A construction project planning tool based on unit price estimating

Authors

  • Jesús Zaragoza Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán (México)
  • José González Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán (México)
  • José Díaz Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán (México)

Keywords:

Cost estimating, planning, budgeting, project management, resource allocation

Abstract

Cost estimating of construction projects in Mexico is generally based on the unit price system. Usually, construction firms commit a great deal of effort to such a task giving little importance to the planning aspects of the project. Nowadays, it appears that while evaluating bidders, owners pay attention primarily to economic issues of the bids and to the completion date of the project, minimizing the importance of the planning function. In this paper a tool to build up comprehensive plan and budget for contractors from a unit price estimate called “AsigRec” is discussed. The tool discussed here is software that allows to show all cost concepts of a cost estimate broken down into a tree diagram. The tree diagram displays graphically the most common levels used to integrate cost estimates in Mexico in a hierarchically fashion: 1) project, 2) item, 3) unit price and, 4) resources. Concurrently, the program allows creating the activity work break down structure (AWBS) in an easy and convenient way. Once the AWBS is defined, it is possible to arrange graphically the way in which the resources established in the original cost estimate will be allocated to new activities. This can be done with the tool by defined vectors named Allocation Operations (AO). Furthermore, the tool generates an Activity Resource Accounts Catalog (CCRA in Spanish). The resulting CCRA could be much simpler than the original cost estimate, allowing an easier project control based on the contractor’s criteria or priorities. The end goal of the tool is to provide the contractor with timely and meaningful information in order to improve his decision making

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Author Biography

Jesús Zaragoza, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán (México)

Cuerpo Académico de Construcción, , Mérida, Yucatán, MÉXICO 

Published

2005-04-30

How to Cite

Zaragoza, J., González, J., & Díaz, J. (2005). A construction project planning tool based on unit price estimating. Revista Ingeniería De Construcción, 20(1), 27–32. Retrieved from https://horizonteenfermeria.uc.cl/index.php/ric/article/view/16933

Issue

Section

Original Research