Quick Start Guide: Build a basic model
ARGUS Developer 7
© 2016 ARGUS Software, Inc.
ARGUS DEVELOPER Quick Start Guide: Build a basic model
PURPOSE OF THIS DOCUMENT
This brief guide has been designed to show the user how the basic features are used to produce a simple model. This is a
complimentary learning aid to ARGUS Developer Training courses or the eLearning guides.
BY END OF THIS GUIDE YOU WILL BE ABLE TO…
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
2
Create a Portfolio & Project
Navigate the Project tab
Enter Project Assumptions
Define Project Timescales
Add model details through Definition editors
Produce a Project Cash Flow
View the Summary
Produce Reports
© 2016 ARGUS Software, Inc.
ARGUS DEVELOPER Quick Start Guide: Build a basic model
CREATING A PORTFOLIO AND A PROJECT
Once you have logged on, you start in the Projects browser.
Work with legacy ARGUS
Developer files by using
Import/Export function
Click here to Add, Duplicate
or Delete a portfolio
Click here to Add (from a
default template), Duplicate
or Delete a project
List of available portfolios
List of available projects
within the selected
portfolio. Double click to
display the project
When adding a project, the
template list appears. Click
“Default.ptl”.
A project must belong to a portfolio
3
© 2016 ARGUS Software, Inc.
ARGUS DEVELOPER Quick Start Guide: Build a basic model
NAVIGATING AROUND THE PROJECT TAB
Once you have added a new project, the Project tab is displayed from where you can access all parts of the application.
Enter your calculation
Assumptions here
To begin setting up your
timescales, click here
The main workspace
tabs will always be
displayed at the top
Enter project description
and location.
Project Start Date can be
set by clicking here
The Data Checker will alert
you if there are problems in
your appraisal
KPI Dashboard gives you an “on
the fly” readout of you Key
Performance Indicators
There is no “Undo” button in the program. When an action is completed you will be prompted to save the information
to the database.
4
© 2016 ARGUS Software, Inc.
ARGUS DEVELOPER Quick Start Guide: Build a basic model
FINANCE, INFLATION & GROWTH and CALCULATION MODE
The Assumptions for Calculation set the various assumptions that are applied throughout your model.
Click on Assumption
button to open “Assumptions for Calculation” editor.
You can return here and make changes at any time.
Interest sets are used to define loan structures. Setup one set for each type of loan used in the project.
For additional loans, click the “ + “
button.
Enter your finance rates and the
number of months you wish to
apply it for.
For additional Sets of Rates, click
the “+ “ button.
Enter your Inflation/Growth rates, and the
number of months you wish this rate to apply.
Remember to carry your final rate into
perpetuity.
Inflation is the change in your Costs over time.
Growth is the change in your Revenues over
time.
5
© 2016 ARGUS Software, Inc.
ARGUS DEVELOPER Quick Start Guide: Build a basic model
PROJECT TIMESCALE
Timescale and Phasing is used to set up and maintain the timing assumptions for a project. This section is one of the most
important and valuable aspects of the application because of the event-based timing and the ability to deal with multiple
phases within one model.
In ARGUS Developer, each phase is displayed in a different tab and can have a different timescale and financial structure.
To make this a Multi Phase Project, you
can click on the “ + “to add a new
Phase, or Copy an existing phase to
save time – remember to delete any
surplus costs.
You can give your
Phase a name here.
You can print this
Screen as a report
by clicking here.
When entering the length of
each of the Development
stages, try to think about the
costs involved in each stage.
A timeline (or Gantt Chart) will
build up here.
Once you have defined your timescale, ARGUS Developer will use this as the basis of the Project Cash Flow, pinning
costs and revenues into default locations. The timing of these costs can be changed later.
6
© 2016 ARGUS Software, Inc.
ARGUS DEVELOPER Quick Start Guide: Build a basic model
DEFINITION TAB
This tab allows you to define area schedules, sales, rents and costs whether it is a commercial, residential or operated asset
development.
This screen has a lot of content, but is broken down into six simple areas:
1. Areas, Build rates, Revenues & Values
2. Land & Acquisition
3. Construction Costs
4. Professional Fees
5. Marketing, Letting & Disposal
6. Additional Data
You enter the details of
what you intend to build.
Enter Land & Acquisition costs. Note the
calculated Residualised Price is
automatically displayed.
7
Enter any additional
Construction Costs
Click on the ellipsis “...“
button where available, to
enter more detailed cost
information
Enter associated
professional Fees
Enter details of Disposal
Costs and Fees
Any Additional Costs and Revenues
that don’t fit in elsewhere can be
entered here.
© 2016 ARGUS Software, Inc.
ARGUS DEVELOPER Quick Start Guide: Build a basic model
DEFINITION TAB - AREA SCHEDULE
The Area Schedule editor allows you to define what you intend to build based on areas or unit sales.
Only a minimum amount of information needs to be entered to determine the Capital Value.
Enter your Construction Cost on
a per ft2. or per annum basis
You can enter your detailed
Area breakdown by value or
use a Gross : Net ratio
Enter your Rent on per ft2. or
per annum basis
Lastly enter your Yield %.
This will immediately give
you a Capital Value.
The Area Schedule for
Unit Sales is much
simpler, as no
Capitalisation is
required.
To add additional
areas to the
schedule, click on
the “ + “ button.
You can then
move between
them using these
Tabs.
8
© 2016 ARGUS Software, Inc.
ARGUS DEVELOPER Quick Start Guide: Build a basic model
PROJECT CASH FLOW TAB
The Project Cash Flow tab, is a flexible analysis tool that is generated automatically from all the revenues and costs entered
by you in the Definition tab.
The power of the Project Cash flow is to take costs that have been placed into default locations (as defined by Timescale),
and move them around to suit your project.
You can select what grouping you want
applied to the Cost Items by clicking
the Group button
9
To change the Cash Flow’s
Periodic View Cycle click here
Stages and Periods in the
Cash Flow are labelled for
easier navigation.
© 2016 ARGUS Software, Inc.
ARGUS DEVELOPER Quick Start Guide: Build a basic model
SUMMARY TAB
This tab display a summary of the revenue, costs, and financing model you have created along with associated KPI’s.
Right-click to open the context
menu to allow you to print and
export this summary in a variety
of formats
10
10
© 2016 ARGUS Software, Inc.
ARGUS DEVELOPER Quick Start Guide: Build a basic model
REPORTS
Click on the Preview Reports button
on the Home ribbon to either access the Standard Reports or Report Setup
where you can create your own Report Groups.
You can Print or Preview your Report by
clicking here.
You can create a Group of reports which can
then be quickly printed again.
11
Select which Reports you want to add
to your Report Group by highlighting
it and then clicking Add
© 2016 ARGUS Software, Inc.
ARGUS DEVELOPER Quick Start Guide: Build a basic model
For more, make use of the following resources:
F1 Help – The Integrated context sensitive help is your first place to start with questions.
Download documentation from:
http://www.argussoftware.com/argus-developer-downloads/




12
Release Notes
Installation Guide
User Guide
Calculation Manual
© 2016 ARGUS Software, Inc.