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Project Management Template
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1. Overview
1.1. The UNIFORMAT II Elemental Project Template is based on ASTM E1557 Standard Classification for Building Elements and Related Sitework - UNIFORMAT II and on NIST Special Publication 841 UNIFORMAT II - A Recommended Classification for Building Elements and Related Sitework.
1.2. Design professionals can use the UNIFORMAT II Elemental Project Template to produce co-ordinated preliminary project descriptions, budgets and, in some cases, schedules for construction projects at the beginning of the design process.
1.3. Other applications include:
1.3.1. value engineering for construction projects;
1.3.2. preparation of elemental specifications for requests for proposals and submissions for design-build and other types of construction projects;
1.3.3. construction project progress reports, deficiency reports, mortgage monitoring and commissioning;
1.3.4. facilities management, building surveys and condition reports.
1.4. Use standard computer spreadsheet commands to edit the worksheets provided on disk. No special software is required.
1.5. Questions or comments? Contact Hugh Trudeau at HPT-Buildwrite, voice (613) 233-9455, facsimile (613) 567-3894, or E-mail "buildwrite@cyberus.ca".
2. Items Included With The Elemental Project Template
2.1. This User's Guide, background articles, and UNIFORMAT II Summary tables.
2.2. Computer file containing the UNIFORMAT II Elemental Project Template workbook. Each worksheet contains a single table, listing and describing the building elements in accordance with UNIFORMAT II. The first worksheet contains an elemental budget linked to the worksheets for each element group. Costs for each element are transferred automically by reference to the applicable work sheet cells.
3. Recommended Procedures
3.1. Read this brief User's Guide and review the UNIFORMAT II Elemental Project Template workbook and the related background material. For more information consult the documents listed in the bibliography.
3.2. Create a directory on your computer's hard disk and copy the files into it. Depending on the version of Excel specified, the file on the diskette may be a ZIP file or a standard file.
3.3. When you begin a new project, copy the UNIFORMAT II Elemental Project Template workbook file to the project directory and edit it as applicable for the project and application.
3.4. Follow procedures in your spreadsheet software manual for editing text, sorting information in worksheets and exporting text.
3.5. Subject to the conditions of the copyright, individual worksheets can be copied, distributed, edited and pasted back into the workbook without affecting the functionality of the workbook, as long as the worksheet structure has not been altered by adding or deleting rows, columns, or cells.
3.6. CAUTION: Exercise care if you decide to alter the formulas in the "Key" column or if you add or delete rows, as these actions may affect the functionality of the document. It is preferable to hide rows rather than delete them. Sets of rows can be copied and inserted to create new element descriptions. However cell references must be checked to ensure consistent functionality of the worksheet and the workbook.
4. Elemental Project Template
4.1. The template workbook is organised into twenty-three (23) worksheets (one for each Level 2 Element Sub-Group in accordance with UNIFORMAT II) and one budget summary worksheet. The template incorporates spreadsheet techniques that facilitate sorting elements in the tables and editing the text.
4.2. Each table consists of fourteen columns with the following headings: 4.2.1. "Sort 1", "Sort 2"and "Sort 3": hidden columns containing logical links to facilitate sorting.
4.2.2. "Input '1' or '0' ": user input in the form of a numerical key for turning elements on or off.
4.2.3. "Key": a numerical key for filtering out different levels of detail with the spreadsheet Autofilter data tool..
4.2.4. "Code": alpha-numerical coding of the levels and elements in accordance with UNIFORMAT II. Autofilter can also be applied to sort elements by code.
4.2.5. "Element": The name and description of the building or sitework element.
4.2.6. "Units": suggested units of measure to be used in preparing preliminary estimates.
4.2.7. "Quantities": Enter the estimated quantity of each element.
4.2.8. "Unit Cost": Enter the unit cost for each element.
4.2.9. "Cost": Calculated total costs for the individual element and the various levels of UNIFORMAT II element groups.
4.3. The "Input "1" or "0"" (i.e., "In / Out") column .
4.3.1. Review the worksheet to determine which elements are required for the project. This can be done most quickly by filtering the "Key" column to display only the Uniformat codes and names for the elements.
4.3.2. If an element is not required for the project, change the "1" to a "0" in the cell corresponding to the element. All rows associated with the element will be automatically re-keyed as "0" and can be filtered out.
4.3.3. This procedure will automatically separate the elements required for the project ("Input = 1") from the unnecessary elements ("Input = 0").
4.4. The "Key" column is made up of cells containing the numbers "1" through "6". The "Key" for each element allows the user to set the Autofilter criteria to display the level of detail required.
4.4.1. "1": Element name.
4.4.2. "2": Element definition. Can be modified to suit the project.
4.4.3. "3": Components included in the assembly. Can be modified to suit the project.
4.4.4. "4": Blank cells for adding descriptive text related to the element, as required by the project.
4.4.5. "5": Technical properties that the element description should address.
4.4.6. "6": List of elements or assemblies not included in this element group, with references to other locations for the element or assembly.
4.5. The "Code" column contains the UNIFORMAT II alpha-numeric coding related to each element. The codes are indented progressively to indicate the level. Codes can be realigned when printing, at the option of the user.
4.5.1. Level One ("Major Group Elements") is coded with a single upper case letter for that group, e.g. "E Equipment and Furnishings".
4.5.2. Level Two ("Sub-Group Elements") is coded with the upper case letter for that major group followed by a two digit number ending in "0", e.g. "A20".
4.5.3. Similarly, Levels Three and Four ("Individual Elements") are coded with the upper case letter for that major group followed by a four digit number ending in "0" and "1" to "9", respectively, depending on the level.
4.5.4. A fifth level element is designated by a level four code followed by an uppercase letter, e.g. "A2039-A".
4.6. The "Element" column contains the names and text described in paragraph 4.4 above.
4.7. The "Units" , "Quantity" and "Cost" columns allow the user to enter estimated values for the required elements and prepare a budget. Calculated values are forwarded to the Budget Summary worksheet. Additional project cost information can be entered on this sheet to produce a project budget.
4.8. The Budget Summary worksheet includes a filtering key that will automatically hide elements that are not required for the project as indicated on the corresponding worksheets for the element.
4.9. If the requirement for descriptive text exceeds the capacity of the spreadsheet cells, filter the elements to suit the project requirements, select and copy the filtered "Code" and "Element" columns and export them to a word processing program. This will allow you to produce a text-based document with more descriptive detail for the elements. For example an extensive building condition assessment report could be prepared using the exported data.
5. Preliminary Project Descriptions And Other Applications
5.1. The preliminary project description is usually prepared during the schematic design phase. It describes the scope of the project and the major project elements. It may include both performance criteria and product descriptions, as applicable.
5.2. Edit the template tables to suit the nature and scope of the project. Describe the elements in the descriptive text cells as necessary to develop the preliminary description of the project elements, and add to this information as the design process proceeds.
5.3. Use the template to develop and maintain a co-ordinated set of project documents, including elemental descriptions, budgets, schedules and reports. The alpha-numeric coding associated with each element will provide a reference for each element in different documents and applications.
5.4. UNIFORMAT II provides a standard fixed format for listing, describing and managing building elements at Levels 1, 2 and 3. Numbering at Level 4 and 5 can be adapted to suit the application. In addition, by adding code extensions users can adapt the alpha-numerical coding to suit the project requirements, the application and the desired level of detail.
5.5. Adding a code extension that incorporates floor level and building grid lines allows the element to be related to a specific location in the project. For example, the element coded "C3012/4/B2-B5" could refer to a concrete wall finish on level four, between grid co-ordinates "B2" and "B5". This code extension would be useful for scheduling the construction of various elements, or reporting on the construction progress or existing condition of the element. Room numbers could also be used.
5.6. UNIFORMAT II is not based on the sequence of construction. In preparing a schedule based on and co-ordinated with other elemental documents, it may be necessary to change the sequence of UNIFORMAT II elements to reflect the scheduled sequence of construction, while maintaining the alpha-numeric coding necessary for co-ordination.
5.7. Select the level of detail to suit the stage of the project. For example, a schedule prepared at the beginning of a project could be restricted to Level 1 Major Group Elements. As the project develops, the schedule could be refined down to Level 4 Individual Elements.
6. Limitations On Use
6.1. The UNIFORMAT II Elemental Project Template tables require editing before use. Not all tables or elements will be applicable to each particular project. Individual element groups, elements and descriptive text will require modifications, additions, and deletions.
6.2. Editing is the responsibility of the professional using the UNIFORMAT II Elemental Project Template.
6.3. The UNIFORMAT II Elemental Project Template is not a substitute for a full project bidding specification.
6.4. The UNIFORMAT II Elemental Project Template does not list or describe every possible building element, component or accessory of individual buildings, materials and systems.
6.5. The quantities, units and calculations may not be suitable for every project.
7. Copyright And Acknowledgments
7.1. UNIFORMAT II Elemental Project Template, Copyright 1998-2001 Hugh P. Trudeau.
7.2. Please note that the UNIFORMAT II Elemental Project Template copyright is a license for the use of copyrighted material by the office purchasing the material. Except as indicated below, the workbook and the individual worksheets making up the workbook may not be copied for distribution to other administrative units, branches, sites, offices, associates or consultants. Additional required copies of the workbook may be purchased from HPT-Buildwrite.
7.3. Upon payment of a fee to HPT-Buildwrite, individual worksheets may be copied on a project by project basis for use by project team members assisting in preparation of budgets and documents.
7.4. Thanks to Robert Charette, P.Eng., for review and encouragement.
8. Bibliography
8.1. ASTM E1557-96: Standard Classification for Building Elements and Related Sitework -UNIFORMAT II, 1996, American Society for Testing Materials, West Conshohocken, PA.
8.2. UNIFORMAT II - A Recommended Classification for Building Elements and Related Sitework, August 1992. Bowen, Brian, Charette, Robert P. and Marshall, Harold P., NIST Special Publication 841, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg MD.
8.3. CSC Handbook for Specifiers - Preliminary Project Description and Outline Specifications, 1997, Construction Specifications Canada, Toronto Ontario.
8.4. CSI Practice FF/180 - Preliminary Project Descriptions and Outline Specifications - the Construction Specifications Institute, Alexandria VA.
8.5. Time Saver Standards for Architectural Design Data, Part I, Article 1.14 Estimating and Design Cost Analysis. Bowen, Brian and Charette, Robert P.
8.6. Means Cost Control in Building Design, 1988, Roger Killingsworth, Auburn University, R. S. Means Co. Inc. Kingston MA.
8.7. Project Budgeting for Buildings, 1991, Parker, Donald E. and Dell'Isolla, Alphonse J., Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York.
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