Adding Qualitative Context Factors to Analogy Estimating of Construction Projects

Abstract

Existing estimating models have certain shortcomings in the management of historical data. There is a need ofdefining more objective and consistent criteria for the selection of historical construction data to be used forestimating. In this perspective, a methodology based on historical information, which incorporates qualitative contextfactors to the structure and use of this information for cost estimating, such as project complexity, environmentalconditions and characteristics of workmanship, among others, is proposed. A list of qualitative project context factorsthat are most influential for construction projects’ cost and productivity is presented. Additionally, a context modelthat includes these variables is described together with an explanation of how they are incorporated into the costestimate. It is concluded that the incorporation of qualitative context factors in cost estimating improves the use ofhistorical information and that most critical aspects to achieve this feature are the creation of a reliable site-workfeedback system and the correct structure of historical information.