Designing Buildings - User contributions [en]

Project benchmarking

2022-11-30T16:34:04Z

Pawley:

See also: Benchmarking as business tool.

Benchmarking is a process by which the estimated performance (often cost) of a project is compared to other similar projects. This can highlight areas of design that are not offering good value for money and can help in the assessment of tenders from suppliers and contractors.

Benchmarking is increasingly being carried out on public projects, where the government has access to large amounts of cost data for similar projects. For example, when analysis of the recent schools programme was carried out, it was found that it '... exposed variations in costs that could not be justified by project differences' (ref. [http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/resource-library/government-construction-strategy Cabinet Office: Government Construction Strategy], May 2011).

It is now proposed that cost benchmarking should be carried out across all government capital programmes to create baselines for a cost/value-led approach to procurement.

In the private sector, comparable cost information may not be so readily available. However, large organisations may have access to in-house cost information, and some cost information is published. Comparative information can also be purchased from sources such as the [http://www.bcis.co.uk/site/index.aspx Building Cost Information Service (BCIS).] See BCIS Online for a description of the tender price and duration information available.

It is important, however, that benchmarking does not simply consider construction costs, as these are only a small proportion of whole-life costs, and setting a low benchmark for construction could result in higher operating, maintenance and refurbishment costs throughout the life of the building.

There is now an increasing amount of data available about energy use, sustainability and whole-life costs such as:

* [http://www.carbonbuzz.org/ CarbonBuzz,] an on-line service that allows architects and engineers to share project forecasts and energy use anonymously.
* Bench iT, a service for quantity surveyors to benchmark KPI's
* The Carbon Trust Energy Benchmarking
* [http://www.cibse.org The Chartered Institute of Building Services Engineers].
* Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM).
* Closing the Loop – Benchmarks for Sustainable Buildings (RIBA).

It is important also to consider both quality and time, as the lowest cost option may not always offer the best value for the client or deliver a completed project within the required timeframe.

= Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki =

* Acceleration of construction works.
* Additionality.
* Bench iT
* Benchmark.
* Benchmarking as business tool.
* Best practice.
* Business case.
* Carbon Buzz.
* Cash flow statement.
* Construction project.
* Demonstration project.
* Design-Build Institute of America DBIA.
* Design review.
* Design quality.
* Earned value analysis.
* Estimate.
* Health performance indicators in the built environment.
* Identifying the causes of trends in construction labour productivity.
* Independent review of construction frameworks.
* Key performance indicators.
* Pareto analysis.
* Practice.
* Productivity in construction: Creating a framework for the industry to thrive.
* Project performance management.
* Public sector comparator.
* Time management of construction projects.
* Value management techniques.
* Whole-life costs.

= External references =

* [http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/resource-library/government-construction-strategy Government construction strategy], Page 11.

[[Category:DCN_Definition]] [[Category:DCN_Guidance]] [[Category:Cost_/_business_planning]] [[Category:Design]] [[Category:Public_procedures]]

File:Bench iT logo.png

2022-11-01T12:01:42Z

Pawley:

The logo image for the Bench iT benchmarking program. Found [https://home.benchit.app here]

Bench iT

2022-11-01T11:57:33Z

Pawley:

= [[File:Bench_iT_logo.png|link=File:Bench_iT_logo.png]]Introduction =

[https://home.benchit.app Bench iT] is a cloud based web application for [https://www.designingbuildings.co.uk/wiki/Project_benchmarking project benchmarking] in the construction industry. Developed specifically for [https://www.designingbuildings.co.uk/wiki/Quantity_surveyor quantity surveyors], [[Architects|architects]] and [[Developer|developers]] to track, manage and [[Order_of_cost_estimate|estimate]] future projects based on current and historical data. Unlike [[BCIS|BCIS]], Bench iT’s data is not available to all users of the site rather data contained within the database remains property of the submitting organisation.

= History =

Bench iT was made publicly available in September 2022 after a successful private beta. It is currently in version 1.0 whilst initial features are expanded before new features are implemented.

Sign up is currently open with an initial 30-day trial

= Usage =

Bench iT uses a dashboard style user interface with a main information screen and a left-side navigation tab. Bench iT is a web application, thus can be accessed via any modern day browser from anywhere in the world.

Bench iT combines visual graphs, spreadsheets and report like analyses throughout to provide users with an insight into their projects, past and present.

Projects are uploaded by users - Bench iT has Artificial Intelligence to analyse uploaded pricing documents such as [[Bill_of_quantities|Bills of Quantities]] however more accuracy is garnered when a full [[Cost_Benchmarking_Principles_and_Expectations|benchmarking study]] is carried out by the quantity surveyor.

Projects can be viewed individually or in aggregate (with or without filters) depending on the type of analysis that is required, for example comparing two projects against one another or comparing high level trends in procurement routes for various building types.

= Features =

The current version of Bench iT ships with multiple features, some are listed below:

* Rebasing - Using in house analysis of market trends projects can be estimated at an earlier or later date cost.
* Project detail - Individual KPI benchmarking and high/low level cost analysis.
* Pricing document viewer - Pricing documents (i.e. bills of quantities) can be viewed in browser in a spreadsheet like format
* Pricing document hosting - Pricing documents are downloadable from the project page
* Project comparison - Compare two projects or estimates for procurement, cost, program and stakeholder variance
* Element search - Search for costs within all contained pricing documents
* Analysis - General aggregate data of projects, can be filtered for any building case
* Cost forecasting - Built in high level cost estimation based on m2 rate or functional unit
* Cost planning - Built in cost planning per NRM1 element based on custom amounts, AI generated rates or m2 rates per elemental unit
* Stakeholder benchmarking - Benchmark client, architect & contractor performance

= Related articles on [https://www.designingbuildings.co.uk/wiki/Designing_Buildings_Wiki Designing Buildings Wiki] =

* benchmarking
* project benchmarking
* [https://www.designingbuildings.co.uk/wiki/Carbon_Buzz Carbon Buzz].
* [https://www.designingbuildings.co.uk/wiki/Benchmarking_as_business_tool Benchmarking as business tool].
* cost estimation
* quantity surveyor

[[Category:Construction_management]] [[Category:Construction_techniques]] [[Category:Cost_/_business_planning]]

Benchmarking as business tool

2022-11-01T11:55:47Z

Pawley:

To help develop this article, click 'Edit this article' above.

-----
Benchmarking is a business enhancement, planning and development tool, it is widely used by the legal professions. The analysis focuses on four key areas:

* Financial performance indicators.
* Day-to-day management systems.
* Business development.
* Human resources issues.

Benchmarking provides an opportunity to assess performance against comparable businesses and gives an insight into the current business environment.

The RIBA provides a benchmarking service based on an annual survey of the UK architect’s profession. This annual benchmarking survey provides vital business knowledge about how a practise compares to others across a broad spectrum of criteria. Practises are able to make comparisons with the average data provided for practises of similar size, type and region. This allows them to identify areas of strength weakness and opportunity, and to develop a strategy that aims for improvements on a yearly basis.

Benchmarking is also a process that takes into consideration the estimated performance of a project and if costs are been compared, can highlight areas of design that do not offer good value for money. It can also aid in the assessment of tenders from suppliers and contractors, creating a baseline for a cost/ value led approach to procurement. For more information see project benchmarking.

= Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki =

* Additionality.
* Benchmark
* Bench iT
* Business case.
* Carbon Buzz.
* Design review.
* Design quality.
* Earned value analysis.
* Experience Exchange Report EER.
* Facilities management audit FMA.
* Facility condition assessment FCA.
* Facility condition index FCI.
* Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark GRESB.
* Key performance indicators.
* Maximising maintenance budgets after lockdown.
* Project benchmarking.
* Value management techniques.
* Vested outsourcing.
* Whole-life costs.

[[Category:Articles_needing_more_work]] [[Category:DCN_Definition]] [[Category:DCN_Guidance]]

Project benchmarking

2022-11-01T11:54:56Z

Pawley:

See also: Benchmarking as business tool.

Benchmarking is a process by which the estimated performance (often cost) of a project is compared to other similar projects. This can highlight areas of design that are not offering good value for money and can help in the assessment of tenders from suppliers and contractors.

Benchmarking is increasingly being carried out on public projects, where the government has access to large amounts of cost data for similar projects. For example, when analysis of the recent schools programme was carried out, it was found that it '... exposed variations in costs that could not be justified by project differences' (ref. [http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/resource-library/government-construction-strategy Cabinet Office: Government Construction Strategy], May 2011).

It is now proposed that cost benchmarking should be carried out across all government capital programmes to create baselines for a cost/value-led approach to procurement.

In the private sector, comparable cost information may not be so readily available. However, large organisations may have access to in-house cost information, and some cost information is published. Comparative information can also be purchased from sources such as the [http://www.bcis.co.uk/site/index.aspx Building Cost Information Service (BCIS).] See BCIS Online for a description of the tender price and duration information available.

It is important, however, that benchmarking does not simply consider construction costs, as these are only a small proportion of whole-life costs, and setting a low benchmark for construction could result in higher operating, maintenance and refurbishment costs throughout the life of the building.

There is now an increasing amount of data available about energy use, sustainability and whole-life costs such as:

* [http://www.carbonbuzz.org/ CarbonBuzz,] an on-line service that allows architects and engineers to share project forecasts and energy use anonymously.
* Bench iT, a service for quantity surveyors to benchmark KPI's
* The Carbon Trust Energy Benchmarking
* [http://www.cibse.org The Chartered Institute of Building Services Engineers].
* Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM).
* Closing the Loop – Benchmarks for Sustainable Buildings (RIBA).

It is important also to consider both quality and time, as the lowest cost option may not always offer the best value for the client or deliver a completed project within the required timeframe.

= Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki =

* Acceleration of construction works.
* Additionality.
* Benchmark.
* Benchmarking as business tool.
* Best practice.
* Business case.
* Carbon Buzz.
* Cash flow statement.
* Construction project.
* Demonstration project.
* Design-Build Institute of America DBIA.
* Design review.
* Design quality.
* Earned value analysis.
* Estimate.
* Health performance indicators in the built environment.
* Identifying the causes of trends in construction labour productivity.
* Independent review of construction frameworks.
* Key performance indicators.
* Pareto analysis.
* Practice.
* Productivity in construction: Creating a framework for the industry to thrive.
* Project performance management.
* Public sector comparator.
* Time management of construction projects.
* Value management techniques.
* Whole-life costs.

= External references =

* [http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/resource-library/government-construction-strategy Government construction strategy], Page 11.

[[Category:DCN_Definition]] [[Category:DCN_Guidance]] [[Category:Cost_/_business_planning]] [[Category:Design]] [[Category:Public_procedures]]

Bench iT

2022-11-01T11:53:21Z

Pawley:

= [[File:Bench_iT_logo.png|link=File:Bench_iT_logo.png]]Introduction =

[https://home.benchit.app Bench iT] is a cloud based web application for [https://www.designingbuildings.co.uk/wiki/Project_benchmarking project benchmarking] in the construction industry. Developed specifically for [https://www.designingbuildings.co.uk/wiki/Quantity_surveyor quantity surveyors], [[Architects|architects]] and [[Developer|developers]] to track, manage and [[Order_of_cost_estimate|estimate]] future projects based on current and historical data. Unlike [[BCIS|BCIS]], Bench iT’s data is not available to all users of the site rather data contained within the database remains property of the submitting organisation.

= History =

Bench iT was made publicly available in September 2022 after a successful private beta. It is currently in version 1.0 whilst initial features are expanded before new features are implemented.

Sign up is currently open with an initial 30-day trial

= Usage =

Bench iT uses a dashboard style user interface with a main information screen and a left-side navigation tab. Bench iT is a web application, thus can be accessed via any modern day browser from anywhere in the world.

Bench iT combines visual graphs, spreadsheets and report like analyses throughout to provide users with an insight into their projects, past and present.

Projects are uploaded by users - Bench iT has Artificial Intelligence to analyse uploaded pricing documents such as [[Bill_of_quantities|Bills of Quantities]] however more accuracy is garnered when a full [[Cost_Benchmarking_Principles_and_Expectations|benchmarking study]] is carried out by the quantity surveyor.

Projects can be viewed individually or in aggregate (with or without filters) depending on the type of analysis that is required, for example comparing two projects against one another or comparing high level trends in procurement routes for various building types.

= Features =

The current version of Bench iT ships with multiple features, some are listed below:

* Rebasing - Using in house analysis of market trends projects can be estimated at an earlier or later date cost.
* Project detail - Individual KPI benchmarking and high/low level cost analysis.
* Pricing document viewer - Pricing documents (i.e. bills of quantities) can be viewed in browser in a spreadsheet like format
* Pricing document hosting - Pricing documents are downloadable from the project page
* Project comparison - Compare two projects or estimates for procurement, cost, program and stakeholder variance
* Element search - Search for costs within all contained pricing documents
* Analysis - General aggregate data of projects, can be filtered for any building case
* Cost forecasting - Built in high level cost estimation based on m2 rate or functional unit
* Cost planning - Built in cost planning per NRM1 element based on custom amounts, AI generated rates or m2 rates per elemental unit
* Stakeholder benchmarking - Benchmark client, architect & contractor performance

[[Category:Construction_management]] [[Category:Construction_techniques]] [[Category:Cost_/_business_planning]]

Bench iT

2022-11-01T11:50:21Z

Pawley:

= [[File:Bench iT logo.png]]Introduction =

Bench iT is a cloud based web application for [https://www.designingbuildings.co.uk/wiki/Project_benchmarking project benchmarking] in the construction industry. Developed specifically for [https://www.designingbuildings.co.uk/wiki/Quantity_surveyor quantity surveyors], [[Architects|architects]] and [[Developer|developers]] to track, manage and [[Order_of_cost_estimate|estimate]] future projects based on current and historical data. Unlike [[BCIS|BCIS]], Bench iT’s data is not available to all users of the site rather data contained within the database remains property of the submitting organisation.

= History =

Bench iT was made publicly available in September 2022 after a successful private beta. It is currently in version 1.0 whilst initial features are expanded before new features are implemented.

Sign up is currently open with an initial 30-day trial

= Usage =

Bench iT uses a dashboard style user interface with a main information screen and a left-side navigation tab. Bench iT is a web application, thus can be accessed via any modern day browser from anywhere in the world.

Bench iT combines visual graphs, spreadsheets and report like analyses throughout to provide users with an insight into their projects, past and present.

Projects are uploaded by users - Bench iT has Artificial Intelligence to analyse uploaded pricing documents such as [[Bill_of_quantities|Bills of Quantities]] however more accuracy is garnered when a full [[Cost_Benchmarking_Principles_and_Expectations|benchmarking study]] is carried out by the quantity surveyor.

Projects can be viewed individually or in aggregate (with or without filters) depending on the type of analysis that is required, for example comparing two projects against one another or comparing high level trends in procurement routes for various building types.

= Features =

The current version of Bench iT ships with multiple features, some are listed below:

* Rebasing - Using in house analysis of market trends projects can be estimated at an earlier or later date cost.
* Project detail - Individual KPI benchmarking and high/low level cost analysis.
* Pricing document viewer - Pricing documents (i.e. bills of quantities) can be viewed in browser in a spreadsheet like format
* Pricing document hosting - Pricing documents are downloadable from the project page
* Project comparison - Compare two projects or estimates for procurement, cost, program and stakeholder variance
* Element search - Search for costs within all contained pricing documents
* Analysis - General aggregate data of projects, can be filtered for any building case
* Cost forecasting - Built in high level cost estimation based on m2 rate or functional unit
* Cost planning - Built in cost planning per NRM1 element based on custom amounts, AI generated rates or m2 rates per elemental unit
* Stakeholder benchmarking - Benchmark client, architect & contractor performance

[[Category:Construction_management]] [[Category:Construction_techniques]] [[Category:Cost_/_business_planning]]

File:Bench iT logo.png

2022-11-01T11:49:16Z

Pawley: The logo image for the Bench iT benchmarking program

The logo image for the Bench iT benchmarking program

Bench iT

2022-11-01T11:48:00Z

Pawley: Created page with "= Introduction = Bench iT is a cloud based web application for [https://www.designingbuildings.co.uk/wiki/Project_benchmarking project benchmarking] in the construction industry..."

= Introduction =

Bench iT is a cloud based web application for [https://www.designingbuildings.co.uk/wiki/Project_benchmarking project benchmarking] in the construction industry. Developed specifically for [https://www.designingbuildings.co.uk/wiki/Quantity_surveyor quantity surveyors], [[Architects|architects]] and [[Developer|developers]] to track, manage and [[Order_of_cost_estimate|estimate]] future projects based on current and historical data. Unlike [[BCIS|BCIS]], Bench iT’s data is not available to all users of the site rather data contained within the database remains property of the submitting organisation.

= History =

Bench iT was made publicly available in September 2022 after a successful private beta. It is currently in version 1.0 whilst initial features are expanded before new features are implemented.

Sign up is currently open with an initial 30-day trial

= Usage =

Bench iT uses a dashboard style user interface with a main information screen and a left-side navigation tab. Bench iT is a web application, thus can be accessed via any modern day browser from anywhere in the world.

Bench iT combines visual graphs, spreadsheets and report like analyses throughout to provide users with an insight into their projects, past and present.

Projects are uploaded by users - Bench iT has Artificial Intelligence to analyse uploaded pricing documents such as [[Bill_of_quantities|Bills of Quantities]] however more accuracy is garnered when a full [[Cost_Benchmarking_Principles_and_Expectations|benchmarking study]] is carried out by the quantity surveyor.

Projects can be viewed individually or in aggregate (with or without filters) depending on the type of analysis that is required, for example comparing two projects against one another or comparing high level trends in procurement routes for various building types.

= Features =

The current version of Bench iT ships with multiple features, some are listed below:

* Rebasing - Using in house analysis of market trends projects can be estimated at an earlier or later date cost.
* Project detail - Individual KPI benchmarking and high/low level cost analysis.
* Pricing document viewer - Pricing documents (i.e. bills of quantities) can be viewed in browser in a spreadsheet like format
* Pricing document hosting - Pricing documents are downloadable from the project page
* Project comparison - Compare two projects or estimates for procurement, cost, program and stakeholder variance
* Element search - Search for costs within all contained pricing documents
* Analysis - General aggregate data of projects, can be filtered for any building case
* Cost forecasting - Built in high level cost estimation based on m2 rate or functional unit
* Cost planning - Built in cost planning per NRM1 element based on custom amounts, AI generated rates or m2 rates per elemental unit
* Stakeholder benchmarking - Benchmark client, architect & contractor performance

[[Category:Construction_management]] [[Category:Construction_techniques]] [[Category:Cost_/_business_planning]]