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REPORT WRITING AND COST ESTIMATING CE 3372 Lecture 09

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OVERVIEW Report Writing Cost Estimating

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REPORT WRITING

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FUNDAMENTALS Know your audience Professional! Explain the problem Discuss solving method Describe findings/results Example: Car Service Repair

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PROJECT REPORT Outline is based on the HCFCD Drainage Manual Report Format Letter of Transmittal Cover Table of Contents List of Tables and Figures Executive Summary Section 1 Introduction Section 2 Existing Conditions Section 3 Hydrology and Hydraulics Section 4 Proposed Drainage Plan

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TRANSMITTAL LETTER Formal business letter to person that commissioned the report Brief. Includes: Salutation (Dear Mr. _____) Purpose of letter Describe what is being sent Main findings of report End transmittal letters with a one-sentence paragraph that establishes goodwill by thanking or complimenting the recipient. Signature from all members with credentials

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COVER Include Team name and members Title of the Project Date

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EXEC SUMMARY Informs reader precisely of: research problem analysis method results TL;DR Reader shouldnt have to read whole report to get main points Summary!! Limit to one (1) page

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SECTION 1 INTRODUCTION 1.1 Project Name and Purpose 1.2 Project Limits 1.3 Project Objectives 1.4 Assumptions and Constraints 1.5 PriorStudies

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SECTION 1 INTRODUCTION Explains the research problem and its context briefly Importance of problem Reasons and goals for study Limitations You want your audience to understand WHY the report is important WHY its being written WHY reader should read it Present Tense

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SECTION 2 EX. CONDITIONS 2.1 Location and Topography 2.2 Land Use 2.3 HCFCD Facilities and Unit Numbers 2.4 Right-of-Way 2.5 Pipelines and Utilities

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SECTION 3 H&H 3.1 Analysis Objective 3.2 Hydrologic Methodology 3.3 Hydraulic Methodology 3.4 Pre-Project Conditions

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SECTION 3 H&H Methodology Explains how: Data was gathered/generated Data was analyzed Assumes reader understands material Is in past tense and passive voice The research has been carried out

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SECTION 3 H&H Active vs. Passive Active: I observed the angle to be... Passive: The angle was observed to be... Active: The authors suggest... Passive: It is suggested.. Active: We used EPANET to.. Passive: The hydraulic model EPANET was used to..

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SECTION 3 H&H Hedging words It would appear that These results suggest It would seem A cause of this may be A possible explanation for this is

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SECTION 4 PROPOSED PLAN 4.1 Description 4.2 Hydrological Analysis 4.3 Hydraulic Analysis

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SECTION 4 PROPOSED PLAN Results Visually and textually represents findings Visually: Graphs, tables, diagrams, charts, screen captures Please describe Figures and Tables correctly Explanatory text: Points out most significant portions of research findings Highlights expected and/or unexpected findings

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SECTION 4 PROPOSED PLAN Discussion Assesses and comments on research results Explanation for Results Recommendations Summary Similar to the Exec Summary Focuses more of results, cost, etc.

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PROJECT REPORT Letter of Transmittal Cover Table of Contents List of Tables and Figures Executive Summary Section 1 Introduction Section 2 Existing Conditions Section 3 Hydrology and Hydraulics Section 4 Proposed Drainage Plan

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REQUIREMENTS Label Figures and Tables correctly Headings and sub-headings Proper grammar Flow No contractions (wont, cant) No rhetorical questions

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COST ESTIMATING

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PRIVATE PROJECT COST ESTIMATES Feasibility Determines no/go decision Prepared prior to development Based on general scope of project (items/work hours/etc) Includes significant contingency (30%) Preliminary Prepared after plan has evolved but before any construction drawings Used by developer to secure funding/ assist in developing alternatives before final decision on product details Accuracy +/- 10-15% Contingency (15-20%) Construction/Detailed Prepared after plans have been approved Accuracy +/- 5%

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FEASIBILITY ESTIMATE

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PRELIMINARY ESTIMATE Developed from plans that have not yet reached sufficient detail Purpose is to: Acquire approvals from permitting jurisdiction Determine problems that will affect project Determine cost to construct Help developer to obtain developer loan applications Water Supply Pipes - dollars per linear foot Valves, hydrants, fire lines, pumps

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CONSTRUCTION ESTIMATE Generally developed after construction plans have been approved Quantity takeoffs to be determined Double check estimates with a PE (more experience)

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