An investigative study of computer guidance systems for project cost control
- Publication Type:
- Thesis
- Issue Date:
- 1985
Open Access
Copyright Clearance Process
- Recently Added
- In Progress
- Open Access
This item is open access.
The problem under investigation is the failure of
current project cost control processes in Australia to
adequately examine alternative design solutions due
primarily to the imposition of time and cost constraints.
Hence project optimisation does not occur-- the cost of a
design is controlled but rarely is a design formulated to
comply with a pre - determined budget allocation . This
thesis attempts to improve current practice through the
introduction of a computer guidance system called
"COSTPLANNER!" devised to enable implementation of complex
optimisation and control procedures between the stages of
conception and tender while simultaneously improving speed
and accuracy.
In order to arrive at a workable solution the
investigative study is subdivided into three main sections.
First, traditional methods of project cost control are
discussed in order to ascertain the basic philosophies
which will need to be preserved. Second, current levels of
computer involvement are analysed to arrive at the
essential elements which any computer - based system must
possess. Third, a framework for a complete computer- guided
cost planning package, incorporating the necessary
mechanisms to enable more thorough investigation and
overcome restrictions curre.ntly imposed by insufficient
time, is designed in detail.
The investigation has highlighted that design
optimisation must be initiated at an early stage before
valuable time and money is spent documenting a Bcheme that
is inherently cost expensive . Also, to enable proper
exploration of alternative solutions either the number of
areas to be investigated must be r educed or the speed with
which such area s are examined increased . The use of
computers to undertake cost control activities means that
the latter is an achievable goal that does not resist
acknowledged attempts by the National Public Works
Conference (N .P.W.C. ) in Australia to encourage industry
standardisation.
The major conclusion reached is that current
practice can be significantly improved through the
utilisation of computer guidance systems at all stages in
the design of a project . Preparation time of feasibility
reports can be reduced by ninety-three percent, sketch
design cost plans by forty-five percent and tender document
cost plans by thirty-four percent an overall reduction in
time and cost of fifty percent. In addition to the
obvious benefits of making instantaneous changes to cost
information, full reports including life cycle costing,
value analysis and cost- benefit analysis studies as
applicable are automatically prepared . Implementation of
computer guidance systems to improve efficiency is not only
desirable but absolutely essential, although it is an area
which t o date has been suprisingly ignored.
Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: