The reliability of project cost estimates at every stage in the project development process is necessary for responsible fiscal management. Reliable cost estimates result in effective programming and budgeting and will aid in staffing and budgeting decisions as well as effective use of department resources. Communication with decision makers on critical budget issues is also impacted by the quality of the estimate. This guide provides instruction to design staff and project managers for a consistent approach to cost estimating. At the same time, it provides guidance on how to treat the common and recurring challenges encountered in the estimating process. Source: Mitesh Bhatt