What was the outcome of the preliminary bids for the high school addition project?

The outcome indicating that the preliminary bids were over budget suggests that the total costs proposed by contractors exceed the financial limits set for the project. This is a critical finding as it reflects potential issues in budgeting, project scope, or construction costs. Identifying that bids are over budget requires the project team to analyze the reasons behind the inflated costs, which could include factors like high material costs, labor shortages, or unforeseen design complexities.

Understanding this situation is essential for the project management process, as it will necessitate adjustments, which might include re-evaluating project specifications or seeking additional funding, in order to align the project back within acceptable budgetary constraints. Recognizing that the bids exceeded the budget also signals to the stakeholders that careful consideration is needed moving forward to prevent financial shortfalls later in the project's execution.