Slide1 : Cost Estimation
(OA 4702)
Professor Dan Nussbaum
Department of Operations Research
Glasgow 242
656-2387
dnussbaum@nps.edu
Course Overview : Course Overview Syllabus
What is Cost Analysis?
How are Cost Estimates used?
Why do we care?
Overview of this course.
Syllabus : Syllabus
What is Cost Analysis? : What is Cost Analysis? Cost Estimating: The process of collecting and analyzing historical data and applying quantitative models, techniques, tools, and databases to predict the future cost of an item, product, program or task. The art of approximating the probable worth (or cost) extent, or character of something based on information available at the time.
Cost estimate is an analysis of individual cost elements using established methodologies to project from data to estimated future costs
Purpose of cost estimating
Translate system/functional requirements associated with programs, projects, or processes into budget requirements
Determine and communicate a realistic view of the likely cost outcome, which can form the basis of the plan for executing the work
What is Cost Analysis? : What is Cost Analysis? “The art of weapon system cost estimating. It involves using incomplete, inaccurate, and changing data of an outmoded & ineffective weapon system to derive the precise cost of purchasing an unknown quantity of an undefined weapon to satisfy an overly exaggerated & unvalidated requirement at some time in the future, under uncertain conditions, with a minimum of funds.”
What is Cost Analysis? : What is Cost Analysis?
What is Cost Analysis? : What is Cost Analysis? It is an “Estimation of Costs”
An analytical effort directed at calculating/projecting the future cost of weapon systems – both an Art and a Science
Incorporates several quantitative analysis techniques:
Data Collection and Analysis
Regression Analysis
Learning Curves
Risk Analysis
Involves Micro and Macro views of a program
Must understand from a micro-perspective how each cost element relates to another – This is half the work!!
Must also understand total cost implications
Requires interaction with engineers, logisticians, schedulers, all people involved in the program.
How Are Cost Estimates Used? : How Are Cost Estimates Used? Used as a source of resource information for planning purposes
Provides a quantitative basis for management decisions regarding optimal allocation of resources
A cost analyst helps to decide which of the possible alternatives is more desirable and recommends a course of action that will steer decision makers towards it and away from undesirable alternatives
Used as “financial advice”
Budget decisions
Program Managers
Purposes of cost estimating : Purposes of cost estimating Translate system/functional requirements associated with programs, projects, or processes into budget requirements
Determine and communicate a realistic view of the likely cost outcome, which can form the basis of the plan for executing the work
Develop a source of resource information for planning purposes
Provide a quantitative basis for management decisions regarding optimal allocation of resources
Cost estimating, as part of a total systems analysis, provides an analytic underpinning to support decision makers.
A cost analyst helps to decide which of the possible alternatives is more desirable and recommends a course of action that will steer decision makers towards it and away from undesirable alternatives.
When is Cost Analysis and Estimating Done : These applications demand different types of forecasts, generated with the different levels of detail available at the relevant stage in the equipment’s life cycle.
When is Cost Analysis and Estimating Done Budget development, justification, execution
Program development and justification
Balance of Investment studies of future force mix
Selection of equipment through AoAs
Efficient management through equipment life cycle
Acquisition Budgeting Fee for Service ROI Strategic planning
Why is Cost Estimating Done? : Why is Cost Estimating Done? Make decisions on program viability, structure, and resource requirements
Establish and defend budgets
Assess technology changes
Provide basis for evaluating competing systems and /initiatives (cost/benefit analyses and AoAs)
Conduct analysis of alternatives (AoA)
Perform source selection
Perform design trade-offs
Comply with public law
Satisfy oversight requirements
Identify and objectively quantify the impact of program risks (technical and schedule risks)
Evaluate proposals for cost reasonableness
Cost estimating, as part of a total systems analysis, provides an analytic underpinning to support decision makers.
As part of a total systems analysis, cost estimating helps decision makers to: : As part of a total systems analysis, cost estimating helps decision makers to: Make decisions on program viability, structure, and resource requirements
Establish and defend budgets
Assess technology changes
Provide basis for evaluating competing systems and /initiatives (cost/benefit analyses and AoAs)
Conduct analysis of alternatives (AoA)
Perform source selection
Perform design trade-offs
Comply with public law
Satisfy oversight requirements
Identify and objectively quantify the impact of program risks (technical and schedule risks)
Evaluate proposals for cost reasonableness
Why Do We Care? : Why Do We Care? DOD Directive 5000.1 and DOD Instruction 5000.2 specify the policy and procedures to be used during the acquisition of weapons systems
Cost estimates are required in the Acquisition Process
Resources are increasingly scarce and weapons systems are increasingly expensive
With budgets decreasing and costs increasing, informed decisions are critical!
-- Estimating errors today are much more dangerous than
in the past –- (example: A-12 program)
Unit Cost Trends : Unit Cost Trends B-1 C-5 B-58 B-52 B-36 B-17 B-24 $
Slide15 : DoD Cost Estimating – The Basics
Program Manager is responsible for preparation of program office cost estimate
Military service reviews program office cost estimate and forms a Service Cost Position
An independent cost estimate is required for all major defense acquisition programs
OSD CAIG estimate for programs of interest to SECDEF
Service cost agency estimate for other programs
The service cost position and the independent estimates are presented to the Defense Acquisition Executive and the Defense Acquisition Board
Statutory and Regulatory Bases for DoD Cost Estimates : Statutory and Regulatory Bases for DoD Cost Estimates USC Title 10, Section 2432:
The SecDef shall report a full life cycle cost for each major defense acquisition program (MDAP) ……
USC Title 10, Section 2434:
The SecDef may not approve SDD, or the production and deployment, of a MDAP unless an independent estimate of the full life-cycle of the program … [has] been considered by the Secretary.
… the independent estimate … [shall] -- (a) be prepared by an office or other entity that is not under … the military department … directly responsible for … [developing or acquiring] the program; and (b) include all costs …. without regard to funding source or management control …
DoDI 5000.2:
…the CAIG shall prepare an independent life-cycle cost estimate and report for all milestone reviews after Milestone A (Program Initiation/Milestone B & C).
DoD Directive 5000.4:
… the OSD CAIG is chaired by the Deputy Director, Resource Analysis, in the Office of the Director, Program Analysis & Evaluation.
Slide17 : Acquisition Process: The New DoD 5000 Model IOC Technology Development System Development
& Demonstration Production & Deployment Systems Acquisition Operations &
Support User Needs & Technology Opportunities Sustainment Process entry at Milestones A, B, or C
Entrance criteria met before entering phase
Evolutionary Acquisition or Single Step to Full Capability FRP Decision
Review FOC LRIP/IOT&E Design
Readiness Review Pre-Systems Acquisition (Program Initiation) Concept Decision Concept Refinement
Acquisition Categories : Acquisition Categories
Overview of this Course : Overview of this Course
Why Cost Analysis? : Why Cost Analysis? Each Cost Estimate is different
-- Truly an Art
Each requires a refined methodology
-- There are no “Black boxes”
Each requires planning, insight, judgment and analysis of its own.
The previous cost categories have a lot of uncertainty, so we look at historical program costs to help us predict these costs for future weapon systems.
What do we mean by Cost? : What do we mean by Cost? Manpower
Hardware
Training
Program Management
Systems Engineering
Etcetera...
No Matter What the Resource, it all boils down to $$$$$$$$$$
Scope of the DoD Cost Estimates : Scope of the DoD Cost Estimates Full Life Cycle Costs- all phases and elements of weapon systems
Research Development Test & Evaluation
Hardware and Software
Supporting Data, Equipment, Training
Initial Spares
Military Construction (MILCON)
Modifications
Operations and Support Over System Life
Including Manpower
Environmental Cost -
Compliance, Demilitarization, Clean-Up, Disposal
Regardless of Funding Appropriation or Source
Based Upon Program Described in the Cost Analysis Requirements Description (CARD)
Slide23 : Understand the Assignment Define the Scope
Cost Element Structure
Life Cycle Duration Identify Data Sources & Collect Data Generate Final Documentation / Presentation Perform Sensitivity Analysis Develop & Document LCC Elements Determine Cost Estimating Methodologies LCCE Process
The Cost Estimating Process : The Cost Estimating Process Definition &
Planning Data
Collection Estimate
Formation Review &
Presentation Final
Document Documentation
Related Subjects We Will Discuss : Related Subjects We Will Discuss Types of Estimates
Normalizing Data
Work Breakdown Structure
Acquisition Milestone Process
Selecting Estimating Methodologies
Software Development Costs
Risk and Uncertainty Analyses
Economic Analysis
and many more...
Data Collection : Data Collection Inherent Problems
Data Sources
-- Where to Find Them
-- Internet
Data Normalization
-- Compare “Apples-to Apples”
Parametric Cost Modeling : Parametric Cost Modeling Parametric Cost Estimating Relationships
Cost = ¦ (technical, performance, schedule) Supported by Statistics Univariate Analysis Bivariate Analysis Multivariate Analysis
Log-linear Analysis
Non-Parametric Cost Modeling : Non-Parametric Cost Modeling Analogy
Expert Opinion
Engineering Buildup
Cost Factors
Extrapolation from Actuals
Statistics : Statistics
Risk and Uncertainty : Risk and Uncertainty Risk Management
Predicting Cost Uncertainty Probabilities
-- Cost not as a “Point Estimate”, but as a
Probability Distribution
-- Comptroller: “How much do I budget to be 80% sure of having adequate funding?”
Cost Risk : Cost Risk A cost risk analysis is modeled to compute the most likely cost for a project based on the individual cost probability distributions for WBS components
A cost risk analysis presents the distribution of possible costs based on the probability that risk to individual elements may result in cost increases or decreases
Cost risk is the inherent risk in estimating a Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) component due to variances in approaches, availability of data and schedule/performance risks associated with a program
The Effect of Time : The Effect of Time Time-Phasing Costs
-- How to “spread” cost over time?
Cost Improvement/Learning Curves
Differences Between Development and Production Costs
Production Rate
The Life Cycle : The Life Cycle Components of Life Cycle Costs are related to project phases -
Concept studies - Feasibility studies
Project definition - Full development
Production investment - Production
Demonstration & acceptance - Operational investment
Operations - Support
Post & continuing design - Disposal
Concept Refinement
Life-cycle cost categories : Life-cycle cost categories These are categories commonly used by the Cost Analysis Improvement Group (CAIG). They are listed in DoD 5000.4-M, Cost Analysis Guidance and Procedures.
Research &Development (R&D): Estimated cost of all program specific research and development.
Investment: Estimated cost of the investment phase, including total cost of procuring the prime equipment; related support equipment; training; initial and war reserve spares; pre-planned product improvements and military construction.
Operating and Support (O&S): Estimated cost of operating and supporting the fielded system, including all direct and indirect costs incurred in using the system, e.g., personnel, maintenance (unit and depot), and sustaining investment (replenishment spares). The bulk of life-cycle costs occur in this category.
Disposal: Estimated cost to dispose of the system after its useful life. This includes demilitarization, detoxification, long-term waste storage, environmental restoration and related costs.
Life-Cycle Cost Composition : Life-Cycle Cost Composition Guidance/Control
Airframe
Propulsion
Avionics, etc.
Non-recurring start-up
Allowance for changes
FLYAWAY COSTS
Plus
Tech Data
Publications
Contractor Services
Support equipment
Training equipment
Factory training
WEAPON SYSTEM COST PROCUREMENT COST Plus
Initial
Spares Plus
RDT&E
Military
Construction
PROGRAM ACQUISITION COST Plus
Operations
Support
LIFE-CYCLE COST
Life-Cycle Phases and Their Relative Cost : Life-Cycle Phases and Their Relative Cost Timeè $ Potential for
LCC savings Cumulative LCC
Cost Terminology : Cost Terminology Recurring Costs are those costs that are repetitive and occur when a company produces similar goods or services on a continuing basis. A fixed cost that is paid on a repeatable basis is a recurring cost (i.e., rent). For example, for a company that provides architectural services, office space rental - which is a fixed cost - is also a recurring cost. Can be tied to Quantity Produced.
Nonrecurring costs are those costs that are not repetitive, even though the total expenditure may be cumulative over a relatively short period of time. Nonrecurring costs typically involve developing or establishing a capacity to operate. For example, the cost of purchasing real estate upon which a plant will be built is a nonrecurring cost, as the cost of constructing the plant itself. Cannot be tied to Quantity.
Cost Terminology : Cost Terminology Direct Costs are those costs that can be reasonably measured and allocated to a specific output/product or work activity.
Typical direct costs include the labor and material costs directly associated with a product, service, or construction activity.
Indirect Costs are those costs that are difficult to attribute or allocate to a specific output or work activity. Costs that involve too much effort to allocate directly to a specific output; instead, they are allocated through a selected formula (i.e., proportional to direct labor hours or direct material dollars). Cannot be tied to a specific product.
Typical indirect costs include the costs of common tools, general supplies, equipment maintenance
Cost Terminology : Cost Terminology Fixed Costs are those costs which are unaffected by changes in output quantity over a feasible range of operations for the available production capability.
Typical fixed costs include insurance and taxes on facilities, general management and administrative salaries, license fees, and interest costs on borrowed capital. These are Non-Recurring Costs.
Variable Costs are those costs associated with production that vary with quantity of output. Variable costs are the primary costs that should be considered when making an economic analysis of a proposed change to an existing operation.
Typical variable costs include material and labor; these are Recurring Costs.
Cost Terminology : Cost Terminology Overhead Costs consist of plant operating costs that are not direct labor or direct material costs. (Indirect costs, overhead, and burden are terms that are sometimes used interchangeably).
Typical overhead costs include electricity, general repairs, property taxes, supervision
Various methods are used to allocate overhead costs among products, services, or activities.
Most commonly used methods involve allocation in proportion to direct labor costs, direct labor hours, direct materials costs, the sum of direct labor and material costs, or machine hours. (refer to example)
Cost Terminology : Cost Terminology Sunk Costs are those costs that have occurred in the past and have no relevance to estimates of future costs and revenues for alternative course of action.
Common to all alternatives, not part of prospective cash flows in the future
Can be disregarded in cost analysis
Opportunity Costs are those costs incurred because of the use of a limited resource. The opportunity to uses that same resource to monetary advantage in an alternative use is foregone.
The cost of the best rejected or foregone opportunity
Often hidden or implied
Cost Terminology : Cost Terminology Standard Costs are representative costs per unit of output that are established in advance of actual production or delivery – “Expected” or “Pre-Determined” Cost
Developed from the direct labor hours, materials, and support functions (with their established costs per unit) planned for the production or delivery process.
Play an important role in cost management/control. Representative uses include:
estimating future manufacturing or service delivery costs
measuring operating performance by comparing actual cost/unit with the standard unit cost
preparing bids on products or services
establishing the value of work-in-progress and finished inventories
Cost Terminology : Cost Terminology Life-Cycle Cost: the Total Cost of the Acquisition and Ownership of a System over its complete Life Cycle. (diagram)
Begin with the identification of the requirement for the system and end with its retirement and disposal costs.
Time horizon is situation-specific and may be projected on a functional or economic basis.
DoD life-cycle costs can be decomposed into the following sub-categories:
development costs
flyaway costs
weapon system costs
procurement costs
program acquisition costs