WICE: a Web-based intelligent cost estimator for real-time decision support

Real-time response to construction cost estimation request is crucial for firms to survive and grow in the construction industry. However, no existing construction cost estimating system fulfills this need thus far. We describe a joint effort by the academia and the industrial partner on developing such a system. Advanced Web-based intelligence techniques are employed in the proposed system including WWW, neuro-fuzzy system, and data mining. The industrial partner is in charge of providing knowledge sources, including expert judgments and historical data, for conceptual cost estimation. A Web-based intelligent cost estimator (WICE) is resulted. The testing results show that the proposed system provides not only a globally accessible and promptly responding means for cost estimation, but also an effective and reliable tool for real-time decision-making.