O'Brien, M J and Pantouvakis, J P (1993) A new approach to the development of computer- aided estimating systems for the construction industry. Construction Management and Economics, 11(1), pp. 30-44. ISSN 01446193
Abstract
Estimators display a diversity of approaches to their task of predicting the cost of a construction project. To design and build individualized, computer-aided estimating software products to reflect this diversity is however expensive. This paper describes a new method of designing and building such products which is quick, easy and hence inexpensive. The method relies upon embedding a core estimating product into a set of software tools which can be used to reshape and enhance the core functionality. The tools have been designed to minimize the requisite technical knowledge of the user, principally through the use of declarative features. The individualistic nature of estimating is therefore reflected in this new method of developing estimating products. These resultant products are therefore more acceptable to practising estimators.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | adaptive software; computer-aided estimating; estimating; software; software development |
| Index terms: | construction project, estimator, design and build, estimating, software development, functionality, construction industry |
| Subjects: | production management, software systems, industry analysis, profession, financial and cost management, contractual arrangements, design features |
| Topics: | Design Practice, Cost Management, Engineering Principles, Research Practice, Project Management, Roles and Professions, Procurement |
| Descriptive scope: | 3 PCT |
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