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Full-Text Articles in Finance and Financial Management

The Adequacy Of The Fourteen General Systems Characteristics As Function Point Adjustment Factors, Michael D. Prater, Joseph C. Willoughby Sep 1999

The Adequacy Of The Fourteen General Systems Characteristics As Function Point Adjustment Factors, Michael D. Prater, Joseph C. Willoughby

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research is to assess the perceived adequacy of the 14 general systems characteristics (GSCs) in deriving a value adjustment factor (VAF) for calculating final function point counts. Two self-administered surveys were used to collect data. Based on the survey results, it is clear that the 14 GSCs currently do not adequately represent the applications complexity required to adjust function point counts. The current GSCs remain controversial and while this research can not conclusively state that one factor is more accurate than any other, it is evident that certain GSCs are perceived to he more useful for …

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The Development Of Laser Cost Estimating Relationships (Cers) From Commercial Data, Michael J. Nolette, Steven L. Seeley Sep 1999

The Development Of Laser Cost Estimating Relationships (Cers) From Commercial Data, Michael J. Nolette, Steven L. Seeley

Theses and Dissertations

The Post Cold War acquisition environment has been marked by significant budget reductions and the greater use of commercial practices. In this austere and rapidly changing acquisition environment, accurate cost estimates are paramount to maximize the use of the DoD's critical resources. The advancement of laser technology has spawned a large variety of military laser applications such as the Airborne Laser (ABL), Space Based Laser (SBL) and a host of other smaller programs. Furthermore, the Air Force Laboratory's Directed Energy Applications for Tactical Airborne Combat (DEATAC) Study (the sponsoring activity of this thesis research) is considering a host of airborne …

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Implementation Of An Activity-Based Costing System In An Air Force Laboratory Environment, Jayson M. Wrona, Martin Memminger Aug 1999

Implementation Of An Activity-Based Costing System In An Air Force Laboratory Environment, Jayson M. Wrona, Martin Memminger

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the initial implementation of an Activity Based Costing (ABC) system within the United States Air Force's Research Laboratories (AFRL). We were attempting to ascertain what the initial purposes for implementing ABC within AFRL were, then determine whether or not those goals were being attained. We also attempted to evaluate the current system's appropriateness for achieving those initial purposes. Finally, we provide suggested changes to the model and areas for future research. We noted problems with AFRL's current ABC system. We were able to condense the problem into two main categories. First, when …

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Software Support Cost Estimating Models: A Comparative Study Of Model Content And Parameter Sensitivity, Kevin L. Brummert, Philip R. Mischler Jr. Sep 1998

Software Support Cost Estimating Models: A Comparative Study Of Model Content And Parameter Sensitivity, Kevin L. Brummert, Philip R. Mischler Jr.

Theses and Dissertations

This research entailed a comparison of five software estimating models: PRICE-S, SEER-SEM, SoftCost-OO, SoftEst, and SPR KnowledgePLAN. The objective was to research the differences of the software models as related to software support cost. The following major question areas were addressed: (1) How do the differences between the models impact the resulting cost estimates? (2) To what degree can we explain and adjust for the differences between cost models? All items were for flight avionics of a manned aircraft. The differences between the models significantly impact the resulting estimates. Over the five models evaluated, a range of over $60 million …

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An Exploratory Study Of The Use Of Parametric Estimating In Department Of Defense Contracting, Patricia Blakely, Rudolph Haynesworth Sep 1998

An Exploratory Study Of The Use Of Parametric Estimating In Department Of Defense Contracting, Patricia Blakely, Rudolph Haynesworth

Theses and Dissertations

An initiative to expand the use of parametric estimating in government contracting has enjoyed only marginal success. Some reasons for the slower pace of implementation are the lack of availability of historical data, training, acquisition rules, utility, and accuracy concerns. Those associated with the Parametric Cost Estimating Initiative (PCEI) have a higher perception of parametric utility and accuracy than those not associated with the initiative. The PCEI advocates using parametric techniques in any situation, not just the concept/development phases advocated by most literature. Parametric estimating is a catch all term for several different types of statistically based methodologies, ranging from …

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A Vft Approach To Allocation Of Manpower And Budget Cuts, Thomas G. Boushell Mar 1998

A Vft Approach To Allocation Of Manpower And Budget Cuts, Thomas G. Boushell

Theses and Dissertations

The National Air Intelligence Center (NAIC), like many Department of Defense (DoD) and civilian organizations, has been forced to undergo budget and manpower reductions. This year's resource allocation decision requires NAIC to identify both contracts and personnel to be cut. In order to reduce the amount of time and subjectivity involved in this important decision, a resource allocation model was developed to compare different alternatives. This model uses decision analysis with value-focused thinking to quantify the resultant impact of the chosen cuts. The impact was quantified based upon the NAIC Commander's values and preferences, which were used to build a …

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Calibration And Validation Of The Cocomo Ii.1997.0 Cost/Schedule Estimating Model To The Space And Missile Systems Center Database, Wayne A. Bernheisel Sep 1997

Calibration And Validation Of The Cocomo Ii.1997.0 Cost/Schedule Estimating Model To The Space And Missile Systems Center Database, Wayne A. Bernheisel

Theses and Dissertations

The goal of this study was to determine the accuracy of COCOMO II.1997.0, a software cost and schedule estimating model, using Magnitude of Relative Error, Mean Magnitude of Relative Error, Relative Root Mean Square, and a 25 percent Prediction Level. Effort estimates were completed using the model in default and in calibrated mode. Calibration was accomplished by dividing four stratified data sets into two random validation and calibration data sets using five times resampling. The accuracy results were poor; the best having an accuracy of only .3332 within 40 percent of the time in calibrated mode. It was found that …

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Calibration And Validation Of The Sage Software Cost/Schedule Estimating System To United States Air Force Databases, David B. Marzo Sep 1997

Calibration And Validation Of The Sage Software Cost/Schedule Estimating System To United States Air Force Databases, David B. Marzo

Theses and Dissertations

This research entailed calibration and validation of the SAGE Software Cost/Schedule Estimating System, Version 1.7 as a means to improve estimating accuracy for DoD software-intensive systems, and thereby introduce stability into software system development. SAGE calibration consisted of using historical data from completed projects at the Space and Missile Systems Center (SMC) and the Electronic Systems Center (ESC) to derive average performance factors (i.e., calibration factors) for pre-defined categories of projects. A project was categorized for calibration by either its primary application or by the contractor that developed it. The intent was to determine the more appropriate categorization for calibration. …

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A Study Of Historical Inflation Forecasts Used In The Department Of Defense Future Years Defense Program, Mark S. Sweitzer Sep 1997

A Study Of Historical Inflation Forecasts Used In The Department Of Defense Future Years Defense Program, Mark S. Sweitzer

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis explores historical inflation forecasts used in the Department of Defense (DoD) Future Years Defense Program. The study examines historical DoD forecasts against experienced inflation as measured by the Gross National Product and Gross Domestic Product implicit price deflator (GNP/GDP IPD) from 1979 to 1996. This study also compares the accuracy of DoD forecasts with those made by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) and Data Resources, Incorporated (DRI). The results regarding the performance of historical DoD inflation forecasts are mixed. Upon examining budget through five year GNP/GDP IPD forecast spans, DoD short-term results do not indicate a downward bias …

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Tracking Overhead Orta Costs In Technology Transfer Activities, Thomas S. Van Egeren Sep 1997

Tracking Overhead Orta Costs In Technology Transfer Activities, Thomas S. Van Egeren

Theses and Dissertations

An ever shrinking Research and Development (R&D) budget, coupled with a widespread perception that the nation is not realizing an adequate return from its substantial investment in the federal laboratory system, has paved the way for an increase in the transfer of technology from the federal laboratories to the private sector. The objective of this research is to determine the indirect cost of performing technology transfer by identifying the resources consumed by several key Office of Research and Technology Applications (ORTA) organizations and the activities performed within these organizations. It was hypothesized that the ORTA organizations, which are considered indirect …

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A Comparative Study And Estimation Of The Life-Cycle Cost Impact Of Application Of Real-Time Non-Intrusive (Rtni) Monitoring Technology To Real-Time Embedded Systems, Michael D. Lewis Jan 1997

A Comparative Study And Estimation Of The Life-Cycle Cost Impact Of Application Of Real-Time Non-Intrusive (Rtni) Monitoring Technology To Real-Time Embedded Systems, Michael D. Lewis

Theses and Dissertations

The use of real time non-intrusive (RTNI) monitoring has had an impact on life cycle costs of existing programs through a reduction in debug time. Other areas in which RTNI monitoring can provide potential benefits to future programs are through the use of increased dynamic testing and the sharing of testing time among more engineers. There are a number of areas in which software life cycle costs are impacted by various cost drivers. To determine which areas were affected by the use of RTNI monitoring, a panel of expert users of RTNI monitoring was created using a form of the …

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Some Empirical Evidence On The Non-Normality Of Cost Variances On Defense Contracts, Robert J. Conley Iv Nov 1996

Some Empirical Evidence On The Non-Normality Of Cost Variances On Defense Contracts, Robert J. Conley Iv

Theses and Dissertations

This study tested the hypothesis that defense cost variances reported on the Cost Performance Report are normally distributed. The DOD requires that all defense cost variances which breech a pre-specified threshold be investigated. The present variance investigation model has been criticized because it can prompt frivolous investigations. In theory, statistical models could reduce the number of frivolous investigations, but they are not used because they require too much information about the cost variance, including its distributional form. Often such models assume a normal distribution, but researchers have shown that the models do not work properly if the assumption is fallacious. …

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The Design Of A Financial Management Database System, Edward G. Leszynski Sep 1996

The Design Of A Financial Management Database System, Edward G. Leszynski

Theses and Dissertations

This research led to the design and development of a financial management database system for the Aeronautical Systems Center (AS C) Environmental Management (EM) Systems Program Office (SPO), which has the responsibility of managing the environmental contracts for the Government-Owned, Contractor-Operated (GOCO) plants that are owned by the Air Force. This thesis investigated the various 'development strategies' and 'methodologies' described in the Management Information Systems literature in order to devise an end-user development strategy capable of meeting the EM SPO's requirements. In addition, the information requirements, conceptual design and prototyping, and procedures phases of the System Development Life Cycle (SDLC) …

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An Evaluation Of U.S. Air Force Aviation Fuel Consumption Factors To Accurately Predict Aviation Fuel Costs By Aircraft Mission, Design, And Series, Jodi A. Clayton Sep 1996

An Evaluation Of U.S. Air Force Aviation Fuel Consumption Factors To Accurately Predict Aviation Fuel Costs By Aircraft Mission, Design, And Series, Jodi A. Clayton

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this thesis was to undertake a systematic, scientific study of the accuracy of Air Force published fuel factors to estimate fuel costs at MAJCOM level by mission, design, and series (MDS) since the implementation of the Fuels Automated Management System (FAMS) under the current environment of decentralized aviation fuel (AVFUEL) funding. The research found that, at MAJCOM level, the use of USAF published AVFUEL factors in estimating out-year costs would have overstated costs in both fiscal year (FY) 1994 and FY 1995 by $2.5 M (FY 1994), by $.25 M (FY 1995), and may potentially understate costs …

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Cost Management Competencies For Department Of Defense Program Managers, Brent R. Baxter, Kurt R. Bolin Sep 1994

Cost Management Competencies For Department Of Defense Program Managers, Brent R. Baxter, Kurt R. Bolin

Theses and Dissertations

The magnitude of money involved in the acquisition of defense systems and the public scrutiny resulting from cost overruns and program failures make cost management competence critical to program success. This research examined the cost management competencies required of defense program managers. A cost management competency model was developed from a foundation of past research. The model was evaluated through a mail survey of 682 intermediate and senior level military program managers in Air Force Materiel Command. The results provided by the 330 respondents indicate that 29 of the 47 competencies in the model were valuable to the program managers. …

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Applicability Of An Activity Based Cost System In Government Service Organizations, Robert W. Callahan, Daniel A. Marion Sep 1994

Applicability Of An Activity Based Cost System In Government Service Organizations, Robert W. Callahan, Daniel A. Marion

Theses and Dissertations

This research focused on the applicability of Activity-Based Cost (ABC) systems within government service organizations. ABC implementation efforts within other government organizations were first examined to determine what information short caused managers to consider ABC implementation. Next, archival analysis was conducted within the case study organization to determine if the same accounting information shortfalls existed. An ABC system was then implemented within the case study organization. ABC information was compared with information provided by the case study organization's fund accounting system. The case study organization's fund accounting system traced congressional appropriations to categories of expenditures for FY93. The fund accounting …

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Development Of Standardized S Curves For The Evaluation Of Major Department Of Defense Purchases, Richard E. Knepp, Michael E. Stroble Sep 1993

Development Of Standardized S Curves For The Evaluation Of Major Department Of Defense Purchases, Richard E. Knepp, Michael E. Stroble

Theses and Dissertations

The increasing cost of Department of Defense acquisitions combined with the shrinking Defense budget puts a premium on continuing the funding of only those programs that are practical and affordable. This emphasizes a need for good methods of monitoring the progress of programs. Current methods of controlling and evaluating cost performance are limited. It is our belief that the generation of S-curves using current Cost and Schedule Control Systems Criteria (C/SCSC) data will provide a mathematical and/or graphical approach to assist in the control of program costs. This thesis attempted to plot the percentage of time for a contract's completion …

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An Analysis Of Estimate At Completion Models Utilizing The Defense Acquisition Executive Summary Database, Mark F. Terry, Mary M. Vanderburgh Sep 1993

An Analysis Of Estimate At Completion Models Utilizing The Defense Acquisition Executive Summary Database, Mark F. Terry, Mary M. Vanderburgh

Theses and Dissertations

This study explores the widely held assertion that DOD contract Cost at Completion is bounded below by the Cost Performance Index-based Estimate at Completion (EAC) and above by the Schedule Cost Index-based EAC. Descriptive statistics determined the floor and ceiling for 321 DOD contracts. The results confirmed that the Cost Performance Index-based EAC is a reasonable floor and the Schedule Cost Index-based EAC is a reasonable ceiling for EAC formulas. For the contracts considered overall, on average, the Cost at Completion was not bounded by the floor and ceiling. The range of EAC formulas evaluated tended to slightly underestimate, the …

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Quantification Of Uncertainty In The Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Studies Process, Kurt C. Held, Perry J. Shepler Sep 1993

Quantification Of Uncertainty In The Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Studies Process, Kurt C. Held, Perry J. Shepler

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis developed a method to bound cost estimates with a prediction interval of costs for the Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Study (RI/FS) phase of the Installation Remediation Program (IRP) process. The prediction interval provides a reasonableness cross check for RI/FS project cost estimates. To develop the cost bounds, three major activities occurred. First, a database was developed from RI/FS projects managed by the Army Corps of Engineers. Second, a regression cost model was developed from the observations in the database. Third, a prediction interval specified at the 70 percent confidence level was derived from the cost model. This prediction interval provides …

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A Study Of The Development Of Planning, Programming And Budgeting System (Ppbs) In The United States Department Of Defense, Sakir S. Kantik Sep 1993

A Study Of The Development Of Planning, Programming And Budgeting System (Ppbs) In The United States Department Of Defense, Sakir S. Kantik

Theses and Dissertations

Having served as the United States Defense Department (DoD)'s primary resource allocation and decision-making process for more than 30 years, Planning-Programming-Budgeting System (PPBS) has kept going its evolution since it was first introduced in 1961. Accordingly, this study examined the development of PPBS in the U.S. DoD from its beginning to the recent past, that is to 1986, focusing on its basic purposes, how it has been modified and to assess the various expert observations made about the system. As originally conceived, the budget process was divided into three phases: Planning, Programming and Budgeting. The Planning phase was concerned with …

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Software Cost Estimating Models: A Comparative Study Of What The Models Estimate, George A. Coggins, Roy C. Russell Sep 1993

Software Cost Estimating Models: A Comparative Study Of What The Models Estimate, George A. Coggins, Roy C. Russell

Theses and Dissertations

This effort developed a consolidated document which highlights and examines differences in definitions, assumptions, and methodologies used by the REVIC, SASET, PRICES, and SEER-SEM cost models. The following research questions were investigated: (1) What differences exist between the cost models? (2) How do these differences impact the resulting estimates? (3) To what degree can we explain and adjust for known differences between the cost models? Seven specific areas were addressed: (1) software development phases, (2) development activities and cost elements, (3) source lines of code and language differences, (4) key model attributes and key cost drivers, (5) implications of Project …

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A Cost Model For Usaf Acquisition Of Commercial Aircraft For Service In The Special Air Mission Fleet, C. Grant Mcvicker Iii, Michael T. Roche Sep 1993

A Cost Model For Usaf Acquisition Of Commercial Aircraft For Service In The Special Air Mission Fleet, C. Grant Mcvicker Iii, Michael T. Roche

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research was to develop a cost estimating model which would allow cost estimators the ability to quickly and accurately estimate the acquisition of Air Force Special Air Mission fleet aircraft. The literature review revealed studies, government contracts, and trade publications which served as source data. This information was supplemented by interviews with acquisition specialists and contractors and incorporated into a database. Several estimating techniques were created and used to estimate the various cost elements. The Commercial Aircraft Integrated Cost Estimating Tool (CAICET) model was then developed to incorporate the estimating techniques with the database. This was …

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Empowerment: Dimensions And Strategies In The U.S Air Force, Karen M. Corrente, Adelaida Lopez Sep 1993

Empowerment: Dimensions And Strategies In The U.S Air Force, Karen M. Corrente, Adelaida Lopez

Theses and Dissertations

The goal of this research was to develop an instrument capable of measuring empowerment, and provide recommended general strategies on how to create an empowered organization. This goal was accomplished by developing a pilot questionnaire based on seven dimensions of empowerment discussed in Major Wayne G. Stone's unpublished article Empowerment: Keeping the Promise of the Total Quality Revolution. Each dimension of empowerment was subdivided into measurement parameters, with behavioral statements developed to describe these parameters. The pilot questionnaire was completed by 278 Air Force-related personnel with mainly acquisition-oriented backgrounds. Results indicated six factors of empowerment exist which were translated into …

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Cost Estimating Cases: Educational Tools For Cost Analysts, Kerrie G. Schieman, James R. Passaro Sep 1993

Cost Estimating Cases: Educational Tools For Cost Analysts, Kerrie G. Schieman, James R. Passaro

Theses and Dissertations

The goal of this research effort was to develop educational cases that would bridge the gap between the theory and principles of cost estimating currently taught in the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) Graduate Cost Analysis (GCA) curriculum and the real world of cost estimating in the acquisition arena. To achieve these goals, the following research objectives were investigated (1) Identify cost estimating skills that graduates of the AFIT GCA curriculum are expected to possess. (2) Assess the relative importance of the identified cost estimating skills. (3) Select weapon system scenarios that are relevant, interesting, and facilitate student performance …

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A Study Of The Establishment Of Cost And Schedule Variance Thresholds On Department Of Defense Major Program Contracts, Tuan A. Hoang, Steven M. Quick Sep 1993

A Study Of The Establishment Of Cost And Schedule Variance Thresholds On Department Of Defense Major Program Contracts, Tuan A. Hoang, Steven M. Quick

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis examined to what extent theoretical threshold models are used to establish cost and schedule variance thresholds on Department of Defense (DoD) major program contracts and identified how these thresholds are actually established. First, numerous theoretical methods for establishing variance threshold including the accounting approach, the statistical process control approach, and the Dyckman and Kaplan models were investigated and assessed. Interviews were then conducted with a sample of DoD and civilian defense contractor personnel who had first-hand knowledge of the establishment of cost and schedule variance thresholds. Findings indicated that none of these methods was being used. Repeatedly, interviewees …

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Cost/Schedule Control Systems Criteria: A Reference Guide To C/Scsc Information, Erik G. Cummings, Kirk A. Schneider Sep 1992

Cost/Schedule Control Systems Criteria: A Reference Guide To C/Scsc Information, Erik G. Cummings, Kirk A. Schneider

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis effort provides a valuable tool for contract performance measurement (CPM) analysts to use both while attending formalized Cost/Schedule Control Systems Criteria (C/SCSC) training, and while on the job. Research indicated a large amount of written material existed on contract performance measurement and the more specific topic of C/SCSC, yet this information was hidden in a wide array of unindexed professional journals, master's thesis, and texts. Further, while many professions have a reference guide of annotated bibliographies, CPM had none. Through an extensive literature review using several search and retrieval methods, the authors were able to amass a bibliography …

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An Analysis Of Contract Cost Overruns And Their Impacts, Brian D. Wilson Sep 1992

An Analysis Of Contract Cost Overruns And Their Impacts, Brian D. Wilson

Theses and Dissertations

This study examines the tendency of major program DoD contracts, once in an overrun status, to remain in that status and in many cases, further deteriorate. In these times of budgetary constraints, it is important that government program managers and other key decision makers understand the ramifications of contract overruns especially early in a program's life. The overruns on the A-12 program, for instance, could have possibly been predicted much earlier and the program cancellation avoided if only the program manager had understood the implications of significant cost overruns early in the life of the program.

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Life-Cycle Costs Of Alternative Icbm Second Stage Designs, Brian D. Joyce, Patrick E. Poppert Sep 1992

Life-Cycle Costs Of Alternative Icbm Second Stage Designs, Brian D. Joyce, Patrick E. Poppert

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was twofold. The primary objective of our research was to develop and report life-cycle cost estimates for new second stage ICBM booster designs to Phillips Laboratory. Our second objective (perhaps of equal or greater importance as the first), was to provide the users of these estimates with a taste of what exactly is involved in life-cycle costs, the cost estimating process, and factors that influence these items. Life-cycle cost estimates were requested to supplement separate engineering and research efforts of both Phillips Laboratory and graduate students at the School of Engineering, Air Force Institute of …

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A Feasibility Study On Consolidating Air Force Cost Reduction Programs, Joseph H. Donohoe, Mark A. Hobson Sep 1992

A Feasibility Study On Consolidating Air Force Cost Reduction Programs, Joseph H. Donohoe, Mark A. Hobson

Theses and Dissertations

This study investigated the possibility of consolidating available manufacturing cost savings programs into one concise effort with common ground rules and regulations. The current manufacturing cost savings program include the Industrial Modernization Incentive Program (IMIP), the Manufacturing Technology Program (MANTECH), and the Value Engineering Program (VE). A literature search revealed that there are problems associated with each of these cost savings programs. A case study was conducted on the B-2 System Program Office's effort to consolidate cost savings programs into one common effort. This case study revealed that there were positive benefits in reducing cost after consolidation. A survey of …

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The Davis-Bacon Act: Cost Impact On The Air Force, Raymond Carpenter Sep 1992

The Davis-Bacon Act: Cost Impact On The Air Force, Raymond Carpenter

Theses and Dissertations

This study was performed to determine what cost impact, if any, the Davis-Bacon Act has on the cost of Air Force construction contracts. The Davis- Bacon Act is a federal labor statute requiring the payment of pre-established wages to workers employed under Federally funded construction projects. The research found that contract award prices could be approximately 22% lower if the payment of these wages were not required. This estimate was made based on the results of a survey of bidders competing for award of construction contracts issued by bases within the former Strategic Air Command. Additional findings and survey response …

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