Integrating BIM-Based Automated Measurement and Centralized Pricing Dashboards for Enhanced Pre-Tender Cost Management in Quantity Surveying Practice

Abstract

Pre-tender cost estimation in Malaysian Quantity Surveying (QS) firms continues to rely heavily on manual 2D quantity take-off and spreadsheet-based pricing, resulting in fragmented data, repetitive work, and reduced cost reliability. Despite the availability of BIM tools and digital platforms, existing practices lack an integrated workflow that links automated quantity measurement with live, centralized pricing during the pre-tender stage. This study addresses this gap by proposing an integrated digital workflow that combines BIM-based automated measurement using Glodon software with real-time pricing visualization through Google Looker Studio. The research adopts a system development and workflow analysis approach, in which the proposed system is conceptually designed and demonstrated based on identified limitations in current QS practices, supported by the literature. The system has not been tested on a live project but has been evaluated through functional comparison and process mapping. The proposed workflow demonstrates potential improvements in coordination, reduction of repetitive manual tasks, and enhanced reliability of pre-tender cost information, offering a QS-focused contribution to digital cost management practice