06 - ITEM GROUPING (OPTIONAL)

OBJECTIVE

Use the Criterion column in Base to identify and group items that share similar construction methods, resource structures, or execution characteristics.

This phase is optional, but it can significantly improve efficiency when many items require similar labor, materials, equipment, or subcontract resources.

The main purpose is to prepare the estimate for faster resource assignment and later mass cloning.


HOW TO USE THE CRITERION COLUMN

Assign a short code, abbreviation, or symbol to items that belong to the same working group.

The code does not need to follow a predefined ZUCOST standard.

It should simply be:

• Short.
• Easy to recognize.
• Consistent.
• Meaningful to the estimator.

The same code should be used for all items that will later be treated as similar.


EXAMPLES

MecSol
Mechanical and welding work.

Conc
General concrete placement items.

ConcCol
Concrete columns.

PintExt
Exterior painting.

PintInt
Interior painting.

Sol
Welding work.


CUSTOM CRITERIA

The estimator may create any abbreviations that are useful for the project.

Examples:

ELEC
Electrical work.

PIP
Piping work.

INS
Insulation.

EXC
Excavation.

STR
Structural steel.

HVAC
Heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning work.

REM
Removal or demolition activities.


SYMBOLS MAY ALSO BE USED

The Criterion field does not have to contain only letters.

If it is more convenient, the estimator may also use:

• Numbers.
• Symbols.
• Short combinations of letters and numbers.

Examples:

A1
A2
M-01
P*
S1

The important requirement is consistency.


HOW TO DEFINE A GOOD GROUP

Two items should share the same Criterion when they are expected to use a similar resource structure.

For example, several concrete items may use approximately the same:

• Labor crew.
• Tools.
• Concrete-related equipment.
• Support resources.

The quantities and productivity may later be different, but the basic resource composition can still be similar.


WHY THIS IS IMPORTANT

Without grouping, the estimator may need to assign similar resources repeatedly to many individual items.

Using the Criterion column makes it easier to identify groups of related items and prepare them for cloning.

This can:

• Reduce repetitive work.
• Improve consistency.
• Accelerate resource assignment.
• Reduce omissions.
• Make the estimate easier to review.
• Support mass cloning.


RELATIONSHIP WITH CLONING

The Criterion column becomes especially useful during the Mass Cloning phase.

A representative item can be fully developed first.

Its resource structure can then be copied to other items that share the same Criterion.

After cloning, each destination item can still be adjusted individually.


IMPORTANT

Do not group items only because their descriptions look similar.

They should also have reasonably similar execution methods or resource requirements.

For example, two painting items may belong to different groups if one is interior work and the other requires exterior scaffolding, lifts, or special access equipment.


RECOMMENDATION

Use the Criterion column whenever the estimate contains repeated or similar work.

Keep the codes simple and understandable.

The objective is not to create a complicated classification system.

The objective is to create practical groups that help the estimator work faster and more consistently.