Heuristics for Systems Engineering Cost Estimation

Dr. Ricardo Valerdi of MIT sent me a pre-publication copy of his upcoming IEEE article. Here is the abstract:

“Engineering cannot wait until all phenomena are explained. Engineers may work effectively, often for centuries, with heuristics. This paper provides thirty one heuristics that have been inspired by the development and application of a systems engineering cost estimation model. The objective of this paper is to present such heuristics in a simple manner so that they can benefit systems engineering researchers and practitioners that develop, calibrate, and use cost models.”

I enjoyed the article (as I do with pretty much everything Ricardo produces).  Such simple truths. A few heuristics quoted from the paper follow:

“Don’t assume the original statement of the problem is necessarily the best, or even the right one.”

“Let the available data drive the application boundaries of the model.”

“Design the rating scale according to the phenomenon being modeled.”

The full article is available, as provided by Ricardo here: “Heuristics for Systems Engineering Cost Estimation.”

Related posts:

1. Estimating Systems Engineering…. The Upcoming Book.. and SEER I had the opportunity to review Dr. Ricardo Valerdi’s (MIT) upcoming book on the COSYSMO model for estimating systems engineering:...
2. CECIM: A Capability Improvement Model For Cost Engineering Being a major fan of repeatable process for cost and cost engineering, I cant help but admire the work of...
3. Make or Break: Why Accurate Cost Estimation Is Key A recent articlefrom executivebrief.com sent to me By Dr. Ricardo Valerdi of MIT discusses how the accuracy of the cost...
4. Cost Readiness Level (CRL) Establishing Cost Risk Based On Engineering Decisions I am working on a paper for NASA’s project manager conference.  In the course of this work I again reviewed...
5. SEER Does Systems of Systems (SOS) Estimating SEER-SEM works hand in hand with SEER for Hardware, Electronics * Systems (SEER-H)  to estimate systems and systems of system...

Comments

2 Responses to “Heuristics for Systems Engineering Cost Estimation”

1. Project Management Tools That Work (Bruce) on August 18th, 2010 8:22 pm

   Which IEEE publication will it be in? Spectrum?

2. galorath on August 18th, 2010 8:49 pm

   IEEE Systems journal. I have now posted a link to the article in the BLOG as well.

Leave a Reply

Name (required)

Email Address(required)

Website

• Subscribe to this Blog

  Enter your email address:

• Twitter

  Follow Dan Galorath on Twitter.

• Galorath Library

  Galorath maintains a rich library of webinars, presentations, whitepapers, and demos. Register to read our entire library.

• Recent Posts

  • Galorath / Reifer Team To Provide Large Project Success Via Risk Assessments
  • The 6 Characteristics of Effective Metrics
  • FPGA Sticker Shock
  • 2012 Defense Strategic Guidance Summary
  • Cost Readiness Level (CRL) Establishing Cost Risk Based On Engineering Decisions
  • APMP Cost Task Force Industry / Government Questions & Responses
  • New SEER Labor Rate Calculator: A Leap Forward in “Should Cost” & “Will Cost”
  • Frank Vogelezang Pricing Vs Costing & Proof That IT Systems Can Be Estimated
  • APMP Cost Taskforce November 2011: Helping Calm the Storm of Budget Cuts Via Cost Analysis
  • CMMI and SEER Applicability: Estimation, Planning & Control Processes and SEER Integration

• Categories

  • APMP
  • business value
  • CEO
  • Conferences
  • Cost Estimating
  • costiq
  • Design for Manufacturing Estimating
  • earned value
  • Estimating
  • Estimation Process
  • General
  • Hardware Electronics Systems Estimating
  • IC Estimating
  • IT Estimating
  • Lists
  • measurement
  • Presentations
  • Project Management
  • Risk
  • Software Estimating
  • Software Sizing
  • Systems Estimating
  • Systems of Systems Estimating
  • Ten Step Project Estimation Process
  • Thoughts

• Recent Comments

  • Real Estate Agent on Evaluating the Benefits of Service Oriented Architecture: SEER in support of SOA Implementation Decisions
  • Henry H on Software Project Failure Costs Billions.. Better Estimation & Planning Can Help
  • Dean on Packaged Applications – The Hidden Cost of Snake Oil
  • Lee Fischman on FPGA Sticker Shock
  • Implementing ERP more effectively – Part 3 « The Manticore blog on Software Project Failure Costs Billions.. Better Estimation & Planning Can Help

• Galorath Company

  • Galorath International
  • Galorath.com

• SEER sites

  • SEER for Hardware, Electronics & Systems Project Management
  • SEER for IT – IT Project Cost Estimation
  • SEER for Manufacturing – Project Estimation
  • SEER for Software – Software Estimation

• Project Prediction Infographic

  > click to view <

• Meta

  • Log in
  • Entries RSS
  • Comments RSS
  • WordPress.org