IndexAnalysis and control of production costsIntroductionSource of cost dataApplications of cost dataCivil engineeringValidation of the estimate in control of cost dataInitial rough estimate for the decision makingDetails and accurate estimation of CostsRecommendations for RICS and BCIS cost estimatesAdvantages and disadvantages of BCISAdvantagesCommon shortcomingsConclusionAnalysis and control of production costsIntroductionThe cost incurred by the company is the cost of production which is a combination of labour, raw materials and other additional expenses. Costs provide an overview of the total construction expense (Jstor, 2015 p. 436). Cost planning techniques are influenced by a reasonable factor which is the control that is exercised during construction by the architect. As the basis of production cost analysis and control, cost data is useful for integrating areas, volumes, numbers and others. Cost control manages to limit a customer's spending to a certain agreed amount. It is usually quite difficult to convince financiers about the cost of a project. Substantive aspects of management include identifying sources of cost data and estimating costs through the use of BCIS and RICS. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Cost Data SourceSubcontractors/Contractors: When calculating or estimating construction costs, estimators rely on subcontractors/contractors to provide estimates and the services necessary to complete the estimate and the project itself. The sources of information provided by the contractor's estimators ensure that cost estimates are realistic and feasible. The challenging part of the data obtained from them is the quality or reliability. Internal data sources: This is financial reporting information within the company that helps construction management determine production costs over the life cycle of the construction project. Price Lists: Price books are used to estimate the cost of a construction project. In civil engineering, price lists provide the most accurate data in the construction industry, such as SPON price lists and BCIS price lists. It provides a clear understanding of how the market values ​​outputs relative to the income it brings to the business and is influenced by decisions made in accounting regarding depreciation and some other variables (Ashworth, 1994 np). Rate Database: is a database that is computerized for use in estimating information that is often used with construction estimating software when forming cost estimates. It is an electronic equivalent of the cost register which can contain maintenance costs, operating costs, etc. Obtaining information from internal and external specialists is also useful in attempting to gather data related to construction costs. (Ashworth, 1994 np). Cost data can also be acquired from properly published literature and national and local institutional sources. Alternatives applicable to the field of interest must be considered in a situation where cost management consists of isolation of required materials and individual planning of construction methods and budget. Sources of cost data vary, for example, from country to country; wholesale acquisition costs are considered crucial sources of cost data in the United States of America (BCIS, n.d.). Civil Engineering Cost Data ApplicationsThe Building Cost Information Service has an application for civil engineering cost analysis. The preparationof cost analysis is supported by general principles, definitions, common elements, and published guidance (BCIS, n.d.). Cost data also estimates the future cost of a project and controls project design to ensure sustainable cost control. Cost through the use of information is balanced to ensure that money is spent according to established priorities. The information is useful for negotiating rates with particular specialists in order to accelerate the development of a project. (Kirkham et al. 2007 np). These activities give rise to other uses that may cause concern in some crucial sections of the surveyor for research. Applications involve understanding economic and political trends and the relationship between decisions made in planning and the degree to which its effects change costs. Analysing, classifying and structuring large amounts of data helps in some way in developing evaluation models. Calculations in the data require that quantities of work be measured in any suspended work moments. Record sheets are usually copied as feedback to the estimating department and can be used on future projects to inform estimates. (Ashworth, 1994 np). Estimating using traditional methods develops a classification system with respect to recording costs. The results of this type of project can constitute a significant source of data to be used in estimation. Production standards, both for the company and for the job, influence the range of characteristics of a project. Estimators are supposed to assimilate several factors when adopting a standard output to obtain a good estimate. These characteristics include the resources used, special work skill requirements, location and accessibility, design and work standards. (Beamon, 1998 p. 290). Data uses are classified into four; cost forecasting, cost comparison, cost balancing and cost trend analysis. Prediction simplifies the problems encountered to prevent the user from being overwhelmed by too much data. It involves the concentration of significant quantities and expense items among those with less cost relevance. Cost comparison involves choosing data that is structured and in such a form that, if the specification or design of an item is changed, the use of the cost data will reflect the change in the cost of the goods. Cost balancing refers to the overall cost of the smallest units used for control purposes and enables a cost strategy for project development. Cost trend analysis is a view of how the costs of different products change from one point to another or in relation to each other. Estimate Validation in Cost Data Control Confirmation of estimates is a crucial step where the cost of estimates is compared against office space per square foot. Quote validation improves the accuracy of cost data thus maximizing profits. The right tools need to be put in place when performing validation. Furthermore, the ability to quickly check estimates differs with the availability of appropriate and relevant estimating materials and tools for validation. Initial rough estimate for decision making. These costs include operation and maintenance costs where the cost of the constructed premises includes material costs, building operation costs and maintenance costs. Some of the costs involved in the initial decision making process include; land acquisition, road studies and planning, engineering and architectural design, materials, labor and equipment, costs.