Setting up work breakdown structures in Sage BidMatrix

Sage BidMatrix can import work breakdown structure (WBS) codes that are set up in integrated estimating programs, such as Sage Estimating and Trimble WinEst, to organize bid packages and phases by different elements, such as location and cost centers.

When you import a Sage Estimating estimate into BidMatrix, BidMatrix automatically recognizes the WBS codes defined in Sage Estimating and uses them to structure the bid packages and phases accordingly.

When importing an estimate from another program, such as Trimble WinEst or Excel, you can select WBS codes from the estimate that represent bid package descriptions and the bid package phases in BidMatrix. You can also configure BidMatrix to remember these mappings for use in future bids.

However, if you set up a bid from scratch in BidMatrix and you want to use WBS codes to organize the bid, or if you want to use WBS codes that weren’t used in the imported estimate, you need to set up work breakdown structures in BidMatrix manually.

There's no limit on the number of work breakdown structures.

To set up WBS in BidMatrix:

1. Do one of the following:

   • To set up a WBS for all projects, select Libraries > Work Breakdowns.

     This option is available for Admins and Librarians.

   • To set up a WBS for a specific project, enter the project Bid Room and select Work Breakdowns.

   Changes made to work breakdowns within a specific project apply only to that project, while changes made from the Libraries menu apply globally across all projects. The Scope column indicates whether a code is available globally or project-specific.

2. Select Add Work Breakdown to add a work breakdown.

3. In the dialog, enter a Name, such as Location.

4. When adding a WBS in Libraries, optionally select Automatically add values to Library during import to automatically add WBS values imported in projects directly to the global library.

   When this option is not selected, WBS values imported from estimate files in projects will be project-specific.

   For users, this setting does not change the process and any values they import to the WBS remain project-specific.

   To apply this setting to an existing WBS, Admins and Librarians can select the ellipsis icon () next to the WBS and select Auto import values.

5. Select OK.

To import multiple WBS in BidMatrix:

1. Enter a project Bid Room and select Work Breakdowns.

   Admins and Librarians can also go to Libraries > Work Breakdowns.

2. Select Add Work Breakdown > Import multiple Work Breakdowns from an estimate or file....

   Alternatively, if you're an Admin or Librarian importing WBS in Libraries, select Import.

3. Select the file type and select Next.

4. Drag and drop your file into the designated area, or select Browse to find and upload it from your device.

5. Select Next.

BidMatrix will automatically add the WBS codes to the Work Breakdowns.

To add values to a WBS in BidMatrix:

1. In the Work Breakdowns, select the WBS from the list.

2. In the Work Breakdown section, select the plus icon ().

   For example, if the work breakdown you’re defining is Location, select Add Location.

3. In the dialog, enter the Code and a descriptive Name.

   The code must be alphanumeric.

   For example, if you were adding codes for locations, the code could be 001 and the name North Burnaby.

4. Select Add to save the code or Add and Add Another to keep the dialog open and continue adding more codes.

Add codes to each of the WBS that you’ve created, including any alternates, bid packages, job cost codes, job cost categories, and phases that you plan to use in your projects.

Next step: On the project Summary Sheet, assign the new WBS codes to the project bid packages and bid packages phases.