Cost Analysis and Estimating : Shifting U.S. Priorities

The environment for todays cost estimator and analyst is certainly very challenging. Computerization, software, robots, composites, uncertainty, and inte- grated systems all challenge the applicability of our existing tools and techniques. These Proceedings serve to document some of the completed and on-going re- search in the dynamic world of costing. This document is published in conjunction with the first Society of Cost Es- timating and Analysis (SCEA) National Conference, held in Boston, MA, June 19-21,1991. It serves to foster and promote cost research, and to provide a forum to report these findings in furtherance of public interest. This volume is the third of the series. The first and second were published in conjunction with the 1989 ICNNES Joint Conference in Washington, D.C., and the 1990 ICNNES Joint Conference in Los Angeles. My thanks to our Editors, Professor Jane Robbins and Dr. Roland Kankey; our Managing Editor, Mr. Frank Hett; the Program Chair, Ms. Ann-Marie Sweet; and all those who contributed. R. R. Crum, President Society of Cost Estimating and Analysis PREFACE We wish to thank the professionals who submitted papers to us for review. As any editor will indicate, you cannot review or publish papers that are not sub- mitted. The articles in this Proceedings successfully completed the referee process. Each of these authors was rewarded by an additional cycle of minor changes, word processing, and express mailings.