5.1 This practice increases the level of communication, provides an organized approach to cost control during the design of a project, and also provides a means of identifying extraordinary cost items and changes in assumptions between estimates.

5.2 The users of this practice include owners, developers, contractors, cost professionals, estimators, architects, engineers, specification writers, quantity surveyors, and anyone charged with the responsibility of successfully managing the design of a building and its related site work within a specified project budget.

5.3 Use this reporting format during the following:

5.3.1 Contracting for design cost analysis services,

5.3.2 Comparing the current design costs to a previous estimate, and

5.3.3 Responding to each design phase.

5.4 This practice provides a tool for analyzing design options and examining strategies to maintain the project budget.

1.1 This practice covers an arranged method for providing cost analysis during the design phase of a building project.

1.2 The use of this practice increases the level of communication between the design professional, owner, and the cost professional providing the cost consulting services.

1.3 The practice establishes a structured method to support design decisions.

1.4 The practice provides design and cost professionals with a framework for historically tabulating information to be used on relevant future projects.