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Agapiou, A (1996) Forecasting the supply of construction labour, Unpublished PhD Thesis, Department of Civil Engineering, Loughborough University of Technology.
Arditi, D A (1973) An investigation into the behavioural and technical factors affecting success in the use of network analysis in the construction industry of Great Britain, Unpublished PhD Thesis, Department of Civil Engineering, Loughborough University of Technology.
Celik, T (1989) Improving concrete quality by using an expert system, Unpublished PhD Thesis, Department of Civil Engineering, Loughborough University of Technology.
Dutch, W G (1989) The capital cost aspects of the environmental impact of new highways in association with the new design technique: the commercial route methodology, Unpublished PhD Thesis, Department of Civil Engineering, Loughborough University of Technology.
Harris, F C (1979) A model for evaluating the effects of weather on construction projects, Unpublished PhD Thesis, Department of Civil Engineering, Loughborough University of Technology.
Jayawardane, A K W (1989) Optimising earthmoving by linear programming and computer simulation, Unpublished PhD Thesis, Department of Civil Engineering, Loughborough University of Technology.
Jergeas, G F (1989) Detailed design and constructability, Unpublished PhD Thesis, Department of Civil Engineering, Loughborough University of Technology.
Lam, Y T (1995) A knowledge-based system for planning and scheduling ready-mixed concrete, Unpublished PhD Thesis, Department of Civil Engineering, Loughborough University of Technology.
Oteifa, S A (1991) An investigation into civil engineering estimators' decision making and expertise, Unpublished PhD Thesis, Department of Civil Engineering, Loughborough University of Technology.
- Type: Thesis
- Keywords: civil engineer; contractor; decision-making; estimating; expertise; interview; prototype development; questionnaire survey; tendering
- ISBN/ISSN:
- URL: https://hdl.handle.net/2134/6857
- Abstract:
The role of the civil engineering estimator within the contractor’s organisation has been well documented. Whilst this role and the estimators’ tasks within the estimating and tendering process are well understood, little attention has been paid to estimators’ expertise, how they make decisions at various stages within the tender period, the education and training needed to become an estimator and the psychological make-up of those whose work is fundamental to the survival and growth of the civil engineering contractor. Computer-aided estimating systems have, for the last decade, been available to assist the work of the estimator. However, there remains debate concerning their contribution to the tasks of civil engineering estimators. The research incorporated: a detailed survey of the member companies of the Federation of Civil Engineering Contractors; semi-structured interviews of practising estimators; a study of career attributes by questionnaire and self assessment exercise; an empirical study of decision making based upon the technique of protocol analysis; and the development of a prototype expert system to assist estimators in the task of selecting subcontractors. The analysis of the estimators’ decision-making processes showed that ’expert’ estimators operate within a hierarchy of goals, and utilize mental checklists and templates to make decisions. Novice estimators repetitively collate information and then summarise on a general basis. Protocol analysis was demonstrated to be a suitable technique for studying the decision making processes of estimators. The technique was also found to make a significant contribution to the process of knowledge elicitation for expert system production. The study of estimators’ past careers and experience established typical career profiles for the civil engineering estimator. These show both the formal education received and the practical experience gained before becoming an estimator. The attributes required by construction personnel wishing to take up a career in estimating were identified and a composite personality profile of the civil engineering estimator produced. The survey confirmed the importance of estimators’ experience and expertise within the estimating and tendering process and showed that some 56% of the survey respondents currently used some form of computer aided estimating. The reasons for user dissatisfaction with current computer aided estimating systems were also identified. A prototype expert system developed to vet prospective subcontractors for construction work. This was shown to provide considerable assistance to estimators.