STATEMETHOD

Illustrative workflow / one possible configuration

Prepare traceable estimate lines without transferring pricing authority.

Prepare traceable quantity and scope candidates while reserving rates, adjustments and estimate approval for the Lead Estimator.

Explore the workflow One example configuration · synthetic data · Interactive reference
Audience
Estimators · Quantity surveyors · Commercial managers
Workflow owner
Lead Estimator
Input
Bounded drawing set, schedules and approved rate library
Final artifact
Reviewed estimate workbook with assumptions and exclusions

01 / Estimate preparation path

Move from scope evidence to estimator-approved lines.

Scope and quantity candidates are prepared separately from unit verification and rate retrieval. Every ambiguity returns to the estimator exception desk, and only the Lead Estimator can set price-bearing fields.

Select a synthetic scenario

Synthetic case / SM-EST-008/C-12 / Primary view
NEEDS REVIEW
Estimating Assistance — Needs reviewA controlled exception is waiting for the named owner. No output has been issued. Current reason code: SCOPE_BOUNDARY_AMBIGUOUS. The topology contains 10 icon nodes and 15 directed connections. Current node: Exception desk. Focus a node to inspect its lane and responsibility.source locksource lockscope sourcescope sourcebounded linesbounded linesquantity candidatesquantity candidatesunits passrate candidatesartifact hashapprovescope ambiguityscope ambiguityscope decisionscope decisionLock source set: Freeze package and rate version01Lock source setIntegration / toolRevision control: Reject incomplete or stale sources02Revision controlDeterministic controlDecompose scope: Propose WBS lines and boundaries03Decompose scopeModel-assistedBuild quantities: Propose formulas and citations04Build quantitiesModel-assistedVerify quantity: Recompute units and duplicates05Verify quantityDeterministic controlRetrieve rate refs: Read compatible approved rates06Retrieve rate refsIntegration / toolException desk: Resolve scope, unit or rate gaps07Exception deskRecovery routeAssemble candidate: Build traceable internal workbook08Assemble candidateActionEstimator gate: Set prices and approve artifact09Estimator gateHuman approvalIssue workbook: Export approved estimate and ledger10Issue workbookControlled output
Recovery route / Estimator exceptions / activeException desk

Resolve scope, unit or rate gaps

State: NEEDS REVIEWReason: SCOPE_BOUNDARY_AMBIGUOUSA controlled exception is waiting for the named owner. No output has been issued.
  • completed
  • active
  • blocked
  • pending

Primary route first · expand controls only when needed

02 / Value hypothesis

Less handling. More deciding.

This planning model separates machine preparation from remaining human review. It is not a measured result.

Before / manual handling

6h
  1. 01Read scopeLocate measurable items in drawings and schedules.
  2. 02Build linesCreate estimate rows and map rates.
  3. 03Check gapsReview assumptions and omissions.

After / controlled preparation

AI-assisted preparation
20m
Remaining human review
1h 30m
Potential time returned / case
4h 10m
  1. Prepare candidates. The workflow drafts traceable quantities and headings.
  2. Price and review. The estimator owns rates and adjustments.
  3. Export approved. Assumptions and evidence travel with the workbook.

Your volume / adjustable

Illustrative estimate
Calculated monthly time returned72h

4h 10m × 4 cases × 4.33 weeks, rounded to the nearest hour.

03 / Live estimating run

Prepared lines expose the evidence behind commercial fields.

Run synthetic scope and quantity evidence through boundary, unit and rate controls to generate an estimator review line without silently pricing uncertainty.

SYNTHETIC CASE / SM-EST-008/C-12 / NEEDS REVIEW
READY TO RUN
01 / Input data

Drawing take-off, scope notes and rate source

A-221 / Level 03 partition plan / Rev B1:100 at A1 / take-off calibration 10.000 m
P-12A12.4–15.8 m²Upper extent unclear
P-12B18.6 m²Closed
P-12C17.0 m²Closed

TAKE-OFF NOTES

P-12ARiser enclosure north wall12.4–15.8 m²

P-12BRiser enclosure east wall18.6 m²

P-12CRiser enclosure south wall17.0 m²

Synthetic drawing note and room schedule

02 / Controls

Executed checks

  1. Scope boundaryWaiting to run
  2. Quantity and unitWaiting to run
  3. Rate lookupWaiting to run
03 / Generated result

Priced estimator review sheet

No run yet

The result will be generated from the visible synthetic rows.

All rows, checks and outputs in this run are synthetic. They demonstrate executable workflow behavior and authority boundaries, not analysis of client documents or measured production performance.

04 / Explicit authority

The system prepares. The named owner decides.

Permission matrix for Estimating Assistance
AuthorityPermissionOperating scopeStatus
ModelDraft scope and quantity candidatesPrepare a bounded proposal and cite available evidence.✓ May
SoftwareEnforce units, rate versions, duplicates and source linksEnforce deterministic rules, state transitions and action limits.✓ May
ModelResolve conflicting source evidenceConflicts must stop or route to the named human owner.× May not
HumanSet pricing judgments and approve the estimateOnly an authorized Lead Estimator can approve the final artifact.✓ May

Deterministic checks

  • Units match the cost library
  • Duplicate scope references are rejected
  • Every quantity cites a source
  • Only approved rate versions can be selected

Model-assisted actions

  • Extract scope candidates
  • Map candidates to cost headings
  • Draft assumptions and exclusions
  • Highlight ambiguous measurement boundaries

Human approval gate

The Lead Estimator verifies quantities, chooses or edits rates and approves the estimate artifact.

Failure and recovery

Unclear scope, unavailable rate versions or unsupported quantities remain unpriced and route to manual measurement.

05 / Decision ledger

Reconstruct the displayed decision.

This synthetic ledger changes with the scenario. Its final decision event records the same state and reason shown in the workflow canvas.

Displayed state
NEEDS REVIEW
Reason code
SCOPE_BOUNDARY_AMBIGUOUS
Approval owner
Lead Estimator
Synthetic event log for the Needs review scenario
EventActorResultEvidenceTime
case.receivedIntake serviceInput hash recordedSM-EST-008/C-12
validation.completedRules engineRequired fields checkedSM-EST-008/C-12
exception.detectedRules engineSCOPE_BOUNDARY_AMBIGUOUSSM-EST-008/C-12
review.requestedWorkflow serviceLead Estimator assigned—
case.review_requiredState reducerSCOPE_BOUNDARY_AMBIGUOUS—

06 / Related workflows

01 / Preconstruction

Tender Review

Structure tender requirements, surface submission risks and prepare a controlled qualification record.

Tender invitation, schedules, specifications and amendments → Approved tender review and qualification register

02 / Design coordination

Construction Document & Drawing Review

Check drawing packages, surface revision conflicts and issue only a human-approved review record.

Drawing package, schedules and revision register → Approved, evidence-linked review record

03 / Design coordination

Specification Compliance Review

Compare bounded requirements with submitted evidence and route every mismatch to a Technical Manager.

Approved specification sections and product evidence → Approved compliance matrix with exceptions

Browse all workflow examples

Example set / not a fixed catalogue

Your workflow can start somewhere else.

The eight detailed examples demonstrate reusable patterns, not the limits of the service. State Method maps the real process around your documents, recurring decisions, system touchpoints and named approval boundaries.

01 / Other processes we can map

Project and design

  • Meeting minutes and action tracking
  • Design comment coordination
  • Change control and instruction review
  • Document distribution and approvals

02 / Other processes we can map

Commercial and procurement

  • Supplier and quotation comparison
  • Payment application review
  • Variation evidence preparation
  • Procurement package coordination

03 / Other processes we can map

Site, quality and compliance

  • Inspection and test records
  • Defect and NCR management
  • Safety observation reporting
  • Environmental evidence reporting
Discuss another workflow

Start with a repetitive process, its evidence and the person who must retain authority. It does not need to match one of these examples.

Assessment / human-reviewed intake

Assess one estimating package.

Bound the trade, approved source data, estimator authority and measurable preparation baseline.

Assess one workflowReview the diagnostic

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