For the last 12 months we’ve been working with partners AECOM to develop the Capital Cost Database. The system was launched to members at our conference in April 2019 and this signaled the start of the initial data gathering phase of the project. The database went live to AUDE members on Wednesday 13 November 2019.

What next?

• Members can now request log-ins to the system so they can see what has been achieved in this early phase and start to learn from the projects that have been submitted to the database to date
• Members can continue to submit projects so that the database continues to grow and become more and more useful in terms of the comparison information it provides
• Please note that to this point we have only accepted projects greater than £500k in value. From this point onwards projects of all sizes can be submitted, so please get involved.

The AUDE Capital Cost Database enables estates team within universities to access the UK’s largest database of higher education projects and building types, while providing cost and design benchmark data, thereby enabling them to make more informed decisions about capital projects.

With results available in a range of reporting methods, users of the database will be able to benchmark and quickly analyse any aspect of their projects to help with managing project and construction costs. Users will also have the ability to create scenario estimates by selecting and deselecting certain projects and adjusting key drivers, such as gross internal areas of a building or rates for each cost element.

This is the first cost database dedicated to University estate projects. The relevance and quality of data that is available through the system will better inform business cases for new projects and refurbishment schemes.

The database has been built around AECOM’s existing Global Unite system, which is a secure web-based platform that holds cost data, project information and key benchmark ratios for construction projects all over the world. The AUDE Capital Cost Database will have the same functionality as Global Unite, but with data specific to UK University estate projects.

Kenneth Kinsella, Chair of the AUDE Capital Group, said: “The implementation of this tool gives AUDE members more direct access to data that was only previously commercially held by 3^rd parties. It now brings together the data of all its members into one combined place and gives members the ability to quickly work with real data when planning estates projects.”

Steven Jenkins, Director – Healthcare, Science and Tertiary Education, UK & Ireland, AECOM, said: “The AUDE Capital Cost Database will provide University estate teams with access to a wealth of previously untapped data about real life projects in their sector. The flexible system means that total project budgets can be determined early, with confidence, and data can be quickly analysed to help better plan and forecast project and construction costs.”

Jane White, AUDE Executive Director, said: “In this initial phase more than 30 universities have submitted over 150 projects to the database which means this new tool has begun in great style. We know AUDE members will continue to submit their projects – the more that do the more helpful the database will be to all of us. The key thing now is for members to request their system log-ins so they can get in there and get a sense of how amazingly useful this tool will be for them and their university. Inevitably there is something of a pilot phase about the position we’ve reached. For the future, projects of all sizes are welcome and I encourage all members to engage with the database and continue to submit projects to it.”