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Estimator’s Edge

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2017 June

Info Tech Train Wreck

There’s too much confusion; I can’t get no relief…—from “All Along the Watchtower” by Bob Dylan Only those of us who matured before the tech revolution can really appreciate the dizzying speed with...

2017 May

With a Little Outside Help

“Happy Days Are Here Again”—a Depression era song by Milton Ager and Jack Yellen While economic recovery has been plodding along at a snail’s pace in general over the past several “post recession”...

2017 April

Contingencies

Hope for the best, but prepare for the worst.—Benjamin Disraeli With construction activity on the steady upward incline, I think it’s safe to say we’re out of the woods. Tower cranes sprouting everywhere...

2017 March

Profile of an Estimator

Home is the sailor; home from the sea, and the hunter home from the hill.—Robert Louis Stevenson It’s been nearly 10 years since I penned a piece that enumerated the various qualities of...

2017 February

Three-pronged Approach

Been dazed and confused for so long it’s not true...—from “Dazed and Confused” Jake Holmes/Jimmy Page I think by now my affection for “design professionals” has been pretty well documented. Past rants notwithstanding,...

January 2017

Poker Face

A soft chatter died away as I entered the ornately decorated room. I ambled up to the waist-high table, pinched the brim of my fedora as a subdued greeting, and removed my Wayfarers—a standard courtesy...

2016 December

Opportunity Options

The future was wide open…—“Into the Great Wide Open” by Tom Petty A number of years ago, I penned a piece here on what qualities an employer might look for in contemplation of...

2016 November

An Edgy Estimator

Suddenly there came a tapping—as if someone gently rapping at my chamber door…—E.A. Poe It had been a good many years since I’d pulled an all-nighter. Over time I’ve developed a firm policy...

2016 October

You Say You Want an Evolution?

My shirt is wearing thin, and change is what I believe in…—REM “Sure, I can learn to use a new estimating program—no sweat.”      That’s what I told my superiors when they...