You can create a multilevel structure by using a base planning object as an item in another cost estimate. This allows you to combine a group of frequently-occurring costing items for a base planning object and to use it as a "building block" in further cost estimates. Exploding the base planning object enables you to replace items that refer to a base planning object by their costing items (see graphic below).

You have two options:

• Set the flag All levels. The system replaces each level of the base planning object with the items of the cost estimate.
• Set the Number of levels indicator and enter a level. The system replaces every base planning object with the costing items down to the level specified.

1. Set the All levels indicator, if you want the system to replace all levels of the base planning objects.
2. Set the Number of levels indicator, if you want the system to explode to a particular level. Enter a level with this.

4. Choose Explode.

The system copies the item values that were in the exploded base planning object into the list screen of the current unit cost estimate.

Items of category S (total) from the cost estimate to be exploded are not inserted. Items of category O (operation) are assigned to item category V (variable). The operation value becomes the variable item value.

Whether the inserted items are revaluated depends on whether you are exploding all or a certain number of levels. If you explode all levels, the items will be revaluated. If you explode a certain number of levels, the system will only revaluate up to this level.