36 lines
1.2 KiB
Markdown
36 lines
1.2 KiB
Markdown
# Estimating Detail
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In [[construction-estimating]], the acceptable level of detail of an estimate is a contentious subject.
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What's worse, estimators often disagree on what makes an estimate more detailed than another.
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With our [[risk-oriented-estimating]] approach,
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detail is essentially the inverse of epistemic [[uncertainty]].
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That said, the correct answer is this.
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> As detailed as possible, given required turnaround and available estimating resources.
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An estimate's detail is irrelevant to its quality.
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A less detailed estimate is a more [[risk]]y bid,
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but **it is not the role of the estimator to determine acceptable risk**.
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## Experiment
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Perform a system takeoff (lighting for example) in exacting detail,
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the maximum amount you would ever consider using,
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and measure the time required to do so,
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as well as the cost of the scope.
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Have another estimator takeoff the same scope using the proposed time saving strategy.
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Repeat the test on additional projects.
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Treat the detailed takeoff as the true value
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and find the error of the time saving strategy.
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$\frac{d\sigma}{dt}$
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### Expectation
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Time-saving strategies will overestimate or underestimate detailed takeoff
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depending on the assumptions used in their creation.
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