Conceptual cost planning for infrastructure

This section examines different types of infrastructure and how the infrastructure sector contributes to the UK economy. It looks at the important benchmark of delivery – successful delivery is measured not only by completion, but also through avoiding disruption and ‘bad public relations’.

The section also investigates how infrastructure cost planning differs from the cost planning of buildings. Generally, it:

• takes longer
• carries more risk and
• has less data to back up the costs.

Significantly, this section also looks at how a project's risk management aspect can be handled. Infrastructure cost planning should identify risks and then make allowances for them (unlike the cost planning of buildings where, generally, a design allowance or contingency is included (between 5–10%)). The section considers how different methods can be used to manage costs towards the end of a project.

This section is maintained by Bill Dixon of Turner & Townsend.

RICS standards: Cost prediction

RICS standards: Cost reporting

Template: Cost management change control log