To open the Cost Breakdown Structure, select the Estimate tab, then select Cost Breakdown Structure. The Cost Breakdown Structure is the form used for estimating costs and is the primary form used by estimators. On the Actions and More Actions tabs, you can edit cost items and import and export estimate information. These will be covered in greater detail in other topics.
The cost breakdown structure is the hierarchy of work activities that make up the estimate. Each row of the CBS represents a work activity, or organizing category, and is called a cost item. Each cost item can contain a breakdown of the labor, equipment and materials needed to do the work, along with their quantities and hours to determine how much each task will cost. InEight Estimate uses various terms to describe the parent child relationships of the multiple levels in the CBS, which are superior, subordinate, and terminal. The levels of the CBS are referred to as level one, level two, etcetera, as you drill down in the structure. As costs are defined on the terminal items, the sum of the terminal cost items roll up to the superior cost items.
The default standard view of the CBS register contains a simple view with key pertinent information for the breakdown of your estimated costs. You can use any of the saved views to modify the register to include the information you want to see.
If your CBS filter tree isn't already open, click on the CBS tree filter to allow you to navigate and filter your cost breakdown structure. You'll be able to better understand the distinction between filter and navigation modes by tiling a cost item. As you click through the CBS tree, the filtered result is shown to the right of the CBS tree with no change to the cost item record on the right side. Because you're in the filter mode, you'll see only the cost item and any subordinates on the right, so you can focus on just those cost items. This is especially helpful for navigating large projects that have hundreds of cost items. However, in navigation mode, when you click on the item in the CBS tree, you are also navigating through your estimate. This is often easier than using the Previous and Next buttons while allowing you to see the structure of the estimate.
In the CBS of the newly created estimate, the quantities used for your cost items are the quantities you measure or take off. When you create new cost items, you'll enter their takeoff quantities in the forecast takeoff quantity field. Since the job is locked, the forecast takeoff quantity was brought over from the Pay Item and Proposal register, but you can adjust it if needed in the CBS register. For example, you could change the clearing and grubbing quantity and the unclassified excavation quantities.
Well, we've taken a look at the basics of the Cost Breakdown Structure. Thanks for watching.
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