We are all guilty of it, rating up an estimate without truly understanding the project scope, deliverables, and risks.  Estimators never have enough time, and the requirements of expanding construction methods, products and specification can have us buried in construction drawings to a point we loose sight of what the client is asking for. 

Understand the value of Construction WBS, how to standardise estimate structures will have an immediate effect on quality of your estimate processes.

De-Risking your Estimate using WBS Codes 

Construction Work Break Down Structures, WBS, as defined in as “a deliverable hierarchical decomposition of the work to form the required estimate and project deliverables. It organises and defines the total scope of the project. Each descending level represents an increasingly detailed definition of the project work. The WBS is decomposed into work packages. The deliverable orientation of the hierarchy includes both internal and external deliverables.”

The WBS is not a description of the processes or tasks followed to perform the project…nor does it address the schedule that defines how or when the deliverables will be produced, but rather is specifically limited to describing and detailing the project’s outcomes or scope. The WBS is a foundational estimating component, and as such, is a critical input towards de-risking your estimate by forming the bases of estimate reports, deliverables such as activity definitions, project schedule, performance reports, risk analysis and response, control tools and team organisation. 

So, when you are given the opportunity – working on a new project, employed by a new company, or working with a new team.  Look to formalising a structure, a repeatable manageable WBS that can be relied on by other team members.  It not only will make the estimate process more enjoyable and accurate, but it will also support all the downstream efforts that will go into building that construction project. 

 

Let ProEst know how we can help De-Risk your estimating process using ProEst’s custom Work Break Down Structures and WorkFlows. Contact 1300 ProEst (776 378) or visit our website. 

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