Why Life Sciences are Investing More in Project Controls
The life sciences sector is moving at pace. Companies are building new facilities, scaling manufacturing, upgrading laboratories, and embracing automation faster than ever before. With so much investment going into complex capital projects, the pressure to deliver on time, on budget, and to strict regulatory standards has never been higher.
This is exactly where project controls become so valuable. It brings the structure, visibility, and discipline needed to keep programmes on track, helping companies avoid delays, manage costs, and meet the regulatory expectations that shape every stage of project delivery.
This blog explores what project controls is, why it matters, and why life sciences companies must invest in it to protect timelines, manage risk, and improve delivery outcomes.
What Are Project Controls within Life Sciences?
Project Controls brings together the key activities that underpin successful delivery of capital projects. This includes cost management, project planning, risk management, schedule control, change governance and project reporting. It creates transparency and ensures that every element of the programme aligns with the organisation’s goals and regulatory responsibilities.
In life sciences, where companies must meet GMP, GxP, FDA, EMA and MHRA requirements, Project Controls helps maintain full traceability, structured documentation and an overall understanding of how each decision impacts compliance, safety and operational readiness.
Preventing Cost Overruns in Capital Projects
Life sciences capital projects are significant investments. New biomanufacturing facilities, vaccine plants, aseptic production areas, and specialist laboratories can cost hundreds of millions of pounds. Without strong Project Controls, organisations risk:
- Cost escalation
- Inaccurate forecasts
- Supplier delays
- Misalignment between contractors and internal teams
Effective Project Controls delivers:
- Real-time visibility of project costs
- Early forecasting of financial risks
- Stronger procurement governance
- Better management of long‑lead equipment
For senior leaders, this means greater financial certainty and reduced exposure to risk.
Supporting GMP and GxP Compliance
Compliance is central to life sciences project delivery. Each activity feeds into future inspections, audits and product safety.
Project Controls supports compliance by:
- Maintaining rigorous and audit-ready documentation
- Overseeing formal change control
- Aligning construction with CQV requirements
- Ensuring teams track and deliver against regulatory milestones.
For companies hiring into Pharmacovigilance or Validation Engineering roles, this structure helps protect the organisation from compliance failures.
Improving Time to Market for New Facilities
Speed is a critical competitive advantage in pharmaceuticals and biotech. Any delay in facility construction or validation can disrupt product launches, slow clinical trial progression, shorten patent exclusivity periods, and reduce commercial opportunities.
Project Controls helps maintain schedule certainty by focusing on critical path management, resource coordination, contractor performance, and overall programme visibility. This results in a more predictable journey from design to operational readiness, supporting companies across the full range of Biotech and pharmaceutical jobs.
Boosting Long-Term Value
Strong project controls also improve how companies collaborate with contractors and suppliers. With clear expectations and structured reporting, delivery becomes more reliable, and the performance data gathered across multiple projects helps organisations select better partners and manage long‑lead equipment more efficiently. This creates a more predictable supply chain and reduces delays that can impact projects.
At the same time, accurate forecasting and transparent reporting strengthen internal governance. Boards and investors gain greater confidence in project performance, and leaders are better equipped to make informed financial and regulatory decisions.
Project controls are essential for building long‑term organisational resilience. As the life sciences sector evolves with modern technologies, tighter regulations and greater reliance on automation, companies need frameworks that can manage rising complexity. A strong project controls function enables teams to scale delivery, enter new markets and run complex capital programmes with greater confidence and consistency.
Next Steps
At QCS Staffing, we specialise in connecting skilled professionals with high‑growth, life‑changing sectors including Life Sciences, Renewable Energy, Data Centres, and IT. These industries all rely on strong project controls expertise to deliver complex, high‑value projects on time and within budget.
If you’re looking to advance your career in project controls or wider life sciences roles, we’re here to help. Explore our latest Life Sciences vacancies and discover opportunities that match your skills and ambitions.
Can’t find the right role today? Submit your CV, and our specialist consultants will connect you with upcoming opportunities that align with your experience.
