Estimating Across Methodologies in IDEAL.

(Bill Hombach, President of Team Analysis, Inc.)

Throughout my career, I have done estimating work in various industries, using different methodologies. Whether it’s facilities engineering and construction estimating, analyzing operation and support costs for a fleet of F-16’s, work in advanced weapons systems development, or work in Environmental Restoration, I understand the unique challenges and requirements posed by each methodology. While each of the methodologies do share some fundamental aspects, they each require different information and follow separate strategies.

Every estimate or cost model is unique. This is due to the number of variables that must be considered before even starting to develop your estimate or cost model. For each methodology you need to assess the data available to you (technical or unit cost). The amount of data on hand can determine the methodology used, the driving parameters in an estimate, and many more aspects of your estimate or cost model. It is also important to take into account the life cycle of the project and whether the project is conceptual or budgetary. These are just a few of the variables that must be addressed before an estimate or cost models can be developed.

Given the unique requirements of each estimate or cost model, even when using the same methodology, I found that the tools available to me were incapable of providing me the ability to build estimates and cost models as unique as the project for which they are built. I noticed that there was no system available that could truly address the nuances of each estimating methodology, for any type of project. I needed a system that allowed me the flexibility I needed to develop each type of estimate while still providing me with all the tools I needed.

IDEAL is that system. Whether I’m building an estimate “back-of-the-envelope” ... “Hey, I’ve got an Idea. Let me write on the back of this envelope and put it in IDEAL” or I have a detailed design and I want to do a Quantity-Take-Off estimate. Regardless of whether I have a large amount of data or a small amount, IDEAL can handle it all. IDEAL was designed to fill in the gaps that the old estimating tools could not. IDEAL is a system that strives to span the different methodologies and industries. With IDEAL, I can now design estimates and cost models that are as unique as the projects, for which they are built, in an intuitive and user-friendly environment.

Bill Hombach
(President, Team Analysis)