Working with Conceptual Estimates

In early-phase planning, you might need to estimate construction work that has not yet been fully defined. In AASHTOWare Project Estimation, the initial definition of proposed work is called a concept. A concept is the starting point in the cost estimation life cycle, spanning the first two phases of estimation (initial and program estimates). A single concept can be associated with multiple cost estimates, enabling you to evaluate different methodologies and pricing scenarios. Typical sections, parametric items, and ad hoc pricing can be useful during the early stages of planning. A conceptual estimate can later be modified, combined, or separated to form a traditional construction project or part of a project. When a concept is transitioned to become a project, the associated cost estimates are transferred to the project.

The Concept Overview provides access to all the concepts currently recorded. To access the Concept Overview, click the Concepts link in the Estimation component.

To locate a specific concept, type criteria in the Quick Find search box or by click Show first 10. The system displays a list of rows for all the concepts in the system that match your search criteria. Each row contains an Actions button and current values for the following fields:

To delete a concept, select Delete from the Actions menu on the concept row. The system shades the row gray to indicate it is marked for deletion.

Note: When you delete a concept, all cost estimates associated with the concept are also deleted. All records associated with the cost estimate are deleted, including any variables, markups, items, item task groups, item bid price tasks, item reference price tasks, typical sections and typical section child records, contingency assignment profiles, cost estimate categories, and file or URL attachments.

Note: If your agency has the Take Snapshot Before Concept Delete agency option set to Yes, the system automatically creates a snapshot for all cost estimates associated with the concept before the concept is deleted (see Working with Snapshots).

To reverse the deletion, click the Undo button. Click the Save button to apply your changes. The system displays a message to confirm that your changes were saved in the database.

To change or view information included in a concept, click the Concept ID link or select Open from the Actions menu on the concept row to go to the Concept Summary component (see Maintaining a Concept).

To add a new concept to the system, select Add from the Actions menu on the component header to go to the Add Concept component. For more information, see Adding a Concept.

To add a new concept by copying another concept, select Copy from the Actions menu on the concept row. For more information, see Copying a Concept.

To create a new concept by copying information from a project, navigate to the Project Overview component and select Copy to Concept from the Actions menu on the project row. For more information, see Creating a Concept from a Project.

To create a new concept and an associated cost estimate by copying information from a cost estimate snapshot, select Copy Concept Snapshot from the Actions menu on the concept row. For more information, see Creating a Concept from a Snapshot.

To export the cost estimates associated with a concept, select Export Cost Estimates from the Actions menu on the concept row. For more information, see Exporting Cost Estimates.

To transition a concept to a new project, select Transition to New Project from the Actions menu on the concept row. For more information, see Transitioning a Concept to a New Project.

To transition a concept to an existing project, select Transition to Existing Project from the Actions menu on the concept row. For more information, see Transitioning a Concept to an Existing Project.

To change the spec book of a concept and its associated cost estimates, select Update Concept Spec Book from the Actions menu on the concept row. For more information, see Updating a Concept Spec Book.

To access snapshots of cost estimates associated with a concept, select Cost Estimate Snapshots from the Actions menu on the concept row. For more information, see Maintaining Cost Estimate Snapshots for a Concept.