Better management of construction cost estimating is clearly needed. Information must be produced in a consistent and timely manner. Construction cost estimating is NOT a commodity and is important to the success or failure of any repair, renovation, maintenance, or construction project.
Coordinated, collaborative, construction cost estimating based upon LEAN best management practices, business rules, and standards is critical to productivity improvement, information reuse, and better project results.
“Construction cost estimators must produce information using standardized processes and proven standards and methods to ensure higher quality and consistent form. Information must be formatted so that is can easily be used and reused without change or interpretation.”
Individuals, offices, teams that refuse to work collaboratively, and/or change proven processes in an ‘ad hoc’ manner are disruptive and hinder productivity and organizational efficiency.
Cost estimators who insist on doing things “my way” are abundant, but losing ground in an era when every organization must “do more with less”.
The adoption of collaborative construction cost estimating requires knowledge, trust, and the implementation of standardized data architectures and processes based upon proven success.
Standardization does NOT mean remaining static. Just the opposite. LEAN methods require ongoing input, monitoring, and continuous improvement.
Tools are equally important. Tools include collaborative software, ongoing training, and cost databases that leverage structured data architectures (i.e. Masterformat, Uniformat, Omniclass, etc.). The exclusive use of spreadsheets prohibits any true form of collaboration, information sharing/reuse, or standardization. Beware of any construction cost estimator who insists on only using spreadsheets or claims to have a “special sauce”, and or insists on doing things “my way”.
Experience, experience, and experience are equally important to construction cost estimating. Knowing what it takes to actually complete a job in a specific environment, etc. is a given. This experience, must however, be captured, shared, and leveraged in order to achieve any measurable productivity gains. Thus, the requirement for standardization, collaboration, business rules, common terms and data architectures, and supporting/enabling collaborative technology must be met.
The benefits of collaborative construction cost estimating include fewer delays and disputes among stakeholders, better management of project risk and better understanding of where costs are being incurred.
LEAN Construction Project Delivery Methods - Job Order Contracting, IPD, 5D BIM 