Conceptual cost planning for infrastructure

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

It also investigates how infrastructure cost planning is different from the cost planning of building: generally, it:

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

Significantly, this section also looks at how the risk management aspect of a project can be handled. Infrastructure cost planning should include identification of 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 the cost towards the end of a project.

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

Related content

RICS standards: Cost prediction

RICS standards: Cost reporting

Template: Cost management change control log