Cost Estimating & Analysis Course
Descriptions
Fundamentals of Cost Estimating
FOCE01 | 1-day Seminar
This one-day seminar, intended for those new to the field of cost estimating and analysis, provides an overview of the cost estimating process, describes the various estimating approaches available, and discusses how to create Cost Estimating Relationships. In addition, students will be introduced to learning curve theory, cost risk analysis, and life cycle cost estimating.
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Fundamentals of Cost Estimating
FOCE03 | 3-day Workshop
An expanded version of the one-day seminar, this three-day workshop is designed to show participants the basic principles, practices and processes in completing a cost estimate. The course presents practical techniques and tools to develop a credible cost estimate. It covers, in depth, such topics as learning curve theory, Cost Estimating Relationship (CER) development, data collection and analysis, time phasing and escalating the estimate, conducting cost risk analysis, and life cycle and total ownership cost estimating.
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Fundamentals of Hardware Cost Estimating
FHCE01 | 1-day Seminar
This one-day seminar focuses on providing techniques, concepts, principles, and theories for estimating hardware equipment. Students will learn the commonly used estimating methods and when to apply each. The seminar includes discussions on developing cost estimating relationships, properly applying learning curve theory, "pricing" the estimate, and performing cost risk analysis.
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Fundamentals of Software Cost Estimating
FSCE01 | 1-day Seminar
This one-day seminar is ideal for those new to estimating software-intensive systems since attendees are introduced to the basic principles, concepts, and terminology of software cost estimating. Students will learn about what drives the cost of software programs and gain an understanding of the various methodologies available to estimate software development costs. The workshop will provide an overview of the estimating process/steps, software sizing, and software support estimation.
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Fundamentals of Software Cost Estimating
FSCE03 | 3-day Workshop
This three-day workshop is an extension of the one-day seminar, designed to provide practical techniques, tools, tips, and recommendations for developing credible and accurate software project cost estimates. The course covers, in depth, the following topics: estimation methods and steps, measuring software size and quality, estimating code growth and risk reserves, estimating software support, using productivity metrics to estimate projects, and estimating Commercial Off-the-Shelf software implementation projects.
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Earned Value Management
EVMT02 | 2-day Workshop
This two-day workshop introduces the fundamental business practices of project management, utilizing earned value principles and methodologies. The lecture portions of the course are intended to invite discussion and address student questions. Exercises are integrated with lecture to reinforce important concepts.
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EVM Baseline Planning Overview
EVBP01 | 1-day Seminar
This one-day seminar introduces the fundamental objectives, processes and importance of integrated baseline planning for EVM. The seminar is designed to provide the essential aspects of Work Breakdown Structure Development, integrated scheduling to support EVM planning, budgeting concepts, and integration of performance measurement techniques. The EVM Baseline Planning Overview course also provides a summary overview of the objectives and processes involved in the ANSI-748 Integrated Baseline Review.
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EVM Reporting and Analysis Overview
EVRA01 | 1-day Seminar
This one-day seminar introduces the processes involved in operating an integrated Earned Value Management project control system. The seminar is designed to provide an appreciation for the mechanisms that produce EVM data elements, the processes for summarizing and analyzing those elements, and the standard reporting formats that are unique in an EVM environment.
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Fundamentals of Earned Value Management
FEVM01 | 1-day Seminar
This one-day executive seminar introduces the fundamental business practices of project management, utilizing earned value principles and methodologies. The seminar is designed to provide an appreciation for the role of EVM within the Federal CPIC Management environment, how it applies to Agency processes and people, and its impact on suppliers to the Agency Programs.
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Bid & Proposals
BDPP03 | 3-day Workshop
The process of preparing responsive, appealing, credible, competitive, and convincing bids and proposals is both time-consuming and costly. Proposal preparation is a challenging and demanding exercise that requires the dedication of key personnel. Further, meeting customer affordability requirements is often crucial, since typically 80% of a project's costs are committed based on decisions during concept development.
This three-day workshop highlights the vital components of preparing faster and better bids and proposals utilizing the parametric estimating methodology. Attendees will gain valuable tips on how to prepare responsive, appealing, credible, competitive, and convincing bids and proposals quicker and with fewer resources than the typical bottom-up approach. The course integrates lectures and exercises that deal with proposal preparation, developing a "win strategy," affordability management tools (such as CAIV, TOC, and Target Costing), make versus buy decisions, "ghosting" the competition, and vendor/subcontractor benchmarking.
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Total Ownership Cost
TOSC01 | 1-day Seminar
This one-day seminar gives an overview of Total Ownership Cost (TOC), the Department of Defense's initiative to control cost on new weapon systems and modifications on old weapon systems. The course will examine the cost elements (research and development, procurement, military construction, operating and support, and decommissioning/demilitarization) of this initiative.
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Cost as an Independent Variable
CAIV01 | 1-day Seminar
Cost as an Independent Variable (CAIV) entails setting aggressive, realistic cost objectives for acquiring defense systems, and managing program risks to achieve those objectives. Cost objectives must balance mission needs with projected out-year resources, taking into account existing technologies as well as the high-confidence matriculation of new technologies.
This one-day seminar introduces students to the concepts and philosophy of CAIV, the various aspects of CAIV, the benefits of using CAIV, and the guidelines for its implementation based on real-world experiences in industry and government. This course provides an overview of the CAIV Maturity Process, an objective evaluation process that measures an organization's current program management environment with respect to meeting CAIV compliance goals. Real-world examples are used to challenge trainees and reinforce important concepts.
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Data Collection
DCLN01 | 1-day Seminar
Credible, reliable and understandable data is critical to estimate formulation. This one-day seminar will introduce students to a systematic, structured approach to collect data for cost estimating and analysis. Students will learn about the data collection process, data conditioning and data normalization. The seminar will also cover data types and sources, as well as the issues to consider when collecting and analyzing data.
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Project Cost Management
PCMT03 | 3-day Workshop
This three-day workshop is designed to assist program/project managers, proposal managers, contract and engineering managers apply world-class tools and methods to promote more effective risk managements, critical path analysis, and performance measurement as they relate to project cost management. Topics include schedule analysis, cost estimating and budgeting, performance measurement, change control, and risk management.
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Procurement Supplier Assessment
PSAT01 | 1-day Seminar
This one-day seminar addresses procurement practices that can most benefit from PRICE solutions. We will demonstrate real applications that show how improved hardware/software project estimating and control can deliver real gains in the procurement process.
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Information Technology Benchmarking
ITBM01 | 1-day Seminar
Both small and mid-sized organizations are spending an increasing percentage of their budget for Information Technology (IT) needs. This one-day seminar will aid with the consolidation management of all IT investments, set priorities, and optimize rate of return while providing a standard IT measurement that enables planners to better manage all aspects of IT projects-from justification to resources to post-implementation lifecycle maintenance.
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GAO Cost Guide
GAOG01 | 1-day Seminar
This one-day seminar addresses the Cost Assessment Guide released in mid-2007 by the Government Accountability Office (GAO), particularly its impact on Government and Industry. Four fundamental themes are discussed: (1) the twelve-step Cost Estimating Process and why it represents best practices; (2) Requirements and Technical Baseline Documents: defining what Program Offices want and why they want it; (3) Program Risk and Uncertainty: dealing with uncertainty, budgeting and scheduling for success, and; (4) Linking Estimating with EVM and Risk Management: end-to-end cost management, early warnings, and knowledge growth.
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Integrated Systems Portfolio
ISPF01 | 1-day Seminar
Do you seek a single software solution to help increase organizational productivity? PRICE Systems' Integrated Systems Portfolio one-day seminar provides a solid building block for utilizing a detailed system integration approach to life cycle costing to assess project and product portfolios. Attendees will be introduced to an approach that enables organizations to align investments with corporate goals, thereby selecting opportunities that deliver the highest return from scarce resources. This seminar will illustrate a methodology that helps in the identification, management, and delivery of portfolios aligned with overall corporate strategic business priorities.
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Evaluation of Contractor Cost Proposals
ECCP03 | 3-day Workshop
The federal government procurement environment has changed dramatically over the past several years as acquisition reforms and initiatives have been implemented. Meanwhile, the Parametric Cost Estimating Initiative (PCEI) has revolutionized and fostered the use of parametric estimates as the primary Basis of Estimate (BOE) for bids and proposals. These developments have elevated the importance of the cost analyst's role during a source selection.
This three-day workshop highlights the PCEI, examines the use of parametrics in view of federal guidelines and regulations, dissects how contractors use parametric estimating techniques as their primary estimating methodology, and surveys the acquisition landscape and how it impacts the cost analysis function. Using lectures, case studies and group discussions, this course will provide government personnel with effective, immediate-use information regarding concepts, principles, and techniques to evaluate a PRICE-based cost estimate.
Upon course completion, government cost analysts will be able to quickly sift through intricate and voluminous cost proposals, focusing their attention on the "real" cost drivers and instantly recognizing the common pitfalls and mistakes that contractors make.
Note: while there are no formal pre-requisites for this class, it is suggested that the student have taken either PRICE H or S training.
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How to Estimate Capability
HECY01 | 1-day Seminar
This one-day seminar introduces methods that improve early estimates, and improve the communication of the factors that affect them. This course is for those with little or no experience in estimating, as well as those seasoned estimators looking to hone their skills.
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Microsoft Project and Cost Estimating
MPCE01 | 1-day Seminar
Cost and schedule are inextricably intertwined in modern systems. If one changes, the other is almost sure to change. This one-day seminar explores the interdependence of these two project characteristics. Using Microsoft Project and PRICE TruePlanning®, the one-day seminar illustrates the capability of these tools to solve complex project cost and schedule problems. The class also addresses the topic of risk adjusted schedule baselines. This seminar is recommended for cost analysts, schedulers, and project managers.
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Function Point Fundamentals
1-day Seminar
This one day course provides training and instruction in the IFPUG Function Point Analysis counting and sizing methodology. Students will learn the basic rules under the most current International Function Point Users Group counting guidelines, and effective techniques of counting function points through interactive lecture and exercises.
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Words into Numbers
1-day Seminar
This one day course uses a structured approach to sizing software that is compliant with function points and CMMI® and uses basic techniques like sentence diagramming and pattern recognition to size software early in the development lifecycle. You will learn how to size using concepts you learned in grade school like sentence diagramming from English class creating a scenario for estimators and project managers where life could not get much better!
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Goal Driven Measurement
1-day Seminar
This workshop is a hands-on, interactive approach to streamlining and optimizing metrics programs throughout the metrics life-cycle using business value-driven goals. Using a proven approach with a combination of class exercises and discussion, the participant will learn key strategies to successful measurement, identification of value-based key indicators, methods of gauging value and progress, building a business case for metrics initiatives, best-in-class uses for measurement, and actionable planning for metrics improvement.
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Peer Reviews
1-day Seminar
This one day workshop is intended for those individuals who desire formal peer review/inspection training that will allow them to immediately execute their learning experience into realized gains. Participants will learn the value-driven benefits of disciplined team peer review/inspections to improve quality and producitvity. Through lecture and exercises, participants will also learn the roles and responsibilities to ably perform in future inspections, the steps necessary to complete an efficient and successful inspection and the rules and guidelines that increase the value of the inspection process.
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Project Estimation for Software Development
1-day Seminar
This one day course instructs participants on how to effectively estimate software projects earlier in the lifecycle with a higher degree of accuracy. Attendees will learn streamlined sizing techniques using the Function Point Analysis methodology and how to efficiently use function points in estimating modeling when they return to their organization.
