DATA ENTRY
Crunching the numbers.
Its crunch time. Now that you have all the raw data it’s time to put it together.
There are various estimating software products available, and you are probably used to using a particular one, so this will cover more of an overview rather than a tutorial on a specific system.
That being said, for getting started and even top preforming databases can be made up from excel sheets. This is a cost-effective method to getting started if you are not using any particular software.
1. Item break-up
Firstly, have an item break-up. This will be either requested by the client or tender documents. This could be as small as a few items or larger than 50+ items. it really does not matter the number of items, but it is best to have a list put together before you start entering in data.
2. Data Entry
Once you have the break-up sorted keep it handy as you enter the raw data, try to group the same break-up items, and types of items together. For example, keeping all the light fittings together, all the bakelite together, all the cable together, all the communications work together etc. This sounds obvious but does require deliberate planning otherwise your data base can end up like a spider’s web.
Common grouping also assists by creating a methodical flow to your database that is easy to navigate, amend, and pass on to PM if successful. When adding items, add them to the group they belong to, not just a new line at the bottom.
Have a system to track take off data that has been entered into your database. Highlighting and crossing through data that has been entered works great for both paper and electronic.