Autodesk Unveils Cost Management add-on for BIM 360 Build

Last week Autodesk unveiled a new Cost Management tool that works within BIM 360 Build.

Keep reading to learn more...


Autodesk post (and video):
Autodesk Introduces Powerful Construction Cost Management Workflows to the BIM 360 Platform

Here are some points Autodesk lists in favor of switching to this workflow:

• Single Source of Truth…rather than having multiple spreadsheets saved in different locations. A common data platform allows teams to centralize all of the inputted cost data in one place that is accessible any-time, any-where.
  
  
• Connected…a cloud-based platform with open APIs allows for integrations to other cost applications as well as connects with other construction workflows.
• Flexible…a big advantage of Excel is that teams can easily customize fields and equations to make spreadsheets work for them. This flexibility is built into cloud cost solutions like BIM 360 with the ability to customize budget codes, hierarchical build ups, and custom segment options.
• Collaborative…Unlike static spreadsheets or outdated desktop software, anyone on the team has real time access to the financial health of a project and can make instant changes.
• Secure…an integrated cloud platform like BIM 360 allows teams to set user permissions ensuring that only the right people have access to the information they need.

I have not tried it and do not fully know what its full potential is, but wanted to share to those who might need this can investigate more.

A few interesting observations from the short video:

• "Generate Project Budgets and Contracts" It looks like this is contractor/supplier contracts... as I cannot imagine architects and engineers moving away from current practices (i.e. AIA contracts).
• "Proposed Change Order" Never heard of a "proposed" change order. I think the proper term is Proposal Request, e.g. AIA G709 Work Change Proposal Request. But I am no attorney and am not providing legal advice:)

Please comment below to correct me or add your thoughts.

In the near future I will try and publish a post on a workflow I developed, and have presented, on managing costs (including soft costs) directly within Revit.

Update: Here is the post I wrote on doing cost estimating directly in Revit.

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