To use estimate line levels

Use the estimate level type to determine which lines must be used in aggregating the total for a bottom-up structure. An estimate level type is used to calculate the top-down amount, based on the structural element. An estimate level type is also used to determine which estimate line must be launched to the budget. Using the Structural Element session, you can define the parameters for the level types.

For the Top Down estimate type, amounts can not be aggregated. Therefore, the different level types can only be used to check the primary structure for consistency. The available level types are:

• Total: Only one estimate line of a structural element can be linked to the Total level type. The child element estimate lines amount cannot exceed the parent’s top-down amount.
• Cost type: Only five cost type lines are allowed, each cost type can be used only once. The consistency check is done to determine, if the Total level type amount of the same structural element exceeds the cost type amounts.
• Other structures: This structure may not exist when you create an estimate; however, it can be linked any time before the preparation of the bid, the analysis, or the launch. The consistency check is done to determine, if the amount of the line exceeds the amount of the structural element and the Total level type.
• Detail: The consistency check is done to validate, if lines with the same cost type are less than or equal to the cost type amount and the Total level type of the related structural element.

For the Bottom Up estimate type, only the Total and Detail level types are applicable. These level types are used to aggregate total lines or detailed lines for unit costs and sales, and to launch estimate lines to a budget.

The total line can be used to include the cost and/or sales effort that are yet to be defined. Often the total line will be replaced with several detail lines. For example, an estimate must include the cost for producing a piece of equipment. However, the details initially are not known. A total line is included for the total estimated cost. When the engineering of the equipment is done and the detailed effort in labor and materials is known, these detailed lines will be added to the estimate and flagged as being in scope. The total line can be retained for comparison but the In Scope option is no longer applicable.

Only the Total and Detail level types can be used to view the difference in estimate lines, because a bottom-up estimate, linked with amounts, does not have a structure relationship. You can enter and add the unit costs because a consistency check is not required. For a bottom-up detailed line, a primary structure element is not mandatory.