Following a record Olympics for Australia, Brian Seymour looks at the dedication and training required for both athletes and professional estimators.

Just like Olympic athletes, successful estimators require a high level of dedication, precision, experience and commitment to their craft. Both need to be detail-oriented, able to anticipate challenges and consistently improve their skills through practice and learning.

An athlete doesn’t decide one day that they will have a run in the Olympics and just turn up. It takes years of training and perseverance and many local, state and national competitions before they even qualify to represent their country. A professional estimator doesn’t come from presenting minor quotes, calculated from a ‘price-per-point’ system, to a creating skilled tender presentation.

I liken a large construction tender creation, to a marathon, no matter whether it be running, paddling, cycling, swimming or sailing, the athlete/estimator must be experienced.

One of the largest projects for which I was responsible ran for seven years and employed 360 electrical workers at its peak. Although there were thousands of lighting fittings, power outlets, clocks, alarms, computer outlets and mechanical services, it was all straightforward estimating using the details and methods developed within our company. The less comfortable areas of assessment which required the skills of well experienced estimator, were the lighting installations to many unusually high ceiling heights and the abnormal external lighting locations.

Where the experienced professional estimator was required to assess the unusual activities, and where there were no published labour units or archival details to access, was not in the electrical installation process. However, it needed experience to assess the time required to move 360 people around the workplace each day.

It wasn’t feasible to have a site shed to house that number of workers and therefore we needed multiple site sheds spread strategically around the site. The workforce was allocated to teams working in specific areas and staggered start times to alleviate controlling too many workers at once.

The same attention had to be applied to material site storage (apart from cable and trays etc.). The 360 tradies used huge quantities of fixings and accessories which had to be constantly refilled. This included the tea break-out stations which needed to be located throughout the building and replenished daily.

Prior to tender, the estimator had to be assured the suppliers understood that materials that needed to be offloaded by crane would require booking times. With the site cranes working shifts, a booking for a lift could be anywhere from 6:00am to 10:00pm on any day. If the light fitting supplier arrived late with a truckload of fifty lighting fitting pallets, it may be that they had to wait until the next available slot or leave the site and return at a later appointment.

The Olympian has a parallel pathway, with the coach and team providing support and communicating where improvements can be made, but it is the athlete who must complete the task.

The athlete’s task is continuous improvement of time management, keeping healthy by eating well, sleeping well, tolerating stress and sticking to a training routine.

Learn the basics

Having the very latest scientifically improved facilities, equipment, clothing and venues will be of no help to the budding elite athlete if he has not learned the basics. The same can be said of the new estimator, the very latest computerised estimating program will not produce a winning tender without learning the basics.

Reaching the pinnacle of success as an estimator, much like standing on the Olympic podium, requires a blend of skill, perseverance and continuous learning. Here are some ways estimators can draw parallels to athletes on their journey to success:

Training and education: Just as the athlete trains rigorously, the estimator must also undergo extensive education and training. This includes mastering industry-specific software, understanding construction processes and keeping up with new techniques and technologies.

Diligence: Precision is key in both fields. The athlete focuses on technique and form, while estimators must meticulously analyse plans, specifications, new materials and costs to ensure accurate estimates.

Continuous improvement: The athlete constantly seeks ways to improve their performance, whether through feedback, coaching or new training methods. Similarly, the estimators should continuously refine their skills and seek opportunities for professional development.

Flexibility: Both athletes and estimators need to adapt to changing conditions. Athletes may face unexpected challenges during competitions, while estimators must adjust to project changes or market fluctuations and get feedback from unsuccessful tenders.

Mental tiredness: The mental resilience required to push through challenges and setbacks is crucial. The estimator, like the athlete, must remain focused and composed, especially when faced with tight deadlines or high-stakes projects.

Teamwork: Success often requires collaboration. The athlete collaborates with coaches and teammates, while the estimator collaborates with project managers, architects, engineers and site staff to achieve project goals.

Goal setting: Setting clear, achievable goals is vital. The athlete has training and performance goals, while the estimator sets targets for accuracy, efficiency, cost management and volume of estimates within a period.

Motivation: A deep passion for the field drives both athletes and estimators. This passion fuels their motivation to excel and overcome obstacles.

Health: Elite athletes endeavour to train and compete even when ill or injured. Their motivation may stem from intrinsic factors, such as personal goals, passion for the sport or the desire to improve.

Maintaining health as an electrical estimator requires a combination of good ergonomics, regular exercise, effective stress management, and leveraging technology. By implementing these tips, the estimator can improve their overall well-being and ensure that they stay healthy and productive on the job. They need to reflect on their current habits and consider how to make small changes to lead a healthier lifestyle.

To succeed in sport, the athlete needs to make a huge physical and mental commitment. The perseverance to train and perfect a skill requires deliberate and consistent practice. The estimator must carefully analyse project requirements, gather accurate data and develop a competitive bid, all while adhering to strict deadlines. Here are some strategies to help manage both challenging processes:

Prioritise tasks: Break down the proposal into smaller tasks and prioritise them based on deadlines and importance, do not accept tender documents with unrealistic tender periods. This can help maintain focus and ensure that critical components are completed on time.

Set realistic goals: Establish achievable daily goals to keep the estimating project on track and avoid feeling overwhelmed. The same can be said for the training plan without clearly defined goals to aim for, it is all too easy to remain content just doing what has been done before.

Stay organised: The estimator to use tools like project management software or spreadsheets to track progress and ensure all elements of the proposal are covered. The athlete needs to take time to plan their training sessions, practices, and competitions in advance.

Take breaks: Regular breaks can help maintain mental focus and prevent burnout. Short, frequent breaks can boost productivity and improve concentration. The athlete can allow the body to reset.

Collaborate: The estimator Involves team members in the process to share the workload and gather diverse perspectives. Collaboration can lead to more innovative solutions and ensure no detail is overlooked. The athlete has close collaboration with their training partner.

Manage stress: The estimator practices stress-reduction techniques like deep breathing, exercise or mindfulness to stay calm and focused under pressure. The athlete’s training regime should include all these.

Review and revise: Allow time for reviewing and revising the proposal to catch any errors and make necessary improvements before submission.

Seek feedback: The estimator, before finalising the proposal, seeks feedback from colleagues or mentors to gain fresh insights and identify any potential weaknesses. The athlete, from coaches and competition results.

Elite athletes are always looking for ways to keep ahead of the competition, even the slightest advantage could mean the difference between winning and losing. It may take years of perfecting and tweaking what works regarding physical and mental training, nutrition, rest and pre and post-competition practices to find a routine that gives them the best results. They evaluate any new method one by one to see if it increases performance. Once they find what works they commit 100% to their routine only ever altering their routine after thoroughly assessing any new method.

Electrical estimating involves managing multiple tasks, deadlines, and priorities in a fast-paced and dynamic environment. Needs strong organisational skills to plan, coordinate and execute the work efficiently and effectively. Be able to manage time, resources and documents well and follow best practices and standards.

By implementing these strategies, the estimator can effectively manage the demands of creating a major tender proposal, even with a tight deadline. Estimators can not only excel in their field but also contribute significantly to the success of their projects and teams.

The main difference between the athlete and the estimator? In the construction industry, there is no silver or bronze medal – only the gold.

Brian Seymour, spent half a lifetime in track and field athletics, culminating as a pole vault dual gold medallist in World Masters Games.