Investigation and Evaluation of the Cost Estimation Methods of Iraqi Communication Projects

The aim of this study to investigate and evaluate the methods used to cost estimate of the communications towers, and evaluate the factors influencing on the cost of the communication towers projects in Iraq. The questionnaire as an important source of acquiring field information about the cost management in the communication sector in Iraq was designed. the number of the questionnaire forms distributed and received with communication companies (Asiaceel, Zain, Itisaluna, Korek) was 58 forms. The methods adopted in the cost estimate of the towers in the communication companies, results shown that the highest rate was for Bottom-up estimating by (90%), and by (10%) for Analogous estimating, while the Parametric estimating and never used in these companies. The factors which affect on the cost of towers projects are presented. The respondents (clients, contractors and consultants) were required to rank the variables according to their perceived significance level as contributing factor to cost in towers construction project. Variables (x7, x8, x11, x12, x14, x15, x16, x18, x20 and x21) neglected because the relative importance less than 50%. The highest ranked factor variables for factors influencing in Tower cost is x3 with relative importance (RI) of 76.2% first (1st), x13 was ranked second (2nd) with RI of 75.4%, x4was ranked third (3rd) with RI of 71.2%.