Use Project Cost Estimator

In this topic, you will learn how to use the solution by assuming the role of a user and performing the following workflows.

Note:

Use your organization's data or the provided sample data to complete the tasks included in this solution's ArcGIS Pro project.

Pre-configured costing workspaces

The Project Cost Estimator ArcGIS Pro project includes two configured costing workspaces that support costing paving projects and water system improvements. You can also use these pre-configured costing workspaces to understand how the solution works. You can also use the solution to build custom costing workspaces if the provided paving and water workspaces do not fit your assets or workflows.

Use the pavement estimator workspace

Note:

This workflow is optional and does not need to be completed to work with the solution.

The pavement estimator workspace uses the geometric length, and the cost attributes: roadway width and pavement type to estimate paving costs. This estimator also illustrates how you can build your own custom estimator that uses length and other related attributes to drive cost calculations.

Open paving project

The Project Cost Estimator ArcGIS Pro project Pavement Projects map is configured with costing layers for paving projects by pavement type (material) and by lane width.

To open the paving projects map, complete the following steps:

1. Sign in to your ArcGIS organization and browse to the Project Cost Estimator item.
2. From the item page, click Download.
3. Unzip the downloaded folder, and then from the unzipped folder, open the ArcGIS Pro project.
4. If you do not see the Catalog pane, from the View tab, in the Windows group, click Catalog Pane.
5. In the Catalog pane, expand Maps, and open the Paving Projects map.

Update costs

The cost values provided allow for realistic project cost estimations but should be updated to reflect the costs of your organization.

To review and update the costs, complete the following steps:

1. In the Contents pane, expand the Costing Tables group, and select the Cost Pavement Type cost table.
2. On the ribbon, click the Standalone Table tab, in the Table group, click Open.
3. The Pavement Type and Width combinations are shown. Some of the combinations have cost values. Add, remove, or update the cost values to reflect the costs used in your organization to improve the accuracy of the project cost estimations.
4. On the ribbon, click the Edit tab, in the Manage Edits group, click Save to save changes.
5. If the Save Edits dialog box appears, click Yes to save your edits.

Add operational map layers

The Paving Projects map is configured with what you need to create and manage paving estimates. Using the Project Cost Estimator solution in combination with your own operational datasets can enhance the costing process by providing more awareness of existing infrastructure and assets.

To add your organization's layers to the solution's maps, complete the following steps:

1. With the Paving Projects tab selected, on the ribbon, click the Map tab, in the Layer group, click Add Data.
2. In the Add Data dialog box, browse to your operational content, select the layer or layers, and click OK.

Create a paving project estimate

The paving estimator map includes a bookmark for a downtown paving project that is incomplete. Use the provided paving estimate and the edit templates to complete the paving estimate adding second project and using the same project group for both to view the combined project cost.

In this workflow, you will assume the role of a technician who wants to finish the paving estimates for the downtown paving project.

1. In the Project Cost Estimator ArcGIS Pro project, with the Paving Projects map open, click the Map tab, in the Navigate group, click Bookmarks to expand the view and select the Downtown Paving bookmark.
The W Franklin Ave paving project includes two 15' wide asphalt lanes. This is one of the two downtown paving projects.
2. The parallel street W Benton Ave also requires paving. On the ribbon, click Edit tab, in the Features group, click Create to view the available feature templates in the Create Features pane.
3. Under the Costing Layers: Pavement Type template, click Asphalt: 15.
4. Click the cell next to Project Name and type W Benton Ave.
The project name is required and is the key to creating different projects or adding new paving areas to existing projects. Since W Benton Ave is a new project name a new Project is created.
5. On the map, click at the intersection of W Benton Ave and N Washington St to begin the sketch. Complete the sketch by double-clicking at the intersection of W Benton Ave and N Eagle St.
The W Benton Ave project is created and the project cost is calculated using the cost lookup table. The project total should be approximately $80,000. The total can vary if any cost attributes or cost values were modified or depending on the length of the line drawn.
6. The roadway is 30' wide, and the pavement type costing layer only represents one 15' wide lane. With the W Benton Ave pavement selected, on the ribbon, click the Edit tab, in the Selection group, click Attributes.
7. In the Attributes pane, update the roadway to include both lanes without having to add a second feature, update the Item Multiplier to 2.
The Total Cost is updated to 2 times the Item Cost and reflects the new value.
8. Click on the arrow next to W Benton Ave to expand to view related records.
9. Click the cell next to Group Name and type Downtown Paving.
10. On the Edit tab, in the Manage Edits group, click Save.
11. If the Save Edits dialog box appears, click Yes to save your edits.
The W Benton Ave project is added to the Downtown Paving project group, which displays the total cost for all projects in the project group.

Use the water estimator workspace

Note:

This workflow is optional and does not need to be completed to work with the solution.

The water estimator workspace uses the length of water mains, material and diameter, quantity of water valves by type and diameter, and quantity of fire hydrants by manufacturer to estimate the cost of water main replacements or new construction. This estimator also illustrates how you can build your own custom estimator that uses combinations of linear and point features with different cost attributes to drive cost calculations.

Open the water project map

The water project workspace includes everything needed to create water distribution project cost estimates including hydrant, valve and water mains, but to create water project estimates in a way that is useful to your organization some of the layers and settings need to be reviewed and updated.

To open the water projects map, complete the following steps:

1. Verify that you are signed in to your ArcGIS organization and browse to the Project Cost Estimator item.
2. From the item page, click Download.
3. Unzip the downloaded folder, and then from the unzipped folder, open the ArcGIS Pro project.
4. If you do not see the Catalog pane, from the View tab, in the Windows group, click Catalog Pane.
5. In the Catalog pane, expand Maps, and open the Water Projects map.

Update costs

The cost values provided allow for realistic project cost estimations but should be updated to reflect the costs of your organization.

To review and update the components of the water costing workspace and update the costs, complete the following steps:

1. In the Contents pane, expand the Costing Tables group, and select the Cost Fire Hydrant cost table.
2. On the ribbon, click the Standalone Table tab, in the Table group, click Open.
3. The fire hydrant costs by manufacturer are shown. Some of the manufacturers have cost values, indicating they can participate in cost estimation projects. Add, remove, or update the cost values to reflect the costs used in your organization to improve the accuracy of the project cost estimations.
4. Repeat these steps for the Cost System Valves table to update costs by valve type and diameter, and the Cost Water Mains table to update costs by material and diameter.
5. On the ribbon, click the Edit tab, in the Manage Edits group, click Save to save changes.
6. If the Save Edits dialog box appears, click Yes to save your edits.

Add operational map layers

The water estimator map is configured with what you need to create and manage water system estimates. One expected pattern of use is to use the Project Cost Estimator solution in combination with your own operational datasets. Adding your organization's operational layers to the maps can enhance the solution by providing additional awareness of existing infrastructure and assets.

To add your organization's layers to the solution's maps, complete the following steps:

1. With the Water Projects tab selected, on the ribbon, click the Map tab, in the Layer group, click Add Data.
2. In the Add Data dialog box, browse to your operational content, select the layer or layers, and click OK.

Create a water project estimate

The water projects map includes a bookmark for a downtown water main extension project that is incomplete. Use the provided water estimate and the edit templates to complete the water distribution system improvement estimate adding second project and using the same project group for both to view the combined project cost.

In this workflow, you will assume the role of a technician who wants to finish the water distribution improvement estimate for the downtown water system improvement project.

1. With the Water Projects map open, click the Map tab, in the Navigate group, click Bookmarks to expand the view and select the Downtown Improvements bookmark.
The Washington St and Van Buren Ave project: Downtown Improvements is started but incomplete.
2. On the ribbon, click the Edit tab, in the Features group, click Create to view the available feature templates for the water cost estimate.
3. Under the Costing Layers: Water Main templates, click Ductile Iron - DIP:8".
4. Click the cell next to Project Name and type Downtown Improvements.
5. Click at the intersection of Van Buren Ave and Main St to extend the water main west down Van Buren Ave. Complete the sketch by double-clicking at the intersection of Eagle St and Van Buren Ave.
The project polygon expands to include the new section of water main and the project total cost is updated to include the new item.
6. Under the Costing Layers: System Valve templates, click Gate:8".
7. In the cell next to Project Nameand type the same project name Downtown Improvements.
8. Click near the start and end of the new water main to add the valves.
9. Under the Costing Layers: Fire Hydrant templates, click Mueller Company.
10. In the cell next to Project Name and type the same project name Downtown Improvements.
11. Click near the new water main to add fire hydrants to the project estimate.
12. On the Edit tab, in the Manage Edits group, click Save.
13. If the Save Edits dialog box appears, click Yes to save your edits.
The new features are added to the Downtown Improvements project estimate and the total project cost is updated to include all project components.

Using advanced features

The only required field for creating a project is a Project Name on the costing layer features created. If your project estimations require more advanced settings the Project Cost Estimator solution is designed to be flexible to support many estimation scenarios. Here are a few advanced features:

Using the Self Defined Cost Method	If an items cost is for any reason different from the cost stored in the cost table use the Self Defined cost method on the costing layer and enter the unique cost.
Recalculating an item's cost	If any cost data has been updated an items costs can be recalculated be deleting the value in the Item Cost field.
Adding additional cost to an item or project	Additional costs can be added to an item or project by adding the amount in the Additional Cost field for either the item or project, respectively.
Using a Cost Multiplier for a cost or project	The Cost Multiplier applies the factor after any additional costs for either the item or project.
Changing the editability of an item or project	To keep an item or project from automatically updating, change the Editable field to: No.
Copying a project	Commonly when evaluating different scenarios it can be helpful to copy a project to compare different project variables and how they impact a cost estimate. With the project polygon you want to copy selected, on the Edit tab, in the Clipboard group, click Paste > Copy and Paste Special and choose the Project Template to create a new scenario, the items are also copied.
Moving an item from one project to another	To change an item to a different project, select the item and change the Project Name to either an existing project to move the item or new value to create a new project.
Using the General Costing Table	When costing layers are added without a cost field the General Costing Table can be used to set a cost at the feature level. This entry can also be used as a default if an item is used without having a cost table entry for the cost fields used.