An integrated model of computer-aided cost estimating/scheduling in construction management

Cost estimating and scheduling are traditionally performed separately in the construction process. The research discusses the culture of construction that causes non-integration between cost estimating and scheduling processes, and also analyzes a comprehensive managerial approach based on a theoretical framework of vertical and horizontal integrations for cross-functional relationships to integrate the two functions. A pattern of parallelism between processes of the two functions was identified, and concurrent engineering as a cooperative concept in the manufacturing industry was adopted for the development of an integrated model. The proposed integrated model is a change of improvement to the current conventional cost estimating and scheduling practices. The model reorients focus on the overall optimization of cost estimating/scheduling processes instead of an individual function.