07 - MATRIX ITEM CONSTRUCTION

OBJECTIVE

Select first the items that contain the greatest number of common elements or that can serve as representative examples for other similar items.

The objective of this phase is to build the technical resource structure of each representative item before focusing on productivity, quantities, or final costs.

At this stage, think of each item as a technical recipe.


WHAT TO BUILD FIRST

Begin by assigning only the resources that are necessary to execute the item.

Do not focus initially on:

• Productivity rates.
• Resource quantities.
• Final durations.
• Adopted costs.
• Total item cost.

The first objective is to define what the item requires, not yet how much it will cost.


THINK OF THE ITEM AS A RECIPE

Each item should contain the resources required to perform the work correctly.

Depending on the activity, this may include:

• Labor.
• Skilled labor.
• Supervisors.
• Inspectors.
• Materials.
• Consumables.
• Equipment.
• Tools.
• Transportation.
• Lifting equipment.
• Subcontracted services.
• Testing.
• Temporary support resources.


EXAMPLE

For a concrete placement item, the initial resource structure may include:

• Concrete crew.
• Laborers.
• Concrete material.
• Concrete vibrator.
• Small tools.
• Transportation.
• Pumping equipment, if required.
• Testing services, if applicable.

At this stage, the important question is:

"What resources are required to execute this item correctly?"


SELECT REPRESENTATIVE ITEMS

When several items are similar, start with the one that can best represent the group.

A good Matrix Item should contain the most complete and reusable resource structure.

For example, if several painting items are similar, construct first the item that includes the full typical crew, tools, access equipment, consumables, and materials.

That item can later become the source for cloning.


WHY THIS IS IMPORTANT

Building the technical structure before introducing productivity and quantities separates two different estimating decisions:

1. What resources are required?
2. How much of each resource is required?

This approach reduces omissions and makes the estimate easier to review.

It also allows the estimator to concentrate first on construction logic before introducing numerical assumptions.


USE THE MATRIX

In Matrix, review the active item and begin incorporating the required resources.

Verify that each resource has the correct:

• Description.
• Unit.
• Resource Type.
• Classification.

The detailed calculation fields can be completed later.


DO NOT OVERLOAD THE FIRST STEP

Avoid trying to complete every field immediately.

If the estimator simultaneously tries to define resources, quantities, productivity, duration, and cost, important technical resources can be overlooked.

First complete the resource composition.

Then proceed to quantities and productivity.


RELATIONSHIP WITH MASS CLONING

Well-constructed Matrix Items become the foundation for the Mass Cloning process.

Once a representative item contains the correct technical resource structure, it can be copied to other items with similar execution characteristics.

The cloned items can then be adjusted individually as required.


IMPORTANT

A Matrix Item should not be copied to other items simply because the descriptions are similar.

The construction method and resource requirements should also be reasonably comparable.


RECOMMENDATION

Build a limited number of representative Matrix Items first.

Concentrate on creating a complete and technically correct resource recipe.

Do not worry yet about perfect productivity or cost values.

Once the technical structure is correct, ZUCOST can use it as the basis for faster development of the remaining estimate.