1、Lessons Learned Entry: 1344Lesson Info:a71 Lesson Number: 1344a71 Lesson Date: 2003-01-01a71 Submitting Organization: ARCa71 Submitted by: Donald R. MendozaSubject: Resources Management: Cost Estimates Description of Driving Event: The Projects formulation phase was predominately accomplished by a s
2、mall group of research scientists and engineers. Thus, most of their planning and management experience had been gained while working on academic type activities in which the main deliverables were data and research publications (level of effort type in which work was fit into forecasted budgets as
3、opposed to actual deliverable requirements). However, the current Project was required to develop and deliver a major scientific instrument. While the team did have experience with other instruments, including a similar one used on another project, they had never developed an instrument of the requi
4、red size nor had they developed anything requiring FAA flight certification. Making matters worse, the formulation team did not have Center project management support to aid, review, or verify the initial cost estimate. Each time the Project attempted to adjust (re-baseline)their cost estimate the s
5、ame process was used. Unfortunately, the insular nature of the process resulted in the repetition of the same issues mentioned above leading to inaccurate cost estimates. Finally, after realizing the Projects costs had been under estimated by a large factor, the Center elected to cancel the Project.
6、Lesson(s) Learned: 1. An initial cost estimate that is significantly inaccurate can doom a project to failure regardless of what other actions are taken.2. Instrument costs do not always scale linearly or predictably, especially when the development and application environments differ significantly
7、from previous experience.3. Indirect costs such as those required to gain FAA certification are significant and need to be included into cost estimates.4. A projects budget should never be forced to fit into an available funding source if the requirements dictate the need for additional resources.5.
8、 Provided by IHSNot for ResaleNo reproduction or networking permitted without license from IHS-,-,-Recommendation(s): 1. Supplement the use of in-house cost histories with relevant industry and other Government cost data. Cost estimates should be based on the combination of all available data.2. See
9、k the help of people having experience in the environment (both programmatic and technical) in which the project will develop and field its products, especially when working in unfamiliar territory like FAA certification.3. Verify cost estimates with outside independent experts.4. Ensure that all pr
10、oposals go through a formal approval process that includes representation from appropriate project management elements. Enlist the expertise from Center resources such as the System Management Office, Chief Engineer, Training Office, Mission Assurance Organizations, and Resources Management Office s
11、uch that cognizant experts review all parts of the proposal.5. Evidence of Recurrence Control Effectiveness: N/ADocuments Related to Lesson: N/AMission Directorate(s): a71 Exploration Systemsa71 Sciencea71 Space Operationsa71 Aeronautics ResearchAdditional Key Phrase(s): a71 Administration/Organizat
12、iona71 Aircrafta71 Configuration ManagementAdditional Info: Provided by IHSNot for ResaleNo reproduction or networking permitted without license from IHS-,-,-Approval Info: a71 Approval Date: 2003-07-28a71 Approval Name: Andrew Hockera71 Approval Organization: ARCa71 Approval Phone Number: 650-604-4120Provided by IHSNot for ResaleNo reproduction or networking permitted without license from IHS-,-,-
