Authorized Unpriced Work (AUW)
EVM Terms
Reviewed by forProject Technology - updated Sep 2026
Quick definition: Authorized Unpriced Work (AUW) is new work scope the customer has formally authorized and has been estimated, but hasn't yet negotiated a final, definitized price for.
AUW arises when a customer directs new work to begin before price negotiations for that scope are complete. The work is real and estimated, but not yet reflected in the negotiated contract cost. Once negotiations conclude, that value moves from AUW into the priced, negotiated contract.
What this means for you
AUW lets work start promptly on legitimately authorized scope changes without waiting for lengthy price negotiations, keeping schedules moving. It still needs careful tracking, since it represents budget that exists operationally but isn't yet part of the formal contract price.
Also known as
AUW or ECAUW (Estimated Cost of Authorized Unpriced Work)
Used in
Contract Budget Base
Related job aid
How Contract Price, Cost and Budget Fit Together →FAQ
Is AUW work that hasn't been approved yet?
No. It has been formally authorized by the customer. What's missing is a negotiated price, not approval.
What happens to AUW once a price is negotiated?
It converts into priced, negotiated contract value and is no longer tracked as "unpriced."
Definition maintained by forProject Technology.
© 2026 forProject Technology, Inc.
© 2026 forProject Technology, Inc.
