ESTIMATING, GANTT CHART AND S-CURVE PREPARATION

RAMON RELLITA TAN, CE, MPM Asst. City Engineer

A) ESTIMATING:
Estimating is a calculation of the quantities of various items of work, and the expenses likely to be incurred thereon. The total of these probable expenses to be incurred on the work is known as estimated cost of the work. The estimated cost of a work is a close approximation of its actual cost. The agreement of the estimated cost with the actual cost will depend on accurate use of estimating methods and correct visualization of the work, as it will be done. Importance of correct estimating is obvious. Under-estimating may result in the client getting an unpleasant shock when tenders are opened and drastically modifying or abandoning the work at that stage. Over-estimating may lose the engineer or estimator his client or his job, or in any case his confidence.

PURPOSE OF ESTIMATING:
The purpose of estimating is to give a reasonably accurate idea of the cost. An estimate is necessary to give the owner a reasonably accurate idea of the cost to help him decide whether the work can be undertaken as proposed or needs to be curtailed or abandoned, depending upon the availability of funds and prospective direct and indirect benefits.

TYPES OF CONSTRUCTION ESTIMATES:

There are several kinds of estimating techniques; these can be grouped into two main categories. 1. APPROXIMATE ESTIMATES 2. DETAILED ESTIMATES

APPROXIMATE ESTIMATES
An approximate estimate is an approximate or rough estimate prepared to obtain an approximate cost in a short time. For certain purposes the use of such methods is justified.

DETAILED ESTIMATES
A detailed estimate of the cost of a project is prepared by determining the quantities and costs of every thing that a contractor is required to provide and do for the satisfactory completion of the work. It is the best and most reliable form of estimate. Detailed Estimate of Construction Cost a forecast of construction cost prepared on the basis of a detailed analysis of materials and labor for all items of work, as contracted with an estimate based on current area, volume or similar unit cost.

QUALIFICATIONS OF AN ESTIMATOR
A good estimator should possess the following qualifications: 1. 2. 3. A thorough understanding of architectural drawings. A sound knowledge of building materials, construction methods and customs prevailing in the trade. A full of information collected or gained through experience in construction work, relating to materials required, hourly output of workers and equipments, overhead expenses and costs of all kinds. An understanding of a good method of preparing an estimate. A systematic and orderly mind. Ability to collect, classify and evaluate data that would be useful in estimating.

4.
5. 6.

IMPORTANT ITEMS TO BE CONSIDERED IN ESTIMATING:

MATERIALS: LABOR: EQUIPMENT: TIME:

MATERIALS:
From the estimate of a work it is possible to determine what materials and in what quantities will be required for the work so that the arrangements to procure them can be made.

LABOR:
The number and kind of workers of different categories who will have to be employed to complete the work in the specified time can be found out from the estimate.

EQUIPMENT:
An estimate will help in determining amount and kind of equipment needed to complete the work.

TIME:
The estimate of a work and the past experience enable one to estimate quite closely the length of time required to complete an item of work or the work as a whole.

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED IN ESTIMATING

Architectural Plans Specifications (separate for building) Red Book (specification for Roads and Bridges) National Building code City/Municipal Ordinance

COST INVOLVED IN ESTIMATING

A-Direct Costs (for Building) B-Direct Costs (for Roads) a. Mobilization a. Mobilization b. Site Preparation b. Clearing and Grubbing c. Layout c. Roadway Excavation d. Earthworks (excavation & backfill) d. Embankment e. Structural Works e. Line Ditch f. Architectural Finishes f. Sub-Base Course g. Plumbing Works g. Base Course h. Electrical Works h. Slope Protection i. Mechanical Works Indirect Costs a. Contingencies b. Engineering Supervision c. Contractors Profit d. Vat e. City Tax

B) GANTT CHART
A Gantt Chart is a type of bar chart that illustrates a project schedule. Gantt charts illustrate the start and finish dates of the terminal elements and summary elements of a project. Terminal elements and summary elements comprise the work breakdown structure of the project.

 The Bar Chart is derived from the Gantt Chart. It represents a graphic record of the projects progress. It gives detail of the work along with the time schedules from the beginning date to the completion date of each activity. Thus, it shows the day-to-day status of every activity, the comparison between the actual accomplishment and the corresponding work schedules, and distribution of manpower, materials, equipment and cash flow.

 The Bar Chart has the distinct character of being easily understood by non-technical people. However, its simplicity becomes its weakness as a control tool because it lacks the detailed breakdown of the different activities particularly their proper and operational dependencies. This built-in weakness prevents the Bar Chart from being a fully effective updating instrument.

C) S-CURVE
An S-Curve is a well known project management tool and it consists in a display of cumulative costs, labor hours or other quantities plotted against time. The name derives from the S-like shape of the curve, flatter at the beginning and end and steeper in the middle, because this is the way most of the projects look like.

 An S-Curve represents the actual work accomplishment as against the work schedule, visually identified with a sloping line originating from the bottom left zero percent (0%) accomplishing going up to the upper right, 100% accomplishment.

 Looking at the S-Curve line the reader can readily see the project status at a given time whether it is ahead of or behind schedule. An updated S-Curve immediately presents the positive and negative variance of accomplishment and as such the timely remedial measures can be applied.

GOOD AFTERNOON THANK YOU