---
tags:
  - destiny/uncertain
  - topic/estimating
  - topic/software
  - type/philosophy
title: Software Based Estimating
---
# Software Based Estimating

## Software Based Estimating vs Estimating Software

This document describes the philosophy of software based estimating as a concept,
independent of any specific example of [[construction-estimating-software]].

## Software Based Estimating vs Manual

Most estimating manuals treat "software based estimating" as an afterthought,
when in practice there's no meaningful difference in practice from manual.

* Manual estimation is best done in terms of [[assembly-philosophy#Assemblies|assemblies]] anyway.
* On-screen takeoff only eliminates a single manual process.
* Any estimator trained on Accubid could do the same by hand, the methodology is quite transparent.
* At what point in Excel automation does manual estimation become software based?

There is no place for truly manual estimation (pencil and paper)
with the availability of better options,
even to teach the basics of the trade.

* Spreadsheet software is older than personal computers (LANPAR, 1969; VisiCalc, 1979)
* Dedicated estimating software has been available longer than most estimators have been in the field. (McCormick, 1979?)

Manual estimation invites inaccuracy and inconsistency,
and prohibits collaboration and flexibility.

I don't generally accept that dedicated estimating software
is strictly superior to spreadsheets (see [[estimating-philosophy]]),
but it usually is for less technical estimators.
