MEA Impact of unrealistic cost planning in GCC webinar

Overview

Unrealistic cost planning remains one of the most critical yet underestimated risks in the construction and real estate industry. Feasibility studies developed on generic benchmarks, unsupported assumptions, and limited local market intelligence often result in distorted project budgets and misleading financial indicators such as ROI, IRR, and NPV.

When projects progress from feasibility into design development, these gaps become evident, leading to redesigning, funding shortfalls, delayed approvals, or complete project abandonment. This challenge is increasingly visible across the GCC, where many developments struggle to align early-stage estimates with actual market conditions.

This webinar will move beyond theory and highlight practical, market-driven solutions to these challenges. Participants will gain insight into how realistic cost planning should be structured, how benchmarks must be adjusted for asset type, location, procurement strategy, and contractor tier, and how early-stage estimates can be validated effectively.

The session will also introduce a data-driven cost intelligence approach designed to support more reliable feasibility studies and informed investment decisions. Attendees will leave with actionable knowledge they can apply immediately to reduce risk, improve decision-making, and enhance project viability.

Learning outcomes

• Understand how unrealistic cost planning impacts feasibility, ROI, and project viability.
• Learn practical methods to validate and develop realistic early-stage cost estimates.

Speaker

• Furqan Ahmad MSc CPM, Senior Estimator MEP, Professional Technologies Company