Issue link: https://construction.trimble.com/en/resources/i/1298032
6 CHALLENGE: Project changes and fragmented workows aect bid accuracy Every estimator knows that change orders are an inevitable part of the estimating process and that if not managed well, create a number of challenges that will ultimately impact success. Managing change orders in 2D can make it diŠcult to track or "show your work." This can lead to unanswered questions such as "what is associated with this cost code?" or "how was this quantity calculated?". They also require repetitive rework to ensure numbers are accurate. Without the ability to show your work, stakeholders downstream might hesitate and recalculate quantities instead of using your numbers, even if they're accurate. This means both the time you invested in the estimate and the information you generated go to waste. In addition to change orders, steel estimators routinely face the challenge of needing to communicate with stakeholders across the construction workow to address those changes. Work often tends to be siloed or diluted as it transitions from one person to the next, and from one format or style to the other. When working this way, errors and ineŠciencies are almost always guaranteed. SOLUTION: In a 3D, model-based workow, all quantities are directly linked to and calculated from the model. When a change is made, costs and quantities are automatically updated throughout the model. You can easily trace your work without additional calculations, giving stakeholders downstream condence in your numbers that ultimately saves time and reduces waste. However, simply using a 3D model as your information source alone doesn't give you the ability to trace the origin of your quantities. Magic needs to happen in both directions – from the model to the takeo‡s and from the takeo‡s to the model. To mitigate the e‡ects of a fragmented workow, it's important for the steel estimator to always be on the lookout for ways to streamline and manage the process. Doing so can eliminate human error or faulty data that negatively impacts the estimating process. Adopting a technology solution that integrates seamlessly with the estimating, detailing, fabrication and erection is the most e‡ective way to synthesize the entire process.