Quantity Checking

The Quantity Checking feature allows you to compare the quantity of a superior cost item to the sum of its relevant subordinate cost item quantities. This setting enables the use of the Quantity Check and Quantity Warning columns in the Cost Breakdown Structure. The use of these columns can assist in confirming whether or not your quantities are correct.

The subordinate cost item quantities need to have the same unit of measure as the superior cost item before you are able to choose the Quantity Check column.

In the example below, break a concrete pour cost item into four subordinate parts. The Forecast (T/O) Quantity of the superior item will be 156875.00 tons of concrete. Start by dividing each of the four parts into 35000.00 tons each. Once you have broken out this concrete pour, determine if you need a fifth pour or if you should distribute the remaining quantity to the four pours. The factors you keep in mind are the trips and time involved in the extra pour vs capacity of equipment.

Step by Step — Quantity Checking

  1. From the Ribbon, select the Setup tab.

  2. Under the section Initialize, select Job Properties. Then select the Cost Basis tab.

    3. Quantity checking starts by turning the feature on in the Job Properties. If you want to have quantity checking turned on for all jobs in Estimate, then this setting needs to be turned on in the Master Job Properties. The Master Job Properties is located in the Library.

  3. From the Rules data box, select the Activate Quantity Checking check box.

  4. Next bring a couple of columns into your view on the Cost Breakdown Structure (CBS) Register. Right click on the column header and choose Go To Column.

  5. The Go To Column dialog box appears. Have the Include columns that are not currently in the view check box selected.

  6. Click OK when you have selected your preferred columns.

    7. Next, toggle the check box for the Quantity Check column.

  7. As you check Quantity Check for the four batches of Concrete, the superior cost item Quantity Warning turns yellow. This is indicating a quantity warning. Hover your mouse over the superior cost item Quantity Warning column. Then, an overlay message appears showing the quantity discrepancy. Apply this discrepancy to the Subordinate cost items. That way, the superior cost item with be the sum of the parts.

  8. The remaining quantity is 16875.00 tons which does not warrant a fifth pour.