Smarter Estimating, Stronger Margins: How Digital Tools are Transforming Cost Planning

This industry paper highlights best practices in cost estimating and explains how construction software can drive efficiency, improve accuracy and help to deliver better project outcomes. It includes practical tips and advice for estimators. It highlights case studies from businesses that have adopted new digital tools and processes, significantly improving their workflows, alongside some of the external drivers that are having an impact on estimators, such as the Procurement Act 2023 and the acceleration of AI.

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• Improving workflows through automation
• Integrating software tools to improve accuracy and efficiency, from bidding through to project delivery
• Working in the cloud to drive collaboration with stakeholders
• Training, upskilling and reskilling the workforce
• Utilising AI within estimating

Bluebeam, Inc. has made desktop, mobile and cloud-based solutions for paperless workflows that leverage PDF to improve project communication and streamline processes across the entire project lifecycle. Trusted by over 3 million individuals in more than 160 countries, Bluebeam’s solutions advance the way technical professionals work, manage and collaborate on projects digitally.

Dan Gerrella, Chart.PR, FCIPR (on behalf of Bluebeam) is a chartered public relations professional and technical author, writing on topics such as corporate reputation, community engagement, innovation in construction and crisis and issues management.

This article appears on the CIOB Academy site as Technical publication "Smarter Estimating, Stronger Margins: How Digital Tools are Transforming Cost Planning" dated 5 September, 2025.

--CIOB