Earthwork volumes are one of the most important factors in the delivery of a majorcivil project. From when feasibility estimates are generated at the concept stage ofa project, until when volumes become a vital component of the contractualagreements between owners and contractors it is essential they are within areasonable range of accuracy.MX(moss) road design software is a commonly used program for major highwayprojects. It is generally assumed that volume errors are contained within the roaddesign software used to determine these volumes. This paper will undertakeanalysis the accuracy of earthworks volume calculations from MX(moss).The approach taken was to take different simplified road profiles of a knownvolume and model hem in MX(moss). The mathematical and MX(moss) volume cannow be compared and error percentages calculated. For additional analysistraditional and more complex MX(moss) triangulation volume techniques whereused. Ranking of these results will unable different project management techniquesto be applied and the risk to be accessed.The finding of the technical review of MX(moss) showed that different volumecalculations do produce different errors. However to give the results someperspective in the delivery of a project some research of previous projectmanagement theory and qualitative analysis of senior road engineers andmanagers was undertaken. The survey results indicated some simple proceduralitems and changing trends in the industry to higher degrees of error beingacceptable during construction. Overall the results where under the error limitsdefined for various stages of a project.The results from the above quantitative and qualitative analysis enables seniorexecutives and governments making ‘go’ or ‘no go’ decisions during feasibilityand contract administrators greater understanding of the errors and risks in theredecision making. Feasibility stages of a project where high levels of accuracy arenot needed, to the other end of the scale where high accuracy is need at the detailedstages of a project so managers producing cost plans and contracts can be bettermanaged. The data presented in this paper reduces the risk for these people.Benefits from this study include reduced risk and achieving greater consistencywithin a design office. Recommendations in this paper could be used to form designchecklists or part of a quality assurance system. Recommendations also includereference to developing a risk adverse culture where the risk of getting the wrongnumbers is understood.