Arditi, D and Suh, K (1991) Estimating system selection expert. Construction Management and Economics, 9(4), pp. 369-381. ISSN 01446193
Abstract
Computerized quantity take-off and cost-estimating systems have proliferated in the last 4–5 years. Companies that decide to computerize estimating are faced with the problem of making the right selection. Selecting a package first involves the identification of a potential user's needs. Then, a review is made of the packages available and their capabilities and, finally, the selection of a package by matching the potential user's needs with estimating system capabilities. ESSEX, whose conceptual framework is presented in this paper, is a knowledge-based expert system that facilitates the decision to be made by a potential user of estimating software as to what package to acquire. ESSEX uses an expert system shell to manipulate three main files: ' UserMod', the interface with the potential user that also develops the user's decision criteria; 'SysMod', the interface with the developers that records commercially available systems' characteristics; and 'MatchMod', that matches user and system characteristics to reach the most appropriate selections. An objective evaluation of ESSEX and suggestions for further research are made.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | cost-estimating; knowledge-based expert systems; quantity take-off; software selection |
| Index terms: | decision criteria, package, conceptual framework, estimating, expert system, take-off |
| Subjects: | theoretical framing, quantity surveying, decision analysis, data management, financial and cost management, contractual arrangements |
| Topics: | Cost Management, Research Practice, Risk Management, Procurement, Digital Applications |
| Descriptive scope: | 3 PCA |
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