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Other Direct Cost

Other Direct Cost (ODC)

EVM Terms Reviewed by forProject Technology - updated Sep 2026
Quick definition: Other Direct Costs (ODC) are costs charged directly to a project that don't fall under the main direct cost categories of labor or material.

ODC is essentially a catch-all direct cost category — things like travel or direct-charged equipment that are billed straight to the project but aren't labor or material. It's one of several Elements of Cost tracked separately for budgeting and reporting.

Why it matters

Separating ODC from labor and material gives better visibility into what's actually driving project costs, which matters for accurately building and tracking budgets at the Control Account level.

Also known as
N/A
Used in
Elements of Cost

FAQ

Is ODC the same as Direct Costs?
ODC is a subset of Direct Costs — specifically the direct costs that aren't labor or material.
What's an example of an Other Direct Cost?
Common examples include travel expenses or special equipment purchased and charged directly to the project.
Definition maintained by forProject Technology.
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