Duzkale, A K and Lucko, G (2016) Exposing uncertainty in bid preparation of steel construction cost estimating: I. Conceptual framework and qualitative C-I-V-I-L classification. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 142(10): 04016049, ISSN 0733-9364
Abstract
In construction cost estimating, bid documents - drawings and specifications - are a primary means to communicate design intent to bidders who then extract cost item quantities. However, uncertainties in conveying information affect the accuracy of quantity takeoffs. Therefore, the goal of this research is to explore types of uncertainties that hamper the quantity takeoff process. This text analyzes bid documents, including architectural, structural, and other plans of real-world school projects with structural steel frames in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. Contributions to the body of knowledge are (1) deriving a classification of five major types from 67 minor uncertainties as collected in the Conflicting/Incomplete/Vague/Incorrect/Lack-of-Work-Assignment (C-I-V-I-L) mnemonic; (2) establishing a framework of information flow between bid participants to explain how uncertainties arise; and (3) extracting contradictions between current contract rules to resolve conflicts in bid documents. This research addresses such uncertainties, which can translate into more accurate cost estimates and time savings when building these designs.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | bid accuracy; bid document; bid uncertainty; construction estimating; cost and schedule; quantity takeoff; structural steel |
| Index terms: | time saving, steel frame, cost estimating, steel construction, information flow, conceptual framework, cost estimate, estimating, construction cost, specification, accuracy, bidder, body of knowledge, drawing, bid preparation, documents, construction estimating |
| Subjects: | financial and cost management, structural engineering, bidding, professional development, knowledge management, theoretical framing, technical documentation, contractual condition, time analysis, information systems |
| Topics: | Design Practice, Cost Management, Engineering Principles, Procurement, Time Control, Information Management, Research Practice, Contract Administration, Digital Applications |
| Descriptive scope: | 3 PCA |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here