REPORT WRITING AND COST ESTIMATING CE 3372 Lecture 09
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OVERVIEW Report Writing Cost Estimating
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REPORT WRITING
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FUNDAMENTALS Know your audience Professional! Explain the
problem Discuss solving method Describe findings/results Example:
Car Service Repair
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PROJECT REPORT Outline is based on the HCFCD Drainage Manual
Report Format Letter of Transmittal Cover Table of Contents List of
Tables and Figures Executive Summary Section 1 Introduction Section
2 Existing Conditions Section 3 Hydrology and Hydraulics Section 4
Proposed Drainage Plan
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TRANSMITTAL LETTER Formal business letter to person that
commissioned the report Brief. Includes: Salutation (Dear Mr.
_____) Purpose of letter Describe what is being sent Main findings
of report End transmittal letters with a one-sentence paragraph
that establishes goodwill by thanking or complimenting the
recipient. Signature from all members with credentials
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COVER Include Team name and members Title of the Project
Date
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EXEC SUMMARY Informs reader precisely of: research problem
analysis method results TL;DR Reader shouldnt have to read whole
report to get main points Summary!! Limit to one (1) page
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SECTION 1 INTRODUCTION 1.1 Project Name and Purpose 1.2 Project
Limits 1.3 Project Objectives 1.4 Assumptions and Constraints 1.5
PriorStudies
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SECTION 1 INTRODUCTION Explains the research problem and its
context briefly Importance of problem Reasons and goals for study
Limitations You want your audience to understand WHY the report is
important WHY its being written WHY reader should read it Present
Tense
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SECTION 2 EX. CONDITIONS 2.1 Location and Topography 2.2 Land
Use 2.3 HCFCD Facilities and Unit Numbers 2.4 Right-of-Way 2.5
Pipelines and Utilities
SECTION 3 H&H Methodology Explains how: Data was
gathered/generated Data was analyzed Assumes reader understands
material Is in past tense and passive voice The research has been
carried out
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SECTION 3 H&H Active vs. Passive Active: I observed the
angle to be... Passive: The angle was observed to be... Active: The
authors suggest... Passive: It is suggested.. Active: We used
EPANET to.. Passive: The hydraulic model EPANET was used to..
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SECTION 3 H&H Hedging words It would appear that These
results suggest It would seem A cause of this may be A possible
explanation for this is
SECTION 4 PROPOSED PLAN Results Visually and textually
represents findings Visually: Graphs, tables, diagrams, charts,
screen captures Please describe Figures and Tables correctly
Explanatory text: Points out most significant portions of research
findings Highlights expected and/or unexpected findings
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SECTION 4 PROPOSED PLAN Discussion Assesses and comments on
research results Explanation for Results Recommendations Summary
Similar to the Exec Summary Focuses more of results, cost,
etc.
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PROJECT REPORT Letter of Transmittal Cover Table of Contents
List of Tables and Figures Executive Summary Section 1 Introduction
Section 2 Existing Conditions Section 3 Hydrology and Hydraulics
Section 4 Proposed Drainage Plan
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REQUIREMENTS Label Figures and Tables correctly Headings and
sub-headings Proper grammar Flow No contractions (wont, cant) No
rhetorical questions
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COST ESTIMATING
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PRIVATE PROJECT COST ESTIMATES Feasibility Determines no/go
decision Prepared prior to development Based on general scope of
project (items/work hours/etc) Includes significant contingency
(30%) Preliminary Prepared after plan has evolved but before any
construction drawings Used by developer to secure funding/ assist
in developing alternatives before final decision on product details
Accuracy +/- 10-15% Contingency (15-20%) Construction/Detailed
Prepared after plans have been approved Accuracy +/- 5%
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FEASIBILITY ESTIMATE
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PRELIMINARY ESTIMATE Developed from plans that have not yet
reached sufficient detail Purpose is to: Acquire approvals from
permitting jurisdiction Determine problems that will affect project
Determine cost to construct Help developer to obtain developer loan
applications Water Supply Pipes - dollars per linear foot Valves,
hydrants, fire lines, pumps
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CONSTRUCTION ESTIMATE Generally developed after construction
plans have been approved Quantity takeoffs to be determined Double
check estimates with a PE (more experience)