Parametric Cost Estimating with Applications to Sonar Technology.

Abstract

The problem of cost overruns has been prevalent in the acquisition of weapon systems. Parametric cost analysis was instituted by the Department of Defense as a means of obtaining accurate initial cost estimates. The parametric approach uses cost estimating relationships (CER) in the development of cost predictions. An algorithm is presented for the development of parametric cost estimates obtained from CER's. Fictitious sonar data is used to provide an example of the application of the algorithm. Input and output CER's are developed and used in the construction of a parametric cost estimate for a proposed submarine sonar system. The problems of data collection, normalization, and aggregation are discussed. Numerous linear regression techniques are applied to the data to obtain the final cost models. Uncertainty in the final cost estimate due to the learning curve effect is discussed along with the uncertainty contained in the cost prediction interval. (Author)

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Sep 01, 1973
Accession Number
AD0787425

Entities

People

  • Bruce M. Miller
  • Michael G. Sovereign

Organizations

  • Naval Postgraduate School

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Acquisition
  • Algorithms
  • Cost Analysis
  • Cost Estimates
  • Cost Models
  • Cost Overruns
  • Costs
  • Department Of Defense
  • Economic Analysis
  • Uncertainty
  • Weapon Systems

Readers

  • Approximation Theory.
  • Computational Modeling and Simulation
  • Defense Acquisition Program Management