Date of Award

3-23-2017

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science in Cost Analysis

Department

Department of Mathematics and Statistics

First Advisor

Edward D. White, PhD.

Abstract

The main concern of a program manager is to manage the cost, schedule, and performance triad of a program. Historically, programs tend to meet the performance aspect at the expense of cost or schedule, or both. This research gives the acquisition community a set of tools that enables them to impartially analyze the cost and schedule of their programs, helping to mitigate these issues. Five regression models encompass this toolset; one to estimate the median program cost and four to identify the probability of realizing a given overrun. The cost model explains 81% of the variation in program acquisition using seven predictor variables available to the estimator at the time of MS B start. Four logistic models estimate the probabilities that a program may identify as a program that experiences cost and schedule overruns of specific magnitudes from their MS B estimate. These models predict the group the program may reside in with an accuracy of at least 0.79 probability and use multiple predictor variables available at MS B. With these tools the program manager has the ability to preemptively identify potential problems in their program based on the program’s characteristics, potentially saving millions in cost and schedule overruns.

AFIT Designator

AFIT-ENC-MS-17-M-231

DTIC Accession Number

AD1051598

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