zmVault/new-additions/evpi-takeoff.md

EVPI Takeoff

Expected value of perfect information (EVPI)

The perceived value of decreased uncertainty must be weighed against its cost.

Takeoff purchases certainty with estimator hours. Estimator hours have a not insubstantial real cost in salary and burden, however the opportunity cost may exceed this.

Count-based takeoff speed increases with count.

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Optimizing the takeoff process means:

• Minimizing the need for information outside of drawings
• Maximizing organizational consistency

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Recent events have complicated my philosophy above. It appears that similar efforts have already been made here, their success being a matter of perspective.

Naming Conventions (Use Case vs. Description)

Naming by use case is intuitive for those without estimating or field experience, but has the side effect that those acustomed to the names will inevitably treat them as descriptive.