will be tracked separately in your variations register.