scholarly journals Use of Factors in Development Estimates: Improving the Cost Analyst Toolkit

2021 ◽  
Vol 28 (96) ◽  
pp. 40-70
Author(s):  
Matthew Markman ◽  
Jonathan Ritschel ◽  
Edward White
Keyword(s):  
Systems Engineering ◽  
Management Systems ◽  
Defense Acquisition ◽  
Engineering Data ◽  
Standard Cost ◽  
Contract Type ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Time And Energy ◽  
Cost Factors ◽  
Relevant Factors

Factor Estimating is a technique commonly used by defense acquisition analysts to develop cost estimations. However, previous studies developing factors for the Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) phase of the life cycle are limited. This research expands the current toolkit for cost analysts by developing cost factors in previously unexplored areas. More specifically, over 400 cost reports are utilized to create new standard cost factors that are delineated by five categories: commodity type, contract type, contractor type, development type, and Service. The factors are developed for those elements that are common in a wide array of projects such as program management, systems engineering, data, or training. This new factor dataset provides cost analysts with the information necessary to appropriately identify and select the most relevant factors to use when developing future cost estimates. Through statistical analysis, the research also helps identify those elements in which more analysts’ time and energy should be allocated when developing their estimates.

Best Project Management and Systems Engineering Practices in the Preacquisition Phase for Federal Intelligence and Defense Agencies

2008 ◽  
Vol 39 (1) ◽  
pp. 59-71 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven R. Meier
Keyword(s):  
Systems Engineering ◽  
Life Cycle Cost ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Management Systems ◽  
Technology Readiness ◽  
Significant Cost ◽  
Intelligence Agency ◽  
Engineering Practices ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Office Personnel

The analysis of several government defense and intelligence agency large-scale acquisition programs that experienced significant cost and schedule growth shows that several critical factors need to be addressed in the preacquisition phase of the acquisition cycle. These include overzealous advocacy, technology readiness levels, life-cycle cost, schedule details, requirements maturity, acquisition and contract strategy, program office personnel tenure and experience, risk management, systems engineering, and trade studies. The results of this study–which incorporated data from industry responses, government and industry executive interviews, numerous studies, and reports–indicate that early preacquisition activities executed in a rigorous fashion can significantly reduce the risk of cost and schedule growth. In this paper, the root causes of the cost and schedule growth are discussed as well as techniques and alternatives to improve program performance.

scholarly journals A Proposal for an Integrated Methodological and Scientific Approach to Cost Used Forestry Machines

2020 ◽  
Vol 42 (1) ◽  
pp. 63-75
Author(s):  
Dalia Abbas ◽  
Fulvio Di Fulvio ◽  
Enrico Marchi ◽  
Raffaele Spinelli ◽  
Mike Schmidt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Focal Point ◽  
Operating Cost ◽  
Forest Operations ◽  
New Approach ◽  
Standard Cost ◽  
Single Piece ◽  
Machine Operators ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Cost Factors ◽  
Input Cost

This paper offers a conceptual analysis of the unaccounted-for cost of owning and operating used machines from an operational, financial and market perspective. It is based on input from experts and a literature review. In the scientific literature, assessing the operating cost of used machines in forest operations is typically based on standard cost assessment methods using costing/pricing input from similar unused machines. This is the case since there are usually no historical data for observed used machines available to analyze. This substitute analysis is problematic to many used and depreciated machines owners. The changing trends in forest technology attest that old machinery do not hold to the same input cost data variables or values of new machines. In fact, they belong to two rather competing different markets: (used vs. new equipment markets). With the technological, market and machinery regulations and dynamic changes, the substitute cost analysis is not representative. Better data is required to understand the cost of owning and operating used machines and the justification is the focal point of this paper. The outcome of the expert and literature analysis in this paper demonstrates that a broader understanding of the cost of a used machine is required and doable. A proposed understanding integrates the machine availability (performance), cost factors (financial) and market evaluation (price), in isolation (single piece of machine) as well as in a fleet, to assess a used machine ownership cost. The study is intended to offer forest machine operators, owners, scientists, and practitioners a proposed new approach to value used machines and further investigations and data inputs required to make used machines costing methods more relevant.

Inventory optimization considering the vehicle capacity and specifics of cash flows at rental storage sites

2020 ◽  
pp. 77-90
Author(s):  
V.D. Gerami ◽  
I.G. Shidlovskii
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Inventory Management ◽  
Sufficient Conditions ◽  
Cash Flows ◽  
Management Systems ◽  
Cargo Capacity ◽  
Special Modification ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Necessary And Sufficient ◽  
Vehicle Capacity

The article presents a special modification of the EOQ formula and its application to the accounting of the cargo capacity factor for the relevant procedures for optimizing deliveries when renting storage facilities. The specified development will allow managers to take into account the following process specifics in the format of a simulated supply chain when managing inventory. First of all, it will allow considering the most important factor of cargo capacity when optimizing stocks. Moreover, this formula will make it possible to find the optimal strategy for the supply of goods if, also, it is necessary to take into account the combined effect of several factors necessary for practice, which will undoubtedly affect decision-making procedures. Here we are talking about the need for additional consideration of the following essential attributes of the simulated cash flow of the supply chain: 1) time value of money; 2) deferral of payment of the cost of the order; 3) pre-agreed allowable delays in the receipt of revenue from goods sold. Developed analysis and optimization procedures have been implemented to models of this type that are interesting and important for a business. This — inventory management systems, the format of which is related to the special concept of efficient supply. We are talking about models where the presence of the specified delays for the outgoing cash flows allows you to pay for the order and the corresponding costs of the supply chain from the corresponding revenue on the re-order interval. Accordingly, the necessary and sufficient conditions are established based on which managers will be able to identify models of the specified type. The purpose of the article is to draw the attention of managers to real opportunities to improve the efficiency of inventory management systems by taking into account these factors for a simulated supply chain.

Automated Control of the Microclimate in the Premises of Pig-Breeding Complexes

2020 ◽  
pp. 103-108
Author(s):  
Viktoriya Yu. Ukhanova
Keyword(s):  
Agricultural Production ◽  
Individual Characteristics ◽  
Feed Consumption ◽  
Management Systems ◽  
Research Purpose ◽  
Energy Costs ◽  
Technical Equipment ◽  
Pig Farming ◽  
The Individual ◽  
The Cost

In the pig breeding, a large share of the production cost is accounted for by the cost of electricity and heat. Reducing energy costs is one of the important tasks of the industry. It is important to identify and study modern technologies and equipment for pig farming due to the constant increase in electricity tariffs, significant energy costs for creating and maintaining a microclimate. (Research purpose) The research purpose is in an analysis of modern available technologies and equipment for agricultural production, including pig farming, allowing to reduce the cost of production. (Materials and methods) Authors used a method for determining the standard indicators of energy consumption of energy resources in the pig industry, based on the calculation and analytical method. The article presents an analyze of automated microclimate management systems in pig breeding complexes, taking into account the individual characteristics of farms produced by OWEN. (Results and discussion) Automated microclimate management systems can improve the productivity of pig farms; reduce the cost of electrical and thermal energy, reduce the number of diseases of animal from hypothermia, high humidity or temperature in the room, feed consumption; monitor the chemical composition of the air. The article considers three options for creating a microclimate in rooms with animals, taking into account the individual characteristics of enterprises. (Conclusions) The profitability of pig production depend on the level of technical equipment of farms, automation, and the use of energy-saving technologies and equipment. The use of innovations in agricultural production makes it possible to increase labor productivity up to three times, and savings due to reduced feed costs can reach several million rubles a year.

scholarly journals ANN-Based Decision Making in Station Keeping for Geotechnical Drilling Vessel

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 596
Author(s):  
Murugan Ramasamy ◽  
Mohammed Abdul Hannan ◽  
Yaseen Adnan Ahmed ◽  
Arun Kr Dev
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Water Depth ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Cost Benefit ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Station Keeping ◽  
Operational Information ◽  
Effective Option ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Cost Factors

Offshore vessels (OVs) often require precise station-keeping and some vessels, for example, vessels involved in geotechnical drilling, generally use Spread Mooring (SM) or Dynamic Positioning (DP) systems. Most of these vessels are equipped with both systems to cover all ranges of water depths. However, determining which system to use for a particular operational scenario depends on many factors and requires significant balancing in terms of cost-benefit. Therefore, this research aims to develop a platform that will determine the cost factors for both the SM and DP station-keeping systems. Operational information and cost data are collected for several field operations, and Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) are trained using those data samples. After that, the trained ANN is used to predict the components of cost for any given environmental situation, fieldwork duration and water depth. Later, the total cost is investigated against water depth for both DP and SM systems to determine the most cost-effective option. The results are validated using two operational scenarios for a specific geotechnical vessel. This decision-making algorithm can be further developed by adding up more operational data for various vessels and can be applied in the development of sustainable decision-making business models for OVs operators.

Design for Maintenance: How Kms Document Linking Decisions Affect Maintenance Effort and Use

2014 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 312-326 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alan R Dennis ◽  
Binny M Samuel ◽  
Kelly McNamara
Keyword(s):  
Information System ◽  
System Development ◽  
Management Systems ◽  
Information System Development ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Useful Knowledge ◽  
Design Considerations ◽  
Dynamic Content ◽  
System Maintenance ◽  
The Cost

Information system maintenance is an important aspect of information system development, especially in systems that provide dynamic content, such as Web-based systems and Knowledge Management Systems (KMS). Design for Maintenance (DFM) is an approach that argues that maintenance effort should be considered during the design of information systems in addition to the usual system design considerations. This research examines how the design of links among knowledge documents in a KMS affects both their maintenance and use. We argue that providing links among knowledge documents increases the cost of maintenance because when a document changes, the documents that link to and from that document are more likely to need changes. At the same, linking knowledge documents makes it easier to locate useful knowledge and thus increases use. We examine this tension between use and maintenance using 10 years of data from a well-established KMS. Our results indicate that as the number of links among documents increases, both maintenance effort and use for these documents increase. Our analyses suggest two DFM principles for dynamic content in practice. First, knowledge coupling (i.e., linking) to documents internal to the KMS rather than sources external to the KMS better balances maintenance effort and use. Second, designing small, knowledge cohesive documents (e.g., 250-350 words) leads to the best balance between maintenance effort and use.

The current issues of using innovative solutions in waste-free management systems

2021 ◽  
pp. 136-148
Author(s):  
Olga Vytvytska ◽  
Mykyt Pundyk
Keyword(s):  
Raw Materials ◽  
Waste Recycling ◽  
Household Waste ◽  
Management Systems ◽  
Energy Technology ◽  
Processing Technologies ◽  
Management Technology ◽  
Innovative Solutions ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Theoretical Foundations

The purpose of the article. The purpose of the study is to substantiate the theoretical foundations and practical innovative solutions for the reuse of waste resources with a proposal for improved waste management technology with prospects for implementation in Ukraine. Research methodology: theoretical and practical aspects of the introduction and implementation of eco-management, because for Ukraine such an approach to the introduction of innovative processing technologies in enterprises is completely new. Methodical toolkit of substantiation of innovative decisions of reuse of resources from waste, structure of prime cost of the improved system for the Goloseevsky area. Kiev. Scientific novelty. It is proposed to optimize the existing garbage problem in most regions and replace waste trucks based on the method of the pneumatic system manufactured by Envac. The system allows you to reduce the cost of moving cargo over time sorting or disposal points. Conclusions. The introduction of innovative systems in Ukraine for the year saves UAH 34 billion 499 million, in addition, the sorting of household waste is gaining popularity, recycling tanks are being installed in cities, the population is beginning to treat waste with understanding, and a behavioral strategy has been introduced to stimulate waste recycling. In addition, the proposed technology of sorting raw materials allows you to sort up to 97% of household waste, and the rest to burn for energy. All this makes the development of the processing industry in Ukraine promising. Keywords: innovations, waste-free systems, secondary raw materials, energy, technology.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document