HOME/Insights.../Harmonizing BoQs with RICS ICMS, CSI Uniformat II, and MasterFormat 2020: Achieving Holistic Project Consistency through DANAOS ProjectVIEW ERP Harmonizing BoQs with RICS ICMS, CSI Uniformat II, and MasterFormat 2020: Achieving Holistic Project Consistency through DANAOS ProjectVIEW ERP June 17, 2025June 28, 2025 // Insights In an era where construction projects are not only evaluated by cost and schedule but also by their environmental impact and process transparency, the ability to maintain consistency across cost control, budgeting, and sustainability metrics is crucial. DANAOS Projects Software Solutions empowers the construction industry to meet this demand through the innovative capabilities of DANAOS ProjectVIEW ERP, uniquely enabling multi-standard classification (multiplexing) of Bills of Quantities (BoQs) for comprehensive project governance. Multi-Standard Classification: The Cornerstone of Integrated Project Management 1. ICMS as the Environmental Management and Portfolio Indexing Backbone At the strategic level, RICS ICMS (International Construction Measurement Standards) provides a global framework for classifying construction costs in a manner that supports sustainability objectives. Within ProjectVIEW ERP, BoQs are mapped to ICMS layers, enabling a harmonized approach for: Carbon impact tracking across the project portfolio. Cross-project benchmarking and portfolio-level ESG reporting. Lifecycle cost evaluations integrated with environmental considerations. By aligning BoQs with ICMS, ProjectVIEW establishes a portfolio-wide Environmental Index, enabling owners, developers, and contractors to make decisions informed not just by budget but also by carbon metrics and resource sustainability. 2. CSI Uniformat II: Structuring Cost Control Accounts In day-to-day project operations, cost control is only as effective as the structure that underpins it. ProjectVIEW ERP utilizes CSI Uniformat II to classify BoQ items according to building systems and assemblies. This classification becomes the foundation of Cost Codes, which serve as Cost Control Accounts (CCAs), enabling: Streamlined progress tracking and forecasting at the subsystem level. Seamless integration with site execution processes. Real-time variance detection between planned and actual costs. This uniform structuring allows project managers to maintain clarity and control, ensuring that each budgeted dollar is traceable and accountable. 3. MasterFormat 2020: Material and Service Categorization for Estimation and Procurement While Uniformat II structures the where and what in construction, MasterFormat 2020 defines the how by classifying individual items such as materials, products, and subcontracted services. DANAOS ProjectVIEW ERP leverages this classification to support: Detailed resource-based estimation (materials, labor, machinery, subcontractors). Enhanced procurement planning and supplier interfacing. Granular budget allocation aligned with actual construction methods and trade packages. In tandem with Uniformat II, MasterFormat 2020 supports accurate bottom-up budgeting, ensuring resource usage is optimized across disciplines and packages. BoQ Multiplexing: Enabling Multi-Purpose Mapping in ProjectVIEW ERP DANAOS ProjectVIEW ERP is the only platform in the industry that enables true many-to-many association between BoQs and multiple classification systems (ICMS, Uniformat II, MasterFormat 2020). This multiplexing capability allows: Each BoQ item to be simultaneously mapped to its environmental category (ICMS), control account (Uniformat II), and item description (MasterFormat 2020). Flexibility to support different stakeholder perspectives (e.g., finance, sustainability, procurement, site operations). A unified data structure serving all project workflows, both on-site and in-office. This model creates a digital thread that ties all project data back to a single source of truth, streamlining collaboration, audits, and compliance. Linking BoQs with WBS: Unlocking Earned Value and Advanced KPIs The final piece of the puzzle is the association of BoQs (along with their classifications) to the Work Breakdown Structure (WBS). When this integration is established, ProjectVIEW ERP enables: Real-time Earned Value Analysis (EVA) by tracking physical progress against budgeted cost and planned value. Automated generation of Cost Performance Index (CPI) and Schedule Performance Index (SPI). Dynamic KPI dashboards showing productivity, efficiency, and environmental impact—down to work-package level. This integration delivers unparalleled cost control, allowing decision-makers to predict outcomes early, take corrective actions, and continuously improve. Conclusion: A Foundation for Smart Construction By enabling BoQs to act as a multi-purpose integrator—classified according to ICMS, Uniformat II, and MasterFormat 2020—and linking them directly to the WBS, DANAOS ProjectVIEW ERP provides a comprehensive, scalable, and sustainable framework for project execution. This level of data consistency and integration empowers stakeholders to manage cost, schedule, and sustainability in a single, unified environment—driving smarter construction from tendering to handover and beyond. Share Previous Article Next Article