1. EXIT  FeedbackMar 28 2012How to Complete the Estimating Model xls Contents 1
How to Complete the
Estimating Model xls
Things you need:
 Estimating Model xls
 2 hours of time
 PC in a quiet room
 NetMeeting (option)
Things you need:
 Estimating Model xls
 2 hours of time
 PC in a quiet room
 NetMeeting (option)
Target Audience:
 Concept Estimators
 Project Managers
 RAM Team members
Target Audience:
 Concept Estimators
 Project Managers
 RAM Team members
Training and Reference
Works Enablement
Click & Flick
Model training:
 Contact
Kevin Kissack
Model issues:
 Contact
Sandra Johnson
Model training:
 Contact
Kevin Kissack
Model issues:
 Contact
Sandra Johnson
Press F5 to
Present
Sample Pages from the 80 Page Original.
Step-by-step self-delivered training via Powerpoint using actions. Click & flick to reduce cognitive overload.
Comprehensive contents for reference. Estimating Model was a 15Mb highly complex huge Excel spreadsheet.

2. EXIT  FeedbackMar 28 2012How to Complete the Estimating Model xls Contents 2
Please open the Estimating Model xls.
Save to C-Drive and use for practice during training.
Screens
Preparation
Model
Estimating Model xls

3. EXIT  FeedbackMar 28 2012How to Complete the Estimating Model xls Contents 3
Please arrange your screens like this:
Powerpoint Presentation
Estimating Model xls
Training Practice
Examples
Preparation
Screens

4. EXIT  FeedbackMar 28 2012How to Complete the Estimating Model xls Contents 4
Examples of Projects for Estimating
(Concrete Poles)
Work
Types
Introduction

5. EXIT  FeedbackMar 28 2012How to Complete the Estimating Model xls Contents 5
Examples of Work Types
Underground distribution work
Installing concrete poles
Design Testing and commissioning
Civil construction
Substation construction
Overhead distribution work
What’s an EU?
Introduction

6. EXIT  FeedbackMar 28 2012How to Complete the Estimating Model xls Contents 6
Description of an Estimating Unit (EU)
EU Category
EU Name
Work Group(s)
EU Description
Total Labour (Hours)
Total Materials ($$)
Other information
Simplified
examples
11kV Air Break Switch (ABS)
Install ABS and Pole
Lines Overhead
Line Design, Line Services
45
$9,250
Assumptions, risks, inclusions,
exclusions, costs per phase, etc.
Air
Break
Switch
Handle
Earth
Rod
ABS and
new pole
installed
132 / 66-11 kV - 100 MVA
Procure, deliver, erect & test
Transformer
Sub Design, Civil Design, Subs Ops, Test,
Comms, SCADA, Metering, Procurement.
60
$1,477,161
Assumptions, risks, inclusions,
exclusions, costs per phase, etc.
Oil
Conservator
Tank
Transformer
Tank
High
Voltage
Bushing
Low Voltage
Bushing
Cooling
Fans
Cooling Fins/ Radiator
ABS
Trans
Introduction
Costs and
Gates

7. EXIT  FeedbackMar 28 2012How to Complete the Estimating Model xls Contents 7
Costs and Gates
Introduction
Costs and
Estimating
CV/AP
CV for
Design
Contingency
Unknown Unknowns
Risk
Known Unknowns
CV for
Construction
CV = Contract Value
Sponsor is
Approver for
Variations
SPIA = Document from Asset Mmgt via Works
Enablement. SPIA includes CV with full or partial
release for the Design Phase.
AP (Approved Project value)
Variation
6 weeks for project services
to review the estimate.
CV for
Design
Negotiation
Risk
Known Unknowns
As-Builts

8. EXIT  FeedbackMar 28 2012How to Complete the Estimating Model xls Contents 8
Cost Breakdown
This pie chart provides the typical
basic spread of costs for a
greenfield project.
Note how labour work groups are
about a quarter of the Approved
Value (AP).
Labour is split into two to show
that design labour is the main part
of Gate 2, and that construction
labour is the main part of Gate 3.
The chart enables estimators to
see where their time is best spent
in making accurate estimates.
Remember that Gate 3 approved
estimates have an intended
accuracy of +/- 10%.
Costs and Estimating
Introduction
AP (Approved Value)
for Design & Construction of a typical 3km 66kV Line
Materials Cost
Equipment
Other
Overheads
Risk
Contingency
Project
Management
Misc
Work
Groups
Design
Construction
Misc
Work
Groups
Design
Construction
Design
Gate2Labour
Gate 3 Labour
Project
Management
Sponsor Costs
and Travel/
Accommodation

9. EXIT  FeedbackMar 28 2012How to Complete the Estimating Model xls Contents 9
Check the Date is current.
The version changes by date.
If ‘Out of Date Estimate’, open
the latest version, then import
old Model into it.
Current
Model
Out of
Date
Model
Import
Tip: Copy the Model to
C-Drive until it’s finished.
(Network is too slow for big files)
Date
Tip
Initial Checks when
you get an Estimate
New
New! Model
remembers % view!
Order in which to
complete the Model
Old

10. EXIT  FeedbackMar 7 2012How to Complete the Estimating Model xls Contents 10
Work Groups – Profiles
Work Groups -
Demobilisation


Work Groups
Defaults values for crew size and work profile
are usually adequate, but can be modified.
Crew size = average number and typical roles.
WG
Work Groups cover:
Design, Design-related,
and Construction.
Choose whether crews are claiming allowances:
‘living away from home’ or ‘travel’.
An allowance for substandard accommodation
can be added in Key Project Inputs (later)
Tip
Alternative accommodation might include Camper Vans for
remote Projects. This can reduce travel time and result in earlier
work completion. (Agreement required.) Townsville PM: Anthony Willis.
Concept Estimates – Fortnightly Work Profile – Leave as the default.Concept Estimates – Fortnightly Work Profile – Leave as the default.

11. EXIT  FeedbackMar 7 2012How to Complete the Estimating Model xls Contents 11
Living Away from Home (Demobilisation)
The decision to live away from home for a particular project and work area is
through consultation with the Work Group manager, planners and schedulers.
The considerations include: distance of project site from Major Resource
Centre (RC), site access, project duration, and accepted work group practices.
Demob’ 30-hour project, 1-hour drive from the RC, would not normally require demobilisation.
or not? 5-month project, 1-day drive from the RC, would normally require demobilisation.
Demob Guide Project work site to the nearest Major Resource Centre (RC)
Distance (approx) < ~150km ~150–500km > ~500km
Drive time (approx) < ~2 hours ~2–6 hours > ~6 hours
Demobilisation No Weekly Fortnightly
Travel time must consider total daily work hours and fatigue management.
Driving is classed as working. Passengers need breaks too (toilet, leg stretch).
Travel over 500km might include airfare. Ignore costs to get to/from the airport (negligible).
Calculate for one person. Enter in two columns: ‘Return cost / hours lost per cycle’.
Tips
Guide
Eg
Earthworks
Work Groups – Demobilisation
Accom
Project
Site
RC (Depot)
Demob
Cycle
Major Resource Centres (RCs):
Cairns, Townsville, Mackay, Rockhampton,
Maryborough, and Toowoomba.
Work Groups
per
person
per
person
Return Hours
Truck cost
divided by crew.
200/4 = $50 pp.
Demob Example
Vehicle 1-week hire
$200, 4-man crew,
weekly cycle.
Travel time
lost per
person per
cycle is
6 hours,
(3 there,
3 back).
Eg

12. EXIT  FeedbackMar 7 2012How to Complete the Estimating Model xls Contents 12
Don’t use it!
Not accurate enough because
of too many construction variables.
The calculated result is not
automatically added to the estimate.
Standard EU
Use
the civil designer’s
earthworks calculations.
Use
the EUs in the Category:
“Earth and Site Works”.
Bench
Side View
It provides stability for the substation structures and allows for flooding.
Retaining Wall
Earthmat and wire
Fence
Bench Height
Slope
Bench
Earthworks Volume Calculator
What’s a Bench?

13. EXIT  FeedbackMar 7 2012How to Complete the Estimating Model xls Contents 13EU Library
Press for
Demo
How to Select a Standard EU
 EU Category
 EU Name
 Quantity
 The other fields auto-populate
 Check the details, costs, phases, etc.
 Create a custom EU if needed.
 EU Category
 EU Name
 Quantity
 The other fields auto-populate
 Check the details, costs, phases, etc.
 Create a custom EU if needed.
  
Not Used

14. EXIT  FeedbackMar 7 2012How to Complete the Estimating Model xls Contents 14
Tips
EU Library (Sharepoint)
EU Library on SharePoint
Project
Phases
Tips
Concrete Poles and
Traffic Controls are
in ‘Lines Overhead’.
The EU Library on Sharepoint provides the
Standard EU details within Excel files, which are
grouped into EU Categories.
Although estimators often use the
(EU Library Summary) in the Model, the EU Library on
Sharepoint has more details and has a better structure for
analysis, plus it can be opened in a separate monitor for
easier reference when completing the Estimate.
‘EU Library’ data is
the same as ‘EU
Library Summary’,
but more detailed.
Library of Standard EUs in Categories, on Sharepoint
Listed in Nominal
Build order.
Listed in alphabetical order.
Not Used

15. EXIT  FeedbackMar 7 2012How to Complete the Estimating Model xls Contents 15
Scroll around to see the
values because they’re not
all in one place.
Scroll around to see the
values because they’re not
all in one place.
Project Phases: Standard EUs
The list below is the
same, regardless of
the Phase selected.
The list below is the
same, regardless of
the Phase selected.
Select
Total or
a Phase
Concrete Pole
EU: Tips
EU Library Summary
The values of
selected Phases
are shown here.
The values of
selected Phases
are shown here.

16. EXIT  FeedbackMar 7 2012How to Complete the Estimating Model xls Contents 16
Concrete Pole EU: Tips
These are major plant with a long lead time, and
are procured by Transmission Lines Materials
Officer via a Works Order (e.g. from PM.)
Tips: Check there’s a contract with the supplier for
that order/delivery time frame. Concrete Poles are
in Lines Overhead.
Consider: Max poles per delivery truck. Distance
from supplier to site. Staged delivery or in one go.
Aim to deliver concrete poles to the work site or a
temporary secure site/depot nearby, not stores.
Gate 2 delivery, storage, and cranage would be
risks (known unknowns). More likely to be known
at Gate 3.
Transformer
EU: Tips
EU Library
Summary
EU Library
Sharepoint
Check
Check EU Details:
Such as what is included/excluded and phases. Note that
transport costs are more than the pole! Use the ‘EU Library
Summary’ of the Model, or ideally the EU Library on Sharepoint.

17. EXIT  FeedbackMar 7 2012How to Complete the Estimating Model xls Contents 17
These are major plant, typically large, with a
long lead time (~1 year), procured by Stores
(unless a 1-off). Aim to deliver to site or store
at manufacturers, not to stores.
Transformer EUs typically have costs that
include: delivery to site, crane hire, install fins,
oil fill, and initial test. These tasks are
performed by the manufacturer. The EU
typically excludes costs for base, bund, wall,
storage and store-to-site cranage.
Warranty begins from delivery date (ex-works).
Only installed when civils are complete (base,
bund, wall), and a crane is available. Check
this upon ordering.
Gate 2 delivery, storage, and cranage would be
risks (known unknowns). More likely to be
known at Gate 3.
Transformer EU: Tips
Check EU Details: such as what is included/excluded and
the phases. Use the ‘EU Library Summary’ in the Model, or
ideally the EU Library on Sharepoint.
Check
EU Library
Sharepoint
None
Custom EU
Bund wall
(to contain leaks)
Transformer
(major plant)
Protection wall
(some on 4 sides)
Concrete Base
The ‘Transformer EU’ is
for major plant.
‘Stores’ transformers are
much smaller, with short
lead times, and are
defined within other EUs.
E.g.: Lines Overhead,
200kVA Tx on a pole.
This EU is
not for small
transformers
Exclusion
Exclusion
Exclusion
Not!

18. EXIT  FeedbackMar 7 2012How to Complete the Estimating Model xls Contents 18
Phase
To View/Edit an existing Custom EU
 Press “Custom EUs”
 Press “Go To…” the Summary or a Phase
To View/Edit an existing Custom EU
 Press “Custom EUs”
 Press “Go To…” the Summary or a Phase
Press for
Demo
 Complete the yellow cells
hrs $$
hrs $$
Quick Demo: Create and View a Custom EU
To Create a new Custom EU
 Press “Custom EUs”
 Press “Go To…” the Summary or a Phase
 Select EU Category using drop-down.
 Complete the yellow fields in detail.
To Create a new Custom EU
 Press “Custom EUs”
 Press “Go To…” the Summary or a Phase
 Select EU Category using drop-down.
 Complete the yellow fields in detail.
Risk
Total
 Category

Summary
or
Phase


19. EXIT  FeedbackMar 7 2012How to Complete the Estimating Model xls Contents 19
Example 1: Winter
If construction is during all of May
(winter) and it rained for a week
during May for 8 years out of the
past 10 years, then it’s likely to rain
in May for a week.
Therefore it’s a risk: add Labour
hours to the estimate for delays for
particular work groups, allow for
increased duration in the project
milestone, and document the
reasons for these risks and costs.
This example incorporates the
estimated cost because it is likely to
happen and we can allow for it, but
we don’t know which day/week it will
rain, or how much it will rain, or the
impact of the rain. Nevertheless, a
week of rain is risk-accounted for via
a cost.
Risk of Rain and How to Handle it
Research the likelihood of rain based on:
weather trends (past 5 years) link, weather
predictions, ‘lessons learnt file’ from previous
projects, and local opinion (SMEs, PMs).
Example 2: Summer
If it was summer and it
hadn’t rained for the past
10 years at the site in
the planned construction
period, we would not
treat heavy rain as a
risk.
However, if it did rain
heavily during
construction and
negatively affect the
project, then it would be
classed as an unknown
unknown, and costs
would be paid for by the
Contingency fund of the
RAM/Sponsor via a
variation (force majeure).
Rainfall Notes
It’s not just the rainfall that stops work such as civil
construction, it’s the volume of water that restricts
access to the site, plus waiting for that water to
subside to allow for access again, assuming the
bridges and roads are usable.
For example, a heavy rainfall of 1 day could take a
further 2 days to subside to allow access. Further-
more, local towns, suppliers and Ergon depots and
may also have no access.
Enter
a Risk

20. EXIT  FeedbackMar 7 2012How to Complete the Estimating Model xls Contents 20
We don’t mitigate
risks, we add a cost.
For example, we don’t
take a spare EWP.
This column is usually
blank.
Enter the
Hours or Cost
Risks are 50%
or less.
If ≥51%, make
it an estimated
cost not a risk.
COST
How to Enter a Risk
Explain the
Impact
Standard EU Risks
Custom EU Risks
AutomaticAutomatic
As above except: Describe
details and
impacts.
Complete the ‘yellow cells’ from left to right.
Enter the
Hours or Cost