A Bayesian approach for forecasting errors of budget cost estimates

Accurate estimation of budget costs is critical for effective management of construction projects. The performance of various management functions is dependent on the accuracy of the estimates throughout the construction phase. These estimates, however, inevitably involve a considerable amount of e...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Seokyon Hwang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Vilnius Gediminas Technical University 2016-03-01
Series:Journal of Civil Engineering and Management
Subjects:
Online Access:http://journals.vgtu.lt/index.php/JCEM/article/view/1288
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spelling doaj-0941d2a604914d5d8467070aa5a8459e2021-07-02T11:52:24ZengVilnius Gediminas Technical UniversityJournal of Civil Engineering and Management1392-37301822-36052016-03-0122210.3846/13923730.2014.897981A Bayesian approach for forecasting errors of budget cost estimatesSeokyon Hwang0Reese Construction Management Program, Lamar University, P.O. Box 10565, Beaumont, TX 77710, USA Accurate estimation of budget costs is critical for effective management of construction projects. The performance of various management functions is dependent on the accuracy of the estimates throughout the construction phase. These estimates, however, inevitably involve a considerable amount of error, which imperatively requires the evaluation of budget cost estimates and the measurement of errors associated with the estimates. Applying an analytical procedure, this study carried out a thorough statistical analysis of existing practice in the construction industry to identify limitations of the practice. As an alternative to the practice, a Bayesian approach was found to be more appropriate than the industry common practice to account for the probabilistic nature of estimates and to forecast errors associated with the budget estimates. A scenario-based example is included to demonstrate application of the analytical procedure for analysing historical cost performance data that are readily available in most construction companies. First published online: 27 Aug 2015 http://journals.vgtu.lt/index.php/JCEM/article/view/1288cost estimatingestimate errorsBayesian approachrisk managementcost contingency
collection DOAJ
language English
format Article
sources DOAJ
author Seokyon Hwang
spellingShingle Seokyon Hwang
A Bayesian approach for forecasting errors of budget cost estimates
Journal of Civil Engineering and Management
cost estimating
estimate errors
Bayesian approach
risk management
cost contingency
author_facet Seokyon Hwang
author_sort Seokyon Hwang
title A Bayesian approach for forecasting errors of budget cost estimates
title_short A Bayesian approach for forecasting errors of budget cost estimates
title_full A Bayesian approach for forecasting errors of budget cost estimates
title_fullStr A Bayesian approach for forecasting errors of budget cost estimates
title_full_unstemmed A Bayesian approach for forecasting errors of budget cost estimates
title_sort bayesian approach for forecasting errors of budget cost estimates
publisher Vilnius Gediminas Technical University
series Journal of Civil Engineering and Management
issn 1392-3730
1822-3605
publishDate 2016-03-01
description Accurate estimation of budget costs is critical for effective management of construction projects. The performance of various management functions is dependent on the accuracy of the estimates throughout the construction phase. These estimates, however, inevitably involve a considerable amount of error, which imperatively requires the evaluation of budget cost estimates and the measurement of errors associated with the estimates. Applying an analytical procedure, this study carried out a thorough statistical analysis of existing practice in the construction industry to identify limitations of the practice. As an alternative to the practice, a Bayesian approach was found to be more appropriate than the industry common practice to account for the probabilistic nature of estimates and to forecast errors associated with the budget estimates. A scenario-based example is included to demonstrate application of the analytical procedure for analysing historical cost performance data that are readily available in most construction companies. First published online: 27 Aug 2015
topic cost estimating
estimate errors
Bayesian approach
risk management
cost contingency
url http://journals.vgtu.lt/index.php/JCEM/article/view/1288
work_keys_str_mv AT seokyonhwang abayesianapproachforforecastingerrorsofbudgetcostestimates
AT seokyonhwang bayesianapproachforforecastingerrorsofbudgetcostestimates
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