Commercial protection
Protecting margins through disciplined governance.
Commercial Protection applies owner-side governance to safeguard financial performance and reduce exposure during delivery, operational change or improvement initiatives. It focuses on governing cost drivers, contractual risk and performance variability to maintain margin resilience and protect asset value. Through structured commercial controls, risk oversight and evidence-based decision pathways, it ensures cost, claims and commercial outcomes remain aligned with approved financial intent. The emphasis is on traceable decision-making, controlled cost impacts and strengthening commercial defensibility across complex or volatile operating environments.
OUR FOCUS AREAS
Governed oversight of cost drivers and commercial decisions
Why it matters | Uncontrolled cost growth, scope creep and informal commercial decisions rapidly erode margins and place pressure on cashflow. When cost drivers are poorly governed, minor deviations accumulate and become structural, exposing projects or operations to financial instability. In fluctuating or high-cost environments, weak controls significantly increase risk and reduce confidence in financial reporting and forecasts. |
Our focus | We govern cost structures, change control and commercial decision pathways to ensure cost impacts are visible, justified and aligned with approved financial plans. By applying disciplined oversight and escalation protocols, cost pressures are identified early and managed proactively, preventing drift and protecting financial performance. |
Outcome | Clear visibility of cost drivers, reduced unplanned expenditure and improved commercial discipline, resulting in more predictable financial outcomes and strengthened margin resilience. |
Managing contractual exposure and commercial disputes
Why it matters | Weak contract governance increases exposure to claims, disputes and unplanned cost. Informal contract management and unclear change control create ambiguity, reduce defensibility and increase commercial risk. Over time, this can escalate into material financial and stakeholder impact. |
Our focus | We govern contractual obligations, change mechanisms and claims processes to ensure obligations are understood, risk is managed and entitlement is defensible. Structured oversight supports early identification of claims drivers and reduces escalation through evidence-based decision-making. |
Outcome | Reduced claims exposure, improved contract compliance and enhanced ability to defend commercial positions with confidence and clarity. |
Identifying and governing financial and commercial risk
Why it matters | Without structured risk oversight, financial and commercial exposure becomes hidden or underestimated, increasing vulnerability to cost shocks, schedule extension and margin erosion. Poorly governed exposure undermines both predictability and strategic decision-making. |
Our focus | We apply governance to financial and commercial risk identification, assessment and mitigation. This includes structured reporting, escalation pathways and scenario analysis to support informed decision-making and proactive risk reduction. |
Outcome | Earlier visibility of exposure, stronger financial resilience and more defensible commercial positions, reducing volatility and protecting asset value. |
Preserving long-term asset value and commercial intent
Why it matters | Poor commercial governance can weaken asset value, undermine investment assumptions and reduce lifecycle performance. Without structured oversight, short-term pressures override long-term value protection. |
Our focus | We ensure commercial decisions remain aligned with approved value intent, lifecycle assumptions and strategic objectives. Governance oversight supports traceable decision-making that balances short-term performance with long-term financial sustainability. |
Outcome | Stronger protection of asset value, improved defensibility of financial decisions and sustained commercial performance aligned with long-term owner objectives. |
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Let’s discuss your assets & performance priorities
Independent, owner-side governance to establish control and predictability.
Sarel Blaauw
senior partner
+61 498 785 165