3 - Estimating
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      3. 3 - Estimating

      3.2 - Creating a baseline assessment

      In this article

      What is a baseline assessment?

      Chalkstring uses the same functionality to create cost plans, estimates and variations at every stage of a project.  We use the term 'Assessment' because it covers both pre and post-contract activities. 

      An assessment contains the following elements:

      • A rate build-up which uses product templates to define the scope of work
      • A bill of quantities which defines the structure (zones) of the project and the amounts required
      • Fixed costs which are used to define prelims required for the project
      • An assessment overview which provides a financial summary and breakdown of the items specified above

      You can create multiple assessments within each work package of your project. These can be used to price up variations in scope or manufacturer or to compare supplier prices.

      A baseline assessment is defined as an assessment that contains the contracted scope of work before quotes or profit expectations have been applied. By saving this baseline you can then create copies that you can tweak without affecting the original scope. 


      Creating and using assessments

      The following video (18 mins) covers:

      • Introduction to assessments (0.15)
      • Assessment Overview screen (1.11)
      • What is a baseline assessment? (4.23)
      • Creating a baseline assessment (4.56)
      • Setting up the Bill of quantities (9.38)
      • Adding a single zone (10.07)
      • Adding main and subzones (11.13)
      • Colour coding in the Bill of quantities (13.53)

      Test your learning

      Now that you have learned more about creating assessments, try it out for yourself. The following activity documents contain practice examples to apply what you've learned.

      Want to know more?