Rijkswaterstaat Case Study

With the goal of creating an efficient and repeatable cost estimating process, Rijkswaterstaat decided that their existing software was outdated and no longer meeting their cost estimation needs. Over a year, Rijkswaterstaat compared several solutions and chose Cleopatra Enterprise as their cost estimating software.

With Cleopatra Enterprise, Rijkswaterstaat can ensure reliable cost estimations while maintaining and complementing a cost knowledgebase in Cleopatra.

• Keeping up with the developments in the cost field
• Having more functionalities compared to the former software
• Choosing a software compatible with the Rijkswaterstaat network as all cost engineers at the organization were going to use the tool
• Converting all cost related data, such as existing estimates and knowledgebase with unit prices and cost models
• Interacting with a satisfactory look and feel
• Getting the appropriate training

Rijkswaterstaat’s price and quality analysis showed that Cleopatra Enterprise was the solution with the highest price to quality ratio. The aspect of quality consisted of a List of Requirements, a Plan of Approach, and a Proof of Ability. In the Proof of Ability, all suppliers demonstrated the software’s functionalities and look and feel in a predefined and identical use case.

The advantages of Cleopatra were stated as follows by the Cost Engineering Department of Rijkswaterstaat:

• Cleopatra met all our must-have requirements and most of our should-have requirements. A few examples of these requirements: at least 5 decimals, the possibility of a cost knowledgebase, search functionality, export to and import from Excel, decompositions and filtering, comparing and analyzing estimates, the use of allowances, factors, authorization, and cost models.
• Cleopatra is developed by cost engineers, assuring added value in our work processes.
• Cleopatra Enterprise is open to customer wishes and improvements. For instance, they are committed to converting all our cost related data in a mostly automated way.
• Cleopatra has a clear and configurable interface. The knowledgebase is designed like a ‘shop’ that supports easy access to the resources needed in the estimate.
• Cleopatra has a high aesthetic quality. The design is highly consistent and complete. All functionalities have similar designs.
• Reporting options in Cleopatra are adjustable, very clear, and nicely designed.
• Cleopatra enables the user a phased learning process, from easy access to basic commands to programming own functionality and cost models.
• The programming functionality is embedded in the software.

Cleopatra Enterprise allowed Rijkswaterstaat to perform reliable cost estimates for projects in the field of construction and maintenance of the main infrastructure facilities in the Netherlands (roads, waterways, and water systems). Cleopatra’s estimating functionalities helped Rijkswaterstaat make accurate cost estimates ranging from conceptual to detailed estimates.