2023 All-Member Virtual Meeting
2023-09-20 12:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York)
Every year, ICEAA holds a meeting to give our members an update on the state of the association, provide a forecast of initiatives for the coming years, and field the membership’s questions and concerns. The 2023 All-Member Virtual Meeting will take place at 12 noon (Eastern) on Wednesday, September 20, 2023.
RSVP at https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEkcumrqjsjHNQb9G4qFmcwDbTt-Suh9RZ4

ICEAA All Member Meeting

If you have questions or topics you’d like discussed during the All Member Meeting, please send them to us here, or by emailing iceaa@iceaaonline.org:If you would like a direct response to your question, please provide your email address:

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The Future of Software Cost Estimating Panel Discussion
2023-09-21 09:00 - 10:30 (America/New_York)
Are you curious about what the future holds for IT Cost Estimation? What business needs will emerge in relation to IT and Software cost estimation? Could artificial intelligence potentially replace the Software Cost Estimator? How will estimation tools for IT and Software evolve? And what about the demand for professional software cost estimation education and certification?
These questions and more will be explored in a panel discussion organized by the ICEAA Software SIG, featuring insights from three esteemed international experts: Arlene Minkiewicz (Unison), Sanathanan Rajagopal (Sirius Analysis Limited), and Frank Vogelezang (IDC Metri).
This insightful online panel discussion will be hosted by ICEAA and chaired by Eric van der Vliet (ICEAA SW SIG) and Bob Hunt (ICEAA SW SIG).
Join us for this free event on September 21, from 15:00 to 16:00 CET (09.00 – 10.00 EST).
RSVP online at https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUpd-uhpzkvHtNQp0upGczON-xrj4mzEJFR
Don’t miss out on this opportunity to gain valuable insights into the future of IT Cost Estimation!

Project Controls Expo USA
2023-09-25 - 2023-09-27 | Nationals Park, DC, United States
2023 Project Controls Expo USA
September 25-27, 2023
National’s Park, Washington DC
https://projectcontrolexpo.com/usa/register
Reasons for attending:

We are all about project controls – one stop destination for addressing all your project needs.
Discover real-world solutions to real-world problems in the Case Study Zone.
Explore the most recent leading-edge technologies, tools & services in the Innovation Zone, an incubator for new project controls’ ideas.
Gain insight into the management of $/£1 billion+ projects in the Megaprojects Zone.
Deep-dive discussions on the latest areas of project controls in the Workshop Zone.
Find the latest technologies and innovations in the Start-up Zone Washington, DC – USA.
Find all major project controls professional bodies under one roof, to help you decide what is best for you.
An exclusive Activity Day which will include Batting Practice and Ball Park Tour at the National’s Park.

WCA Chapter Virtual Luncheon: Interesting Results from EVAMOSC or “Wow There is a Lot of O&S Data”
2023-09-27 12:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York)
Interesting Results from EVAMOSC or “Wow There is a Lot of O&S Data”
September 27th | 12:00 to 1:00pm eastern
EVAMOSC is an new OSD-CAPE developed database which ingests and normalizes Operations & Sustainment (O&S) data on over a thousand weapon systems for the DoD. In this presentation, the EVAMOSC team will review interesting results it has found related to O&S data using the hundreds of millions of data points it has ingested and normalized. Pareto rule? Try hyper-Pareto rule! How did COVID impact vehicle maintenance? Not how you would have expected. Are field units experiencing inflation/escalation? All this and more.

Daniel Germony
Daniel Germony is an Operations Research Analyst with 14 years of experience working in the Department of Defense (DoD). Currently, Mr. Germony works in the Office of Secretary of Defense (OSD) – Cost Assessment Program Evaluation (CAPE) Office as the lead for Operations & Support (O&S) data transformation in support of CAPE’s Enterprise Visibility and Management of Operating and Support Costs (EVAMOSC) system. Mr. Germony is CCEA certified and is the president of the Washington Capital area Chapter of ICEAA.
Event Details:

This event is free for both ICEAA member and prospective members
This briefing was originally presented at the 2023 Professional Development & Training Workshop

Presentation Slides
IT01 – Germony – Interesting Results from EVAMOSC

Microsoft Teams Link
Click here to join.

WCAC Chapter FY23 Year-End Calibration
2023-09-28 17:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York)
ICEAA’s Washington Capital Area Chapter will provide catering and is renting out the Bowling Area on the 2nd Floor from 5:00pm to 7:00pm, complete with 4 bowling lanes and a lounge area, where an assortment of delicious appetizers will be served. Punch Bowl Social also offers Ping Pong, Darts, Corn Hole, Bocce, Yard Games, Board Games, Giant Jenga, and Billiards in the other levels of the bar. Lots of fun ways to network with fellow cost professionals!
For more info on Punch Bowl, check out this link: https://punchbowlsocial.com/location/arlington/
Please RSVP on or before September 19 at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScgrYX6lNNKq8K1c5ohjdZ82lz-RQWV5ot7eF3oBXaO_nE_AQ/viewform?usp=sf_link
or email ProgramChair@washingtoniceaa.com

Date: September 28th, 2023
Time: 5:00pm – 8:00pm (bowling and catered food till 7:00pm)
Address:
Punch Bowl Social
4238 Wilson Blvd.
Suite 1180 Arlington, VA 22203

SoCal Chapter Workshop
2023-10-17 08:00 - 16:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
Please join us for our upcoming SoCal Chapter all-day, in-person workshop on 17 Oct! Galorath Incorporated will be hosting this free event at Boeing in Long Beach. The Board has been hard at work to make this a great day of learning, discussions, and tours!
Who: ICEAA SoCal Chapter
What: Free all-day, in-person workshop
When: 17 Oct, 0800 – 1630
Where: Boeing Building 800, 4000 N Lakewood Blvd, Long Beach, CA 90808
RSVP: https://www.iceaaonline.com/chapters/socal/
We’ll be starting with morning refreshments after registration. The first presentation will be from our keynote speaker, Karen McRitchie, on ‘Best in Class Costing Systems’ before jumping into a special presentation from Romania High School’s International Space Development Conference (ISDC) team. The team won second place in the National Space Society-run competition in May 2023 for their design of a permanent space settlement.
Lunch will be provided to all attendees before a trip to Long Beach Airport’s Art-Deco Historic Terminal, where we will get a tour of “one of the ten most beautiful airports in the world” (BBC, 2014). The terminal is full of art-deco murals and mosaic floors, one of which was just uncovered this year after renovations (picture below). Please note, closed-toe shoes are required for the tour.
Upon returning to the Boeing facility, we will hear from Conner Lawston, who will be briefing ‘Generative AI for Government.’ Then we’ll break out into small groups for discussions on topics like ‘Finding Usable Cost Data,’ ‘How and When to Utilize AI in Cost Estimating,’ and ‘Digital Engineering.’ Our final wrap-up for the day will include door prize giveaways!

CEBoK-S Training in Delft, the Netherlands
2023-10-24 - 2023-10-26 | Hotel Delft A4, Peuldreef 3, Den Hoorn, 2635 BX, Netherlands
Are you passionate about mastering the art of software cost estimation? Look no further, as we present to you an opportunity to enhance your skills and gain valuable insights from international experts. Join us for the CEBOK-S Training on October 24 – 26 in Delft in the Netherlands. A live training session conducted by the Software SIG of the International Cost Estimating and Analysis Association (ICEAA) in collaboration with Nesma. The training has a package price of €1850,- (excl. VAT) what includes two and a half day of training, CEBOK-S materials as well as the Software Cost Estimation Certification (SCEC) exam. Further are lunches and refreshments included in the fee to provide you a complete experience.
If you decide to only follow the training and order the exam later, you will pay €1550,- (excl. VAT) and you can request the exam in a later stage at ICEAA.
Why you shouldn’t miss this training experience?
The International Standard CEBOK-S
CEBOK-S (Cost Estimation Body of Knowledge for Software) is a globally recognized framework established by ICEAA. This standard serves as a benchmark for excellence in software cost estimation, enabling Software and IT organizations to make informed decisions, manage resources effectively, and optimize project outcomes. For more information look at www.nesma.org/cebok-s.
Learn from the International Experts
Our training sessions are led by professionals who have extensive knowledge and experience in the field of software cost estimation and where involved in the creation of the CEBOK-S. These experts will guide you through the details of the CEBOK-S and provide practical insights and real-world examples to deepen your understanding.
ICEAA-SW community
ICEAA has joined forces with Nesma to create a unique platform, the ICEAA-SW SIG (Special Interest Group), dedicated to deliver high-quality training and create a community for software estimation enthusiasts. By attending this training, you become part of this community of professionals passionate about software cost estimation.
Training Package
The training fee covers a package that ensures a complete learning experience. Alongside the training sessions, you will receive a CEBOK-S materials with a personal license, enabling you to apply your new learned expertise effectively. Additionally, the package includes (optional) the SCEC exam that will be performed on the 3rd day of the training and a one year ICEAA membership. Lunch, as well as refreshments during the training sessions are included, ensuring you remain energized throughout.

Washington Capital Area Chapter Virtual Luncheon
2023-10-30 12:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York)
ICEAA WCAC October 2023 Virtual Luncheon: Ticking Time Bomb of Telework – Communication and Time Management
October 30th | 12:00 to 1:00pm eastern
Today’s evolving work environment has demonstrated the importance of emphasizing soft skills in the workplace. Employers must seek candidates with high interpersonal abilities in conjunction with technical expertise. Hard skills often dominate in job-related training, while critical foundations like the ability to communicate and manage workload effectively are often overlooked. This presentation will focus on expanding a person’s marketability by discussing techniques to open these communication pipelines and increase productivity despite an ever-growing workload.
This briefing was originally presented at the 2023 Professional Development & Training Workshop.
Jennifer Aguirre
Jennifer Aguirre is a task lead and senior cost analyst for Quantech Services with 5.5 years of DoD cost analysis experience supporting a variety of Agile DevOps / information system programs within the Air Force. She has also acted as a lead trainer and mentor for the Quantech Junior Analyst Training program for the past 4.5 years. Jennifer has a Bachelor of Business Administration in Economics from the University of Georgia.
Shannon Cardoza
Shannon Cardoza is a cost analyst for Quantech Services supporting ground-based radars and space systems within the Space Force. She has 3.5 years of DoD cost and data analysis experience with an emphasis on agile software development and hardware systems sustainment in addition to acting as a training lead on a variety of technical and non-technical topics. She has a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from California Polytechnic State University – San Luis Obispo.
Annie Bagay
Annie Bagay is a senior cost analyst for Quantech Services with 6.5 years of DoD cost analysis experience currently supporting ground-based radars and space systems within the Space Force. She also works as the Training Program Coordinator for the Quantech Junior Analyst Training that provides new analysts with core technical and soft skills to be successful in the cost world. She has a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from the University of the South.
Microsoft Teams Link
Click here to join.
Or call in (audio only)
+1 253-336-6031,,49709071#
Phone Conference ID: 497 090 71#

Washington Capital Area Chapter Virtual Luncheon: Shortfall Analysis – Creative Approaches to Problem Quantification and Monetization
2023-11-13 12:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York)
Please join us for another Washington Capital Area Chapter (WCAC) ICEAA Virtual Luncheon Presentation on Monday, November 13. This topic was first presented at the 2023 ICEAA Workshop in San Antonio.
Title: Shortfall Analysis – Creative Approaches to Problem Quantification and Monetization
Abstract:
Government acquisitions start with problem identification as a means of solving public sector problems or “shortfalls” and inefficiencies with technical hardware and software solutions. To justify government business cases, analysts are tasked to (1) define the problem, (2) identify impacted stakeholders, and (3) creatively quantify and monetize impacts to operations and services. Using a proven approach, the team demonstrates how to effectively perform shortfall analyses and monetize the largest underlying value to justify business cases.
Speakers:
George Bayer, a Senior Director at Cobec Consulting, manages cost/benefit, supply chain, and investment analyses for major capital investments at the FAA. Prior to the FAA, he led economic analyses and DCF valuations for Power Generation at BP and ConocoPhillips and financial management at Disney. Mr. Bayer has a PMP certification, a BSBA in Finance and English from the University of Florida, and an MBA from the University of Texas at Austin in Corporate and Energy Finance.
Brian Carroll, an Associate Consultant at Cobec Consulting, conducts cost/benefit analyses for major FAA capital investments. For recent FAA acquisitions, he developed innovative quantitative analyses, value stream process mapping to realize process improvements, and stakeholder benefit quantification. He is also a major contributor to the agency’s supply chain integration projects and data-driven decision-making strategic objectives. He has a BA in Mathematics from Kean University.
Microsoft Teams meeting:
Click here to join the meeting
Meeting ID: 212 418 286 130
Passcode: [REDACTED]
Or call in (audio only)
+1 253-336-6031,,783538708#
Phone Conference ID: 783 538 708#

OEM COG Webinar: Impacts of Digital Engineering to the Cost Estimate
2023-11-14 12:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York)
Join the ICEAA OEM COG for the virtual presentation, Impacts of Digital Engineering to the Cost Estimate Tuesday, November 14 at 12 noon (eastern):
Defense programs across the services are implementing digital engineering throughout the acquisition lifecycle to develop, manufacture, and sustain their platforms. How should cost estimators account for these new practices? This presentation will focus on the impact of implementing DE to the cost estimate. Based on literature reviews, discussions with SMEs, and review of policy, we will propose investments and cost uncertainties for the estimator to consider throughout the lifecycle of a platform.
Speaker: Brittany Clayton is an Operations Researcher at the RAND Corporation. Her professional interests include lifecycle cost estimating and analysis, sensitivity and uncertainty analysis, and acquisition policy research for defense programs. Brittany joined RAND in 2018 after a decade of civil service with the Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA). Brittany holds an M.S. in Operations Research from George Mason University and a B.A. with majors in Mathematics and Spanish from Washington & Jefferson College.

WCA Chapter Virtual Luncheon: Measure It, and They Will Come...
2023-12-05 12:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York)
Washington Capital Area Chapter December Virtual Luncheon:
Measure It, and They Will Come: Keys to Developing a Successful Software Measuring Program
PRESENTED BY: Dan French and Carol Dekkers
TIME: Tuesday, December 5th | 12:00 to 1:00pm eastern
LOCATION:
MS Teams
Click here to join the meeting
Meeting ID: 220 765 703 728
Passcode: [REDACTED]
Or call in (audio only)
+1 253-336-6031,,269951476#
Phone Conference ID: 269 951 476#

SUMMARY:
Despite the pervasiveness of software development in all areas of industry today, few organizations develop and implement effective software measurement programs to manage their software development projects and leverage information necessary to make business decisions. This presentation discusses reasons why this is, addresses myths and misconceptions regarding software metrics programs, and how to develop an effective program, as well as which software metrics to develop to provide the greatest value.
This briefing was originally presented at the ICEAA Professional Development & Training Workshop.
SPEAKER BIOS:
Dan French has 20 of experience in a variety of IT roles including analyst, developer, tester, project management, software metrics and software estimation. He has developed CMMi and ISO compliant process improvement and software estimation processes. Dan holds a B.S. in Economics from Virginia Tech and holds certification as a Lifetime CFPS, PMP and CSM. He recently served as the Certification Director on the IPFUG Board of Directors and is currently the chair. Previously he served as the Chair of the Functional Software Sizing Committee (FSSC). He’s authored numerous white papers/presentations on software metrics, Agile, and estimation.
Carol Dekkers is a management consultant and president of Quality Plus Technologies, specializing in workings with organizations who want to keep their promises to their clients through realistic, data-founded estimates. In 2022, she was named the ICEAA 2022 Educator of the Year for her work as the lead author for the Software Cost Estimating Body of Knowledge (CEBoK-S). In 2023, Ms. Dekkers was elected to the ICEAA board of directors. She holds a BSc in Mechanical Engineering and is an IFPUG Certified Function Point Specialist (Fellow), a PMP, Certified Scrum Master and a P.Eng. (Canada). Ms. Dekkers has authored several textbooks on functional size measurement (function Points) and project management and is a frequent presenter and instructor on these topics internationally. She currently consults under contract to several U.S. federal government agencies and to the private sector. In Feb 2023, Ms. Dekkers was named one of Consulting Magazine’s 2023 Global Leaders in Consulting for her leadership in pro bono for her contributions to the IFPUG, ASQ, PMI, and the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).

Ferryfield Group Presents: Road-mapping to Project Risk Modelling Maturity: Integrating Cost and Schedule Risk Analysis
2024-01-18 12:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York)
The Ferryfield Group presents:
Road-mapping to Project Risk Modelling Maturity:
Integrating Cost and Schedule Risk Analysis
Doug Oldfield
January 18, 2024 | 12:00-1:00pm (east)
Project risk analysis often involves silos of cost estimators, planners, and risk managers producing independent forecasts for cost uncertainty, duration uncertainty, and risk exposure. However, recommended best practice on large projects is an integrated cost & schedule risk analysis model, which many organisations struggle to implement.
This hands-on presentation will begin by exploring the techniques – and challenges – involved in building quantitative project risk models from the perspective of cost and schedule separately. We’ll then look at how we can bring the two disciplines together in a holistic model, by using a shared risk register, and by linking costs to activities in a schedule. Finally, we will see the results of the analysis, and explore how organisations can leverage these insights to better achieve project objectives.
Speaker: Doug Oldfield
Doug Oldfield has been working in the field of quantitative risk analysis (QRA) for more than 15 years. He has a huge amount of experience of tools & techniques for modelling risk, across a wide range of industries and applications. He is a passionate, engaging, and energetic advocate of the importance of probabilistic risk analysis, and estimates he’s delivered more than 1,600 presentations on the topic to audiences worldwide. He previously worked for Palisade, who were the makers of the @RISK software, and is currently a Director of The Ferryfield Group, who provide specialized services in the field of project risk analysis, including training, consulting, and software advisory / sales / distribution.
RSVP online: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0kduqvrz4jH929eUPy06adTu1_RZFIejD_

WCA Chapter Virtual Luncheon: Using Bayes’ Theorem to Develop CERs – Extending the Gaussian Model
2024-02-27 12:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York)
SUBJECT: WCAC ICEAA February Luncheon: Using Bayes’ Theorem to Develop CERs – Extending the Gaussian Model
PRESENTED BY: Christian Smart and David Jo
TIME: Tuesday, February 27, 2024 | 12:00 to 1:00pm eastern
LOCATION:
MS Teams
Click here to join the meeting
Meeting ID: 219 641 187 326
Passcode: [REDACTED]
Or call in (audio only)
+1 253-336-6031,,820161090#
Phone Conference ID: 820 161 090#
SUMMARY:
Bayes’ Theorem is a mathematical method to combine prior experience with new data and is extremely important in leveraging limited information, which is often the case in cost estimating. This paper is an extension of a previous ICEAA paper that dealt with the application of Bayes’ Theorem to cost estimating. In this update we show how the Bayesian approach for linear models can be extended for different, more realistic assumptions. This briefing was originally presented at the ICEAA Professional Development & Training Workshop.
Speakers:
Christian Smart
David Jo
Speaker Bios:

Dr. Smart has a Ph.D. in Applied Mathematics, with more than 20 years of experience with the application of predictive analytics, machine learning, and risk management to defense and aerospace programs. Solving for Project Risk Management: Understanding the Critical Role of Uncertainty in Project Management is his first book. Dr. Smart is a Certified Cost Estimator/Analyst, the 2009 recipient of the ISPA Parametrician of the Year Award, the 2021 Frank Frieman Lifetime Achievement Award, and has presented at numerous ISPA, SCEA, and ICEAA conferences. He is currently employed by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory as a Senior Programmatic Risk Analyst.
David Jo is a PCEA certified cost analyst with a Bachelor Degree in Risk Management from The Penn State University. He has worked as a Database Administrator (DBA) for Wheeled and Tracked Vehicles (WTV) and is currently supporting Tactical Tomahawks (TACTOM) program. Mr. Jo is working to become a proficient data scientist able to use multiple programming languages. Outside of work, Mr. Jo enjoys watching football and playing golf.

More information can be found at the WCAC ICEAA website:
https://washingtoniceaa.com/event/wcac-iceaa-february-luncheon-using-bayes-theorem-to-develop-cers-extending-the-gaussian-model

OEM COG: How to Better Estimate and Forecast Production Costs
2024-03-07 12:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York)
How to Better Estimate and Forecast Production Costs:
Use Your Own Data to produce data driven defensible estimates
For the answers to these questions and more, join us for a live discussion. We will take a look at some of the biggest challenges that teams face in creating cost estimates and forecasts, as well as best practices in a production environment.

Overcoming the data challenges that hold back estimating teams
Applying the proper learning curve to the right situations to win more bids
Applying the best practices that deliver consistently higher profitability

The speakers are Fred Beck, Space Systems BD Director (Booz Allen Hamilton), Sandy Burney, Cost Strategist (Northrop Grumman), and Tom Shanahan, President and CEO (ProjStream). Collectively, we bring many years of cost estimating leadership and project management to the discussion.
In theory, estimating costs is easy, provided all the data is present. However, many OEMs that we engage with express that, in a production environment, gathering data and using it to make solid data-driven estimates is complex and a significant source of risk in practice. Challenges arise in estimating and forecasting quantities or units of production and labor.
We will reveal the best practices that position your engineers, technical SMEs, and solution architects to achieve better estimate outcomes. Register to join us for the event. Mark your calendar and bring your cost-estimating questions to share in the Q&A session.
Speakers:
Fred Beck
Space Systems BD Director
Booz Allen Hamilton
Fred is a Strategic Director who brings over 35 years of detailed experience developing strategic cost estimates for DoD, IC, and Commercial customers. He has developed complex solutions and associated cost models for mission-critical systems for Launch, Ground, SATCOM, Missile Defense, Space Domain Awareness, and other Space missions for a broad set of commercial and Government customers. During his career, Fred has created and managed high-performance teams, excelling in all phases of the program lifecycle, from early business development through contract completion, while specializing in the development and capture of new business.
Sandy Burney
Cost Strategist
Northrop Grumman
Sandy provides cost and capture strategy consulting for Northrop Grumman. In his 30+ year career, Sandy has provided cost-estimating analyses as a Government, SETA, and OEM employee. Across these three types of employers, Sandy has performed forecasting, cost estimation, and modeling within specific cost groups, system engineering, capture, and pricing organizations. In the past, Sandy was the lead cost estimator on several production programs and developed cost models utilizing a combination of learning curve and historical data cost estimating relationships involving strategy, solutioning, and cost estimation.
Tom Shanahan
President and CEO
ProjStream
Mr. Shanahan is the founder of ProjStream with over 20 years of experience in cost estimating, project management and EVM, bid and proposal development, and strategy and software application development. One of Tom’s main focus points has been working with contractors to improve cost estimates by leveraging existing data in a meaningful way.

WCA Chapter 2024 Spring Social
2024-03-07 17:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Cobec Consulting, Inc., 500 L'Enfant Plaza SW, STE 1100, Washington, 20024, United States
Please join the WCAC of ICEAA for the:
2024 Spring Social
Thursday, March 7th | 5:00 – 8:00 PM ET
Hosted By:
Cobec Consulting, Inc.
500 L’Enfant Plaza SW STE 1100, Washington, DC 20024
Please join the Washington Capital Area Chapter (WCAC) of ICEAA for our 2024 Spring Social!
Celebrate the beginning of the March Equinox with colleagues and friends among the Washington Capital Area cost community, enjoying more daylight and budding cherry blossoms along the DC Tidal Basin!
Cobec Consulting, Inc. will be hosting our Spring Social at their L’Enfant Plaza office, complete with an assortment of beverages and hors d’oeuvres! In addition to an ample selection of food/drinks, a patio venue will be made available with a stunning view of the National Mall and famous Washington DC landmarks (weather permitting).
We highly encourage all chapter members to come out and join the fun, especially newer members who are looking to get more involved with the WCAC of ICEAA community! Don’t wait, RSVP here or via the link below!
Event Details:
What: WCAC of ICEAA 2024 Spring Social
When: Thursday, March 7th | 5:00 – 8:00 PM ET
Where: Cobec Consulting, Inc. | 500 L’Enfant Plaza SW STE 1100, Washington, DC 20024
RSVP:
PLEASE RSVP NO LATER THAN FRIDAY, MARCH 1st 2024
CLICK HERE TO RSVP
For any questions/concerns related to this event, please send an email to the WCAC Social/Service Chair, Cameron Bennage (cbennage@tecolote.com)
Event Access:
Metro: L’Enfant Plaza stop, D & 9th Street exit, enter the food court plaza and walk straight through to the rear near the double glass doors. Trip Planner | WMATA
VRE: L’Enfant Plaza stop, head South and West to the D & 9th Street Metro exit, enter the food court plaza and walk straight through to the rear near the double glass doors. VRE Schedules
Rideshare: Enter the address of the International Spy Museum. Upon arrival, walk toward the Hilton and to the large glass building in the back-right corner.
Ace Parking: 840 D Street SW, Washington DC 20024. 2+ hour parking is priced at $23.

SoCal Chapter In-Person Workshop
2024-03-21 08:00 - 16:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
Please join the SoCal Board for our spring workshop on 21 Mar! This will be a FREE, all-day (8:00-4:00), in-person event, hosted by L3Harris-Rocketdyne in Canoga Park, CA. Snacks will be provided in the morning and afternoon, and there are several restaurants nearby for lunch. We’ve got an incredible list of speakers lined up, including:

Rocketdyne Vice President – keynote speaker
Kevin Terry – presenting “The Estimator’s Guide to a Parametric Universe”
Irina Litchfield – Entrepreneur in FinTech, SpaceFund advisor, and speaker with over 100 international appearances
Renee Marchiano – Edwards AFB Flight Test Museum curator presenting “Tiki Torch: How to Obtain Historical Cost Data from Museums and Libraries”
Madhu Thangavelu – USC Engineering/Architecture professor and expert in the design of complex space projects, including space stations and exploratory missions

We will also take a group tour of the L3Harris-Rocketdyne manufacturing campus, where they house an additives laboratory and produce space vehicles. (Note: closed-toe shoes are required for this tour.)
Registration is live at https://www.iceaaonline.com/socal/. RSVPs must be received NLT 19 Mar to allow time for processing facility visitor badges.
For those in the South Bay, Charley Merritt will be coordinating carpools from the El Segundo area. If you would like to be included in carpooling to the event, email her at charlotte.merritt.2.ctr@spaceforce.mil by 15 Mar, and include whether you would like a ride or are willing to drive (drivers, please include how many seats are available in your car).
This is going to be a fantastic day of learning and seeing how the US is going to remain superior in space in the years to come. Sign up today for this great opportunity!

See you in 3 weeks!
ICEAA SoCal Board

WCA Chapter March Luncheon - Trouble With the Curve: Engineering Changes and Manufacturing Learning Curves
2024-03-25 12:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York)
SUBJECT: WCAC ICEAA March Luncheon: Trouble With the Curve: Engineering Changes and Manufacturing Learning Curves
PRESENTED BY: Brent Johnstone
TIME: Monday, March 25, 2024 | 12:00 to 1:00pm eastern
LOCATION: MS Teams

Click here to join the meeting
Meeting ID: 259 439 303 860
Passcode: [REDACTED]
Or call in (audio only)
+1 253-336-6031,,262274298#
Phone Conference ID: 262 274 298#
SUMMARY:
Engineering changes pose a dilemma for estimators: If learning curves assume cost improvement due to repetitive build, what happens when that repetition is interrupted by a change of task? Design changes are common occurrences, but rarely addressed in learning curve literature. This paper addresses how to analyze an engineering change by breaking it into its pieces and outlines techniques to calculate the reversionary impact on the learning curve to derive the estimated cost of change.
This briefing was originally presented at the ICEAA Professional Development & Training Workshop.
Speaker:
Brent Johnstone
Speaker Bio:
Brent Johnstone is a Lockheed Martin Fellow and production air vehicle cost estimator at Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company in Fort Worth, Texas. He has 36 years’ experience in the military aircraft industry, including 33 years as a cost estimator. He has worked on the F-16 program and has been most recently the lead Production Operations cost estimator for the F-35 program. He has a Master of Science from Texas A&M University and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Texas at Austin.

PerfectXL Presents: Effectively Standardize Model Audits for Cost Estimation Spreadsheets
2024-03-26 12:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York)
PerfectXL Presents:

Effectively Standardize Model Audits for Cost Estimation Spreadsheets
Tuesday, March 26, 2024
12:00-1:00pm (EST) | 5:00-6:00 (GMT)
The dreaded model audit is a time sink like no other. Cell by cell reviews, trying to understand exactly what a certain reference is accomplishing, or sifting through unnecessary data to sense check the quality of models can be quite the task. What would this process look like if it was standardized? What if tools did more than half the work for you? If you could report your findings clearly and communicate these with colleagues or clients? If material checks for things like errors, iffy references, hardcodes, and more were done automatically it would free you up to look at the things that really matter. That is what PerfectXL makes possible, join the demo to find out how!
Presented by Joel Steendam
Joel has been working in the spreadsheet risk space for 6 years, between consulting, training, and onboarding new clients he loves to give presentations on this topic at various events and seminars. With a multicultural background growing up in China, studying in the US, and living and working in the Netherlands he focusses on building culture when it comes to working with spreadsheets as well. Encouraging users all over the world to apply best practices in tangible, results driven ways, eliminating spreadsheet risks and encouraging users to get the most out of Excel.
RSVP online at: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIqdOqorzoiE9yxbUNcOi95zC0XegQv6_oG

WCA Chapter April Virtual Luncheon: Software Estimation Using Functional Size Derived from User Stories
2024-04-23 12:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York)

Greater Alabama Chapter Virtual Luncheon: Innovative Risk-Driven Contract Pricing Strategy
2024-04-24 12:30 - 13:30 (America/New_York)
The ICEAA Greater Alabama Chapter presents:
Innovative Risk-Driven Contract Pricing Strategy
Brian Flynn
April 24, 2024 | 12:30-1:30pm (east)
This webinar presents a framework or scoring matrix that quantifies contract risk using a numerical evaluation of the many factors that make or break a program, such as: experience of the contractor, stretch in technology, solidity of requirements, and degree of competitive procurement. The framework, in turn, is made operational by leveraging benchmarks from over 60 U.S. contracts, enabling data-driven selection of contract type, incentives, and share lines for use in evaluating future contract prices.
Speaker: Brian Flynn
Brian Flynn supports national security efforts at Technomics’ Arlington, Virginia, headquarters. He has a deep understanding of and strong working relationships with many of the cost and operations research organizations in the U.S. DoD and the NATO Alliance. His areas of expertise include capability portfolio analysis and AoAs, weapon system and software cost estimating – including the cloud, EVM, econometric modeling, and corporate financial health. Dr. Flynn has undying pride in his service as a Marine.
RSVP online: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZclfu2hqj0jHdd4Pr0qLTHRxfc6d08ZuQiJ

Unison Presents: Defendable Software Estimates with NLP & Cost Engineering
2024-04-30 12:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York)

Projstream Presents: A Winning Framework: Enhanced Profitability and Win Rates through ProjStream's Innovative Cost Estimation Solutions and Best Practices for Government Contractors
2024-05-01 12:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York)
Projstream Presents:
A Winning Framework: Enhanced Profitability and Win Rates through ProjStream’s Innovative Cost Estimation Solutions and Best Practices for Government Contractors
Wednesday, May 1, 2024 | 12:00pm (EST)
Description:
Government contractors face significant challenges in cost estimation, impacting profitability and win rates. Join us for our upcoming webinar as we explore these challenges and unveil ProjStream’s innovative solutions designed to drive success in government contracting.
Root Cause:
Poor cost estimation in government contracting often stems from non-centralized systems like Excel, fragmented data, and project complexity. These issues lead to errors and a lack of historical data access, hindering accurate estimation.
Consequences to Business and Staff:
Poor estimation results in financial losses, reputational damage, and staff stress, hindering growth and innovation.
ProjStream Solutions:
ProjStream’s tools centralize data, leverage advanced algorithms, and promote collaboration, empowering accurate estimates. With intuitive interfaces and customizable features, our tools simplify the process and enable data-driven decision-making, driving success.
Integrating Best Practices with Technology Framework:
At ProjStream, we understand that success in government contracting requires more than just technology – it requires a strategic approach that integrates best practices with a robust technology framework. Our webinar will focus on how ProjStream’s solutions combine industry-leading best practices with cutting-edge technology to enable better outcomes, including improved win rates and profitability.
Key Features:
Discover seamless SOW-WBS integration, data-driven estimates, version control, BOE reporting, and comprehensive cost analysis with ProjStream’s tools. Join our live demo to see how ProjStream integrates into workflows, empowering contractors in government contracting.
Don’t miss out on this opportunity to enhance your cost estimation process and drive success in government contracting. Register now for our webinar and unlock the potential of ProjStream’s innovative solutions and best practices.
RSVP online at: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIscuGsqj4uH9QGGdSBP9us2M-cI6e8aew1

Galorath AI: Exclusive Pre-Launch Event
2024-05-02 12:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York)
Galorath Presents:

Galorath AI: Exclusive Pre-Launch Event
Tuesday, May 2, 2024 | 12:00pm (EST)
Join us for a special prelaunch event of Galorath AI, hosted by Charles Orlando, Galorath’s VP of Global Marketing. Discover how Galorath is revolutionizing cost estimation in manufacturing, software, and hardware, as well as in the space and military sectors, through the use of artificial intelligence, machine learning, prompt engineering, and large language models
Presented by Charles Orlando
Charles is an accomplished, innovative technology leader and serial entrepreneur with 25+ years of diversified B2B SaaS industry experience and a five-time bestselling author. He specializes in building and scaling SaaS companies, both in terms of revenue and process. He drives all go-to-market and lead acquisition activities, including demand generation, marketing operations, product marketing, public relations, and brand.
RSVP online at: https://galorath.com/events/webinar-galorath-ai

2024 ICEAA Professional Development & Training Workshop
2024-05-14 08:00 - 2024-05-16 17:00 (America/New_York)

SoCal Chapter Webinar: BUZZCRAFT: Evolution of A Sturdy Cislunar Cycler Architecture in Support of ARTEMIS for Permanent Lunar Settlement Logistics
2024-06-20 12:00 - 13:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
BUZZCRAFT: Evolution of A Sturdy Cislunar Cycler Architecture in Support of ARTEMIS for Permanent Lunar Settlement Logistics
Thursday, June 20, 2024
12:00-1:00pm Pacific/3:00-4:00pm Eastern
As part of the Artemis program, NASA intends to have boots back on the moon by 2026, with help from the Gateway station in lunar orbit. However, questions persist about the physiological consequences of prolonged exposure to deep space radiation on the crew, especially during the upcoming sunspot cycle 25 solar maximum period that will peak during Artemis mission execution. Furthermore, there is currently no cislunar infrastructure in place to aid with rescue missions in the event of an anomaly requiring crew extraction on the lunar surface, nor is there a reliable logistics channel and communications link to the Moon.
BuzzCraft concept architecture is an alternative to the current Gateway station proposal that seeks to address both of these issues. Attributes of the BuzzCraft architecture are presented. This Buzzcraft cislunar Cycler would serve as a crew emergency and rescue system and also initiate the evolution of a cislunar logistics channel adding vital value to the Artemis effort. Eventually, Buzzcraft could also evolve into Gateway in different orbits including the near rectilinear halo lunar polar orbit(HALO) that is proposed currently.
The BuzzCraft architecture designed to be supported by already existing space technology, both human rated and non-human rated, including NASA and existing commercial space assets. Tried and tested Apollo hardware including the Lunar Module(LM) and the Apollo lunar surface EVA suit can be quickly upgraded for the Artemis lll mission. As a result of space qualified derived hardware, the first phase of BuzzCraft could be launched quickly. Operations in low Earth orbit enable both commercial and international partners to engage in a rapidly phased Buzzcraft cislunar architecture. Furthermore, modules and payloads can be supplied by international partners such as the ESA, RosCosmos, CNSA, JAXA, and ISRO as well as emerging nations with space faring ambitions.
BuzzCraft features are outlined, some future technologies for prime providers suggested and presented in the hope that estimators can provide some insight on comparing reference mission costs & budgets.
Speaker: Madhu Thangavelu
Madhu Thangavelu has a background education in Civil Architecture and Astronautical Engineering. He conducts the ASTE527 graduate Space Exploration Architecture Studio in the Department of Astronautical Engineering within the Viterbi School of Engineering and teaches Space Architecture in the School of Architecture at the University of Southern California. He is the author or coauthor of several publications relating to Space Architecture and human space activities, including a book – The Moon: Resources, Future Development and Settlement by publishers including Elsevier, Routledge, Springer and Wiley. Madhu is on the faculty of the International Space University, an international organization that trains space professionals around the globe. Madhu is an active member of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics and former Vice Chair of Education for the Los Angeles Section of the AIAA. He is on the board of directors of the National Space Society and also the NSS Vice President for India region. Madhu is the North American coordinator of activities for the Moon Village Association based in Vienna, Austria.

RSVP Online at: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUkduusrzotGd0erHrP758_5GBll9T9N6Kd

WCA Chapter Webinar: What’s the buzz around ICEAA’s new Software Cost Estimating Certification (SCEC)?
2024-06-26 12:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York)
SUBJECT: WCAC ICEAA June Luncheon: “What’s the buzz around ICEAA’s new Software Cost Estimating Certification (SCEC)”
PRESENTED BY: Kevin McKeel, Logapps, LLC
TIME: Wednesday, June 26, 2024 | 12:00 to 1:00pm eastern
LOCATION:
MS Teams
Join the meeting now
Meeting ID: 244 961 439 979
Passcode: [REDACTED]
SUMMARY:
This training seminar will cover ICEAA’s new Software Cost Estimating Certification (SCEC) and an overview of software estimating. The nine SCEC modules will be discussed, common software development and maintenance processes will be reviewed, and best practices with estimating effort, cost and schedule will be identified. Cost drivers of size, complexity will be explained, and common software effort and schedule CERs will be provided. The different software sizing metrics (SLOC and Function Points) will be identified and differentiated. We will discuss the different software development paradigms (Agile, Waterfall, hybrid), and different approaches to estimating custom development and COTS/SaaS software projects. We will touch on some of the leading parametric tools, and the strengths/weaknesses with parametric tools will be noted.
The seminar will also explain how to prepare for and take the SCEC exam.
Speakers:
Kevin McKeel
Speaker Bio:
Kevin McKeel – Mr. Kevin McKeel has over 25 years of experience in software cost estimation. He is a CCEA and SAFe Architect and received the prestigious 2021 Technical Achievement of the Year award from ICEAA related to research of automated software sizing using AI and NLP. Mr. McKeel holds a Bachelor’s in Business Administration (Finance, ‘89) from James Madison University and a Master’s in Business Administration (Decision Systems, ’92) from The George Washington University.

WCA Chapter July Luncheon: “Level Up Your Cost Analysis with Data Science”
2024-07-23 12:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York)

WCA Chapter Virtual Luncheon: AI and Cost Estimation: Data Science's Expanding Role in Cost Estimating
2024-08-13 08:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York)

OEM COG: Bridging Generational Gaps
2024-09-10 12:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York)
Bridging Generational Gaps
ICEAA’s OEM COG has formed a panel of “first-decade” young estimators to give their opinions, ideas, and experiences with two of those table topics: the future of hybrid/remote working and the shortage of skilled professionals, and how those two topics relate to each other, especially in terms of encouraging or incentivizing younger professionals. What motivates the younger workforce? What do they think the best ways to overcome communication and training barriers are, particularly those for whom remote work has been the norm for all or most of their careers? What lessons have they learned from interacting with older professionals, and what advice can they give us as we too adjust to the new workforce environment?
Panelists:
Samantha Bailey, Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company
Sam Bailey is a production operations estimator at Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company in Fort Worth, Texas. She has 10 years of professional work experience in data analysis, project/subcontract management, and education, including 5 years in estimating. She has worked on a variety of F-35 program efforts with estimates involving manufacturing, tooling, quality, and engineering. Some estimating techniques to execute these efforts have comprised cost estimating relationships, learning curve analysis, and data modeling. She has also been involved in multiple digital transformation efforts, involving tools like Alteryx, Tableau, Power Queries, and Access. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics with a minor in English from the University of Texas at Arlington.
Michael Finnegan, The Boeing Company
Michael Finnegan currently works for the Boeing Company in El Segundo, California. After earning his Masters in Mathematics at Missouri State University, he joined the Business Skills Rotation Program within the Boeing Company in his hometown of St. Louis, Missouri. His first rotation was in Labor Estimating & Pricing, where he also had the opportunity to attend the ICEAA Conference in San Diego. He began to seek out opportunities to further his career in Estimating & Pricing, which were limited in St. Louis at the time, so he moved to Philadelphia, PA, for his second rotation in Procurement Financial Analysis. After three years in the procurement side of the business, he attempted a rotation in Integrated Scheduling, where he lasted a total of 3 months before moving back into a Procurement Finance role. Roughly five years into his career, he had a midlife crisis due to not wanting to settle down at the old age of 28. His mentor found a role for him within Satellites Estimating & Pricing in El Segundo, CA, where he currently works as a parametric cost estimator, building cost models, satellite proposals, and independent cost analyses. In his spare time, he can be found with one of his run clubs (either running or at the brewery), at the bowling alley, or traveling for a marathon.
Jacqueline Magistro, BAE Systems, Inc.
My name is Jacqueline and I have many years of finance under my belt. I fell into pricing based on a career change. With the love of numbers, finance was always a fantastic place, but can get mundane, so this led me to pricing, which never gets boring! The past several years I have had the opportunity to work on the Legacy, MIDS and NTCDL programs, as well as, continuously working all repair bids. I train employees on an application called Golden Eagle and assist when end users have trouble. My training is kept up to date and I enjoy finding new areas to learn. I have attended the peer-to-peer meeting last year and again this year. She also has a mentor to lead her in new areas. I am always looking for new challenges or to try and simplify a process.
Brady Thompson, Bechtel Plant Machinery Inc.
Brady Thompson is an accomplished Senior Data Scientist and Information Architect with extensive experience in data analysis, machine learning, and IT architecture modernization. Currently at Bechtel Plant Machinery Inc., he specializes in designing scalable data-driven systems using Microsoft Azure and other advanced platforms. Brady is known for leading enterprise-wide initiatives, including the adoption of Azure Synapse, AI, and Power BI tools, representing BPMI as their Estimating Subject Matter Expert, as well as a mentoring data science and engineering teams. With a strong background in business intelligence and supply chain analytics from previous roles at Dick’s Sporting Goods, Brady holds a Master’s in Quality and Manufacturing Management from Penn State and is currently attending the Naval Postgraduate School for a certificate in Estimating and Analytics.
RSVP online at: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMvfu2urz8pGt1iWVdzI8U0J9LT7JiASKB0

2024 SCAF/ICEAA Training Symposium
2024-09-19 - 2024-09-20
