Reporting in Estimating

Tekla PowerFab
2019
Tekla PowerFab Tekla PowerFab GO
Estimating Reports
Project Summary Report

I wanted to take this opportunity to discuss Estimating reports.  When I train new Tekla PowerFab users, viewing and using reports is the best way to gain program trust.

Those using Estimating in Tekla PowerFab for the first time may feel lost and, frankly, a bit fearful.  Using a new system, is not comfortable, ever.  I was one of those who developed my own trusted estimating spreadsheet, back from the time of programs like Lotus 1-2-3 and Symphony, then Excel as soon as it arrived in the market.  I do understand what it takes to make the switch and gain confidence with using this program.  I can tell you now that I would rather use Tekla PowerFab over my old system, no question about it.

We all love to use our own spreadsheets which provide the ability to locate and isolate needed information.  But therein lies the problem.  We may be the only one within an organization using it.  Therefore, we remain on that island of isolation, only to share information when asked.  There is limited ability to resource data which may benefit today’s bid decisions.

With Tekla PowerFab, data is shared across modules.  When modules are linked, the estimated material may be instantly compared to the Advance Bill of Materials imported into Combining, and the Bill of Materials imported into Production Control. 

The Project Summary Report, found in Project Management, has the ‘across module’ comparison information. Having this live data at our fingertips certainly helps to prevent unfortunate decisions and possible project management disasters.

This Project Management report does explain how helpful the inclusion of estimating in Tekla PowerFab is with providing a complete job picture.

 

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The screenshot above is the first page of the multi-page ‘Full Project Summary’ in the list of ‘Project Summary’ reports.  You can see to the right side the blue highlighted page, which is what we are viewing, then the other pages shown below.  This report self-updates.  The only requirements are that you do your work in Tekla PowerFab and that the modules are linked.

What is wonderful about this report is that it shows live job data.  The first three columns on the left for ‘Estimating’, ‘Combining’ and ‘Production Control’ show the quantity of pieces together with the total material weight for each shape used in the job.  This information helps you to track materials by shape as the job moves from Estimating to Combining (Advance Bill) and then to Production Control, which is the shop detail drawing Bill of Materials. Anything out of place is quickly noticed. 

The three columns to the right show the purchasing information.  ‘On Order’ means that the materials are on a Purchase Order.  ‘In Stock’ means the materials have been received.  ‘Charge’ indicates that the material has been ‘Taken from Stock’ (using Tekla PowerFab terminology), meaning that the materials have been cut and are in the fabrication process.  Notice that these columns have weight and cost.  This makes it easier for those tracking the job budget. 

This project management ‘snapshot’ provides loads of information, has worth beyond measure, and without a single bit of additional work from anyone.  And this is just the first page. I am not going to get into the remaining report pages here, just know that they report on purchasing and station execution.

 

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To find the Project Summary report, open the Project Management job and click on the button for ‘Project Summary’ at the bottom right.  In the Report selection window, click to highlight ‘Full Project Summary’, then click ‘View’. 

If you have the Estimate in the program but do not see the data listed, then you are not linked to Project Management.  To make that link click the ‘Edit’ button at the Estimating job list window, then in the Estimating Edit window select the Project Management job to link the Estimate to, and click ‘Save’.  Return to the Project Management job to select ‘Project Summary’.

 

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Returning to the Estimating Module, we will review some handy reporting. With the Estimating job open, click the ‘Estimating’ drop down, then click on ‘Reports’.

 

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In the ‘Estimating Report Filters’ window, click ‘Make Report’.  In the ‘Report Selection’ window, click to highlight the ‘Materials Not Priced’ report (these reports are initially in alphabetical order) and then click ‘View’.

 

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Items without pricing is listed in this report – the Page and Item number for these items is noted at each one, making it easier to find these items in your bid.  You may update this pricing right from your material list.

 

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You may print out these pages for ‘Material Not Priced’ or leave it open in the background.  Return to the Estimating window, and we will update this pricing.

 

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Double click on the bolded price for PRC Cost or PRC Unit Cost show at the input side to open the Pricing Maintenance window. If you do not have these you may add them now. Click the ‘Maintenance’ drop down, click to highlight ‘Estimating’, then click to select ‘Edit Input Fields’, then ‘Edit Types’.

 

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In the ‘Estimating Input Fields’ window, double click ‘PRC Cost, PRC Date, and PRC Unit Cost’ listed in the ‘Available fields’ side, moving them to the ‘Included Fields’ side of the window, then click ‘Save’.  Close this window, returning to the Estimating Input Fields window, click ‘Save’ to close.

 

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Close and re-open the Estimating window to refreash, and your new input fields will appear.  To update pricing, just double click on the bolded price, which takes you immediately to the spot you need to be to enter the new price.   Enter the price, click ‘Save’, click to close, returning to the Estimating window.  The new pricing will now be there.

 

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Other favorite reports of mine are the ‘Fabrication Summary’ and the ‘Summary Information – to Excel’ reports.   I use the ‘Fabrication Summary’ to check my costs, verify my shipping and markups, also to verify my labor, weights and material pricing.  When I review this report, it gives me a sense of how the job is shaping up and allows me to verify that nothing is out of line.

 

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When I am ready to decide on a final price, I use the ‘Summary Information – to Excel’ report.  This report exports all of the summary information into a sheet that I can review and manually update.

 

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Since I can change and add anything on the fly with this report, I use it to finalize my bid.  Anything I need to add, like outside vendors or late pricing from suppliers, I can plug into this sheet and have an automatic total, including my markups.  I CAN put vendor pricing or supplier pricing into Tekla PowerFab, then run a new report with those added costs.  For new users, this report is the quickest and easiest way to get those things into your final number.

Take some time when you can to review the other Estimating Reports.  The list is long – and don’t forget that you may have more reports hidden from view – click the ‘Edit Report Types’ button to view the ‘available’ reports.

While in the ‘Report types’ window, double click on or use the center pointing arrows to move reports between fields, then use the ‘Move’ buttons to change locations.

 

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I hope todays comments are helpful, and that you do have fun with using this program!

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