Betts, M (1990) Methods and data used by large building contractors in preparing tenders. Construction Management and Economics, 8(4), pp. 399-414. ISSN 01446193
Abstract
The process of submitting lump sum competitive tenders continues to be commonly practised by UK building contractors. Most tenders are based on a detailed analysis of project details and a detailed costing of parts of the work to be done. Considerable resources are being devoted to the preparation of tenders in this way. Any means of improving the efficiency of this process would be very welcome to contractors and to the construction industry as a whole. This paper presents a documentation of methods of tender preparation in the form of a model of the tasks executed. This model is a description of the process in its most complex possible form as currently executed and does not attempt to portray the tendering process as it is typically performed. Variations within the model have been found to occur between individual contractors and for alternative means of procurement as well as for differences in project complexity. However, the model is generally representative of the means by which tenders are prepared by large building contractors in the UK. The model has been produced with the aim of documenting items of data that are used. This has been done using techniques of structured systems analysis including data flow diagrams and a data dictionary. Resulting from this analysis is a definition of data potentially used by building contractors in tendering. This definition gives a better opportunity for the more purposeful and complete application of information systems to the tendering process as a means of improving its efficiency. The paper therefore provides a specification of data to be used in the development of information management systems to support building contractors' tendering.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | building contracting; information management; information systems; structured systems analysis; tendering |
| Index terms: | information system, project complexity, variation, documentation, management system, systems analysis, specification, costing, construction industry, dictionary, efficiency, building contractor, tendering process |
| Subjects: | practitioner, analytical methods, management, performance management, tendering, accounting and finance, organizational theory, contractual condition, professional development, data management, industry analysis, information systems |
| Topics: | Organizational Design, Contract Administration, Quality Management, Digital Applications, Procurement, Roles and Professions, Project Management, Research Practice, Engineering Principles, Information Management, Cost Management |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCTA |
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