BEST PRACTICES AND
BENEFITS OF ESTIMATING
TECHNIQUES AND
TECHNOLOGY
Cindy L. Menches, Ph.D., P.E.
Stephen M. Kleps, P.E.
Illinois Institute of Technology
WHAT’S IN THE BEST PRACTICE GUIDE
1. Review of estimating methods: Manual, on -screen,
CAD-based
2. The current estimating landscape (i.e., who’s doing
what)
3. Migrating to CAD-based estimating: Benefits and
challenges
4. Obstacles to adopting CAD-based estimating methods
5. Best practices (…of all three estimating methods)
6. Case studies: Manual, on-screen, CAD-based
estimating
2
THE ESTIMATING LANDSCAPE
PDF/CAD
Frequently
27%
Manual Only
56%
Manual
Occasionally
17%
3
SUBJECTIVELY EXPERIENCED BENEFITS
For PDF and CAD-Based estimating software:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Potential time savings…but will vary with the method
Potential for greater accuracy…and organization
Younger estimators are comfortable with technology
Great presentation value for clients
It’s an extra “tool” in the estimating “toolbox”
4
OBSTACLES TO TECHNOLOGY ADOPTION
For PDF and CAD-Based Estimating Software:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Cost for hardware, software, and training
Skepticism about the magnitude of benefits
Concerns about obsolescence
Misconceptions about integration with existing system
5
OBSTACLES TO TECHNOLOGY ADOPTION
For CAD-Based Estimating Software:
1. Difficulty in obtaining native
CAD files
2. Incompatible CAD files
3. The estimator must know
CAD
6
BEST PRACTICES
Just a few…for more, review the guide
1. Vary the method to optimize
time versus accuracy
2. Estimators are more
satisfied (and perform
better) when they can
choose their own method
3. Begin with one or two
licenses
7
BEST PRACTICES
4. Clean up CAD files first to maximize efficiency
5. Utilize the automatic quantity updating feature
6. Venture into PDF or CAD-based estimating to add
more tools for estimators to use
8
FOR MORE INFORMATION
 Cindy L. Menches, Ph.D., P.E .; cmenches@iit.edu
 Stephen M. Kleps, P.E.; klepste@hawk.iit.edu
9