Olatunji, O A and Sher, W (2015) Estimating in geometric 3D CAD. Journal of Financial Management of Property and Construction, 20(1), pp. 24-49. ISSN 1366-4387
Abstract
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to elicit the activities in geometric 3D computer-aided design (CAD) estimating. Construction estimators usually target the structural integrity of data underlying project designs while measuring quantities and developing estimates. However, there are different ways to this. There is considerable evidence to suggest substantial distinction between data structuring in geometric and parametric CAD (building information modelling). Each of these platforms also appeals to estimators in the various practice domains differently. Regardless, the developments in the use of geometric and parametric CAD for design and management purposes have been rapid. Design/methodology/approach – The study focuses on the various perspectives within the different construction business domains. Interviews, focus group discussions and direct observation methods were used to explore data on estimating activities in 3D CAD from two public organizations, two large contracting firms, two quantity surveying consulting practices, two specialist-project companies and four software development and vending firms. These involved 17 middle-top management estimators who have had extensive experience in the industry. As the activities were elicited, participants were able to ascribe relative importance to each of the activities, and these were logically compared across the different practice domains. Findings – Thirty-one activities were identified as the components of estimators' procedures leading to reliable outcomes in estimating 3D CAD designs. Logical correlations were discussed through extant literature towards forming a centroid model which could be used for numerous industry applications, including software development, knowledge transfer between organizations, employees' hands-on training, curriculum design for academic institutions and as a policy framework for professional institutions on estimating practice. Further areas of research were also highlighted. Originality/value – This work is an original piece. It is neither published nor under consideration elsewhere.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | CAD; estimating |
| Index terms: | platform, interview, estimator, surveying, estimating, evidence, relative importance, knowledge transfer, focus group, top management, building information modelling, computer aided design, methodology, construction estimator, direct observation, software development, estimate, project design, integrity |
| Subjects: | financial and cost management, software systems, contractual arrangements, research dissemination and communication, health safety and environment, health monitoring assessment and metrics, research methods, profession, digital design, data collection methods, computational design, evaluation and assessment methods, management, information systems, risk assessment |
| Topics: | Health and Safety, Roles and Professions, Research Practice, Digital Applications, Organizational Design, Cost Management, Procurement, Risk Management, Engineering Principles |
| Descriptive scope: | 5 PCTEA |
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