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Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Cost Estimation'
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Qian, Li. "Web-based cost estimation and supplier selection based on parametric cost estimation /." Search for this dissertation online, 2003. http://wwwlib.umi.com/cr/ksu/main.
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Lai, Mei Teng. "Airline operating cost estimation." Thesis, University of Macau, 2008. http://umaclib3.umac.mo/record=b1950305.
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Gildenblatt, Robbie B. "A Methodology Incorporating Manufacturing System Capacity in Manufacturing Cost Estimation." Ohio University / OhioLINK, 2013. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1357314439.
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Shetelig, Haakon. "Shipbuilding Cost Estimation : Parametric Approach." Thesis, Norges teknisk-naturvitenskapelige universitet, Institutt for marin teknikk, 2013. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:no:ntnu:diva-22360.
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A continuously increasing global competition in the ship building industry leads to decreasing margins and an increased cost pressure for Norwegian shipbuilders. The Norwegian ship designers and shipbuilders are known throughout the world for delivering complex vessel with high quality, on time. Shipowners have so far been willing to pay the price for Norwegian offshore support vessels. However, high quality products will at some point be outcompeted by less expensive solutions.An effective cost estimation framework can contribute to a competitive advantage. This thesis presents a methodology for developing a cost estimation framework to identify, investigate and evaluate the importance and behavior of cost drivers in offshore shipbuilding. The outcome of the method is cost estimating relationships (CER) that express the relative consequences on the total cost due to relative changes of high level performance requirements. These CERs is called relative change-CERs. A relative change-CER could for example express the relative consequence on the total cost due to a 5 % increase of the installed engine power.The method can be characterized as a parametric top-down cost estimation approach. By using historical cost data and specifications for a population of vessels of a certain ship type, it is possible to find relationships between important performance parameters and costs. With regression techniques, CERs expressing unit costs per cost driving parameter for different technological groups of the vessel can be found. By using these unit cost-CERs on already existing vessels and then theoretically change the ship?s performance parameters, one will see the theoretical consequence on the total cost. By changing a chosen cost driving parameter with different intervals for several vessels, the average relative consequences on the total cost is found for that ship type. The relative change-CERs can be utilized differently by actors in the shipbuilding industry. One area of application is in the negotiation process with a potential customer where features like ship specifications and change orders are discussed. The relative change-CERs contribute to leverage for the yard personnel?s arguments, and reduce the response time for rebids and tender requests.Another area of application for the relative change-CERs is for gaining insight of the behavior of important cost drivers in offshore ship building. With a set of unit cost curves and relative change-CERs, it is possible to identify how the different parts of the ship are affected by a relative change in certain ship parameters. This information can be used to rank the different ship parameters according to their importance and relative influence on the total ship building cost.
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Miller, Adam J. "Methodology for Cost Estimation of Systems at a Preliminary Stage of Design." Ohio University / OhioLINK, 2012. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1344259852.
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Tunc, Mehmet. "Computerized Cost Estimation For Forging Industry." Master's thesis, METU, 2003. http://etd.lib.metu.edu.tr/upload/4/1060193/index.pdf.
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In today’
s life, companies are faced with the problem of providing quality goods and services at competitive prices. Cost estimation is a very important process for a forging company, as each time a quote is sent to a customer, the company earns or loses money depending on the results of the particular estimate. However, determining pricing for customer quotes is a matter of time consuming, detailed number of tasks repeated each time. Cost estimation software might do those tedious calculations and assist the estimator step by step to reach to a cost estimate in relatively short time. In this study, an interactive cost estimation software named Forge Cost Estimator, which performs the early cost estimation for forgings, has been developed. The program is aimed to be used by the cost estimators in hot forging companies. The software has various databases, which include material, forging and machining equipment data. The cost items defined in the forging work breakdown structure can be estimated by using different modules of the software and summed up in an additive structure by using the bottom-up costestimation method. For calculating the forge volume quicker and easier, a new volume estimation system named Easy-Volume, which is based on the volume fragmentation method, is proposed. The software can also guide the user in selecting the convenient forging production line. The software is written in MS Visual Basic 6.0. The developed program has been tested in a forging company and satisfactory cost estimations for several forgings have been achieved.
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Peters, Norman L. "Parametric cost estimation for amphibious assault vehicle's life cycle cost." Thesis, Monterey, California. Naval Postgraduate School, 1991. http://hdl.handle.net/10945/26684.
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Approved for public release; distribution is unlimitedThis thesis investigates the need to predict life cycle cost in the most effective and efficient manner through the development of cost estimating relationships (CERs) using only performance input parameters. Utilizing statistical software especially designed for program managers, parametric cost estimating relationship module (PACER), CERs were developed and then evaluated for statistical soundness. The object of this study was to develop a means by which the program manager could estimate fairly accurately total life cycle costs. With this information in hand, the program manager could determine of a weapons system is affordable early in the acquisition process. The result of this study was the derivation of three predictive models that relate cost to required performance parameters. Based solely upon performance requirements, a relationship between cost and performance was established and their impact upon life cycle costs.
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Strike, Kevin D. "Software cost estimation with incomplete data." Thesis, National Library of Canada = Bibliothèque nationale du Canada, 2000. http://www.collectionscanada.ca/obj/s4/f2/dsk3/ftp04/mq64461.pdf.
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Zhai, Yun. "Early cost estimation for additive manufacture." Thesis, Cranfield University, 2012. http://dspace.lib.cranfield.ac.uk/handle/1826/7856.
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Additive Manufacture (AM) is a novel manufacturing method; it is a process of forming components by adding materials. Owing to material saving and manufacturing cost saving, more and more research has been focused on metal AM technologies. WAAM is one AM technology, using arc as the heat sources and wire as the material to create parts with weld beads on a layer-by-layer basis. The process can produce components in a wide range of materials, including aluminum, titanium and steel. High deposition rate, material saving and elimination of tooling cost are critical characteristics of the process.
Cost estimation is important for all companies. The estimated results can be used as a datum to create a quote for customers or evaluate a quote from suppliers, an important consideration for the application of WAAM is its cost effectiveness compared with traditional manufacture methods. The aim of this research is to find a way to develop a cost estimating method capable of providing manufacturing cost comparison of WAAM with CNC. A cost estimation model for CNC machining has been developed. A process planning approach for WAAM was also defined as part of this research. An Excel calculation spreadsheet was also built and it can be easily used to estimate and compare manufacture cost of WAAM with CNC.
Using the method developed in this research, the cost driver analysis of WAAM has been made. The result shows that reduced material cost is the biggest cost driver in WAAM. The cost comparison of WAAM and CNC also has been made and the results show that with the increase of buy-to-fly ratio WAAM is more economical than CNC machining.
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Liu, Kevin K. (Kevin Kaitan) 1986. "Cost estimation of human systems integration." Thesis, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2010. http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/59776.
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Thesis (S.M. in Technology and Policy)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Engineering Systems Division, 2010.Cataloged from PDF version of thesis.
Includes bibliographical references (p. 103-108).
Human Systems Integration (HSI) is the interdisciplinary technical and management processes for integrating human considerations within and across all system elements. The goal of this research is to develop a better understanding of how the costs of doing HSI work within a program can be estimated. The research is divided into two parts. In the first part, problem formulation, literature from several relevant domains is first reviewed. Next a descriptive case study is conducted on the development of the Pratt and Whitney F 119 engine. It examines activities done to support HSI up to engineering and manufacturing development and concludes that, among other factors, HSI in requirements are a major driver of effort. This conclusion leads to work on the integration of HSI into the counting of requirements for an existing systems engineering cost model. In the second part of the research, implementation and validation, two workshops are conducted to assess how HSI considerations are addressed in real-world requirements engineering. The first workshop tests existing requirements counting guidelines, identifies weakness, and suggests improvement. The second workshop applies the Wideband Delphi method to generate consensus between stakeholders in order to deliver a quantitative estimate of HSI effort. The workshop also demonstrates that stakeholders perceive functional and nonfunctional requirements as driving effort in similar ways, a conclusion that challenges a widely-held belief that nonfunctional requirements are less significant than functional ones. The research done in the case study and workshops results in improvements to the existing systems engineering cost model, and an application of the model is presented. Policy considerations are discussed. The integration of the HSI into the model represents a significant step toward being better able to plan HSI effort in acquisition programs.
by Kevin K. Liu.
S.M.in Technology and Policy
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Letchmunan, Sukumar. "Pragmatic cost estimation for web applications." Thesis, University of Strathclyde, 2012. http://oleg.lib.strath.ac.uk:80/R/?func=dbin-jump-full&object_id=20478.
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Cost estimation for web applications is an interesting and difficult challenge for researchers and industrial practitioners. It is a particularly valuable area of ongoing commercial research. Attaining on accurate cost estimation for web applications is an essential element in being able to provide competitive bids and remaining successful in the market. The development of prediction techniques over thirty years ago has contributed to several different strategies. Unfortunately there is no collective evidence to give substantial advice or guidance for industrial practitioners. Therefore to address this problem, this thesis shows the way by investigating the characteristics of the dataset by combining the literature review and industrial survey findings. The results of the systematic literature review, industrial survey and an initial investigation, have led to an understanding that dataset characteristics may influence the cost estimation prediction techniques. From this, an inv estigation was carried out on dataset characteristics. However, in the attempt to structure the characteristics of dataset it was found not to be practical or easy to get a defined structure of dataset characteristics to use as a basis for prediction model selection. Therefore the thesis develops a pragmatic cost estimation strategy based on collected advice and general sound practice in cost estimation. The strategy is composed of the following five steps: test whether the predictions are better than the means of the dataset; test the predictions using accuracy measures such as MMRE, Pred and MAE knowing their strengths and weaknesses; investigate the prediction models formed to see if they are sensible and reasonable model; perform significance testing on the predictions; and get the effect size to establish preference relations of prediction models. The results from this pragmatic cost estimation strategy give not only advice on several techniques to choose from, but also give reliable results. Practitioners can be more confident about the estimation that is given by following this pragmatic cost estimation strategy. It can be concluded that the practitioners should focus on the best strategy to apply in cost estimation rather than focusing on the best techniques. Therefore, this pragmatic cost estimation strategy could help researchers and practitioners to get reliable results. The improvement and replication of this strategy over time will produce much more useful and trusted results.
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Gandhi, Raju P. "REDUCTION / ELIMINATION OF ERRORS IN COST ESTIMATES USING CALIBRATION – AN ALGORITHMIC APPROACH." Ohio University / OhioLINK, 2005. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1134575761.
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Eaglesham, Mark Alan. "A Decision Support System for Advanced Composites Manufacturing Cost Estimation." Diss., Virginia Tech, 1998. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/30430.
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The increased use of advanced composites in aerospace manufacturing has led to the
development of new production processes and technology. The implementation of
advanced composites manufacturing technology is poorly served by traditional cost
accounting methods, which distort costs by using inappropriate volume-based
allocations of overhead. Activity-based costing has emerged as a methodology which
provides more accurate allocation of costs to products or activities by their usage of
company resources. Better designs may also be produced if designers could evaluate
the cost implications of their choices early in the design process. This research
describes a methodology whereby companies can improve product cost estimation at
the conceptual design phase, using intelligent searching and arrangement of existing
accounting data to enable designers to access the activity cost information more
readily. The concept has considerable scope for application in industry because it will
allow companies to make better use of information that is already being recorded in
their information systems, by providing it in a form which will enable designers to make
better informed decisions during the design process. The design decision support
framework is illustrated by applying it to a typical problem in aerospace composites
manufacturing. Feasibility of the approach is demonstrated using a prototype software
model of the Design Decision Support System, implemented using commercially
available software.Ph. D.
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Rankin, John C. "Development of Cost Estimation Equations for Forging." Ohio : Ohio University, 2005. http://www.ohiolink.edu/etd/view.cgi?ohiou1129661983.
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Nord, Erika. "Cost estimation of wind farms' internal grids." Thesis, KTH, Elektriska energisystem, 2011. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:kth:diva-47831.
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When establishing new wind farms there are a lot of different stakeholders that have different demands and ambitions.The local grid in a wind farm constitutes of about 10% of the total investment cost and therefore it is of importance that it is optimized both regarding losses and costs. In a wind farm project a system analysis is ordered thatsummarizes information such as cable layout, electric data and losses. A drawback is that this analysis is given in a later part of the project, when most decisions already have been made due to permits. If the analysis shows that there are unnecessarily high losses in the system it can be too late to make changes.The aim of this Master’s thesis project is to develop a method that makes the essential calculations so that an estimation of losses and its costs together with the investment costs can be made at an early stage. The first part of the thesis consisted of developing a program using this method with the requests above to, in the next stage, compare the results the method acquires with a reference system analysis of an existing wind farm. From this comparison conclusions were made whether the method is usable and in which ways it resembles and differs from the more advanced method used in a program today.The results show that the method makes a good estimation of losses. Deviations between the developed method and the reference analysis are due to that different approaches are made when calculating certain losses and also the depth of the calculations. Furthermore there is no description of how precise the calculations in the reference report were made so approximations can be a source of error.The conclusion is that this method can be used to get an early estimation of the losses and the corresponding costs of the local grid.
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Schneider, Gary David. "A requirements specification software cost estimation tool." Thesis, Kansas State University, 1986. http://hdl.handle.net/2097/9952.
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Smith, Matthew B. Lieutenant junior grade. "Updating MIT's cost estimation model for shipbuilding." Thesis, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2008. http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/44876.
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Thesis (S.M. in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, 2008."LTJG Matthew B. Smith, USCG."
Includes bibliographical references (leaf 82).
This thesis project will update the MIT ship cost estimation model by combining the two existing models (the Basic Military Training School (BMTS) Cost Model and the MIT Math Model) in order to develop a program that can accurately determine both a ship's acquisition cost as well as its life cycle cost. Using United States Coast Guard resources, this project will also address various aspects of the ship design process which have a direct effect on the cost of building a ship. This will include, but not be limited to, the cost estimation process, determining which design decisions have the biggest impact on the ship's total cost, common pitfalls in the design process that lead to increases in cost, and lessons learned that have helped minimize the cost of a ship.
by Matthew B. Smith.
S.M.in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering
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Groseclose, Adam R. "Estimation of Forging Die Wear and Cost." The Ohio State University, 2010. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1277993083.
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Chu, Xiaoyuan. "Improving Estimation Accuracy using Better Similarity Distance in Analogy-based Software Cost Estimation." Thesis, Uppsala universitet, Institutionen för informationsteknologi, 2015. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:uu:diva-246116.
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Software cost estimation nowadays plays a more and more important role in practical projects since modern software projects become more and more complex as well as diverse. To help estimate software development cost accurately, this research does a systematic analysis of the similarity distances in analogy-based software cost estimation and based on this, a new non-orthogonal space distance (NoSD) is proposed as a measure of the similarities between real software projects. Different from currently adopted measures like the Euclidean distance and so on, this non-orthogonal space distance not only considers the different features to have different importance for cost estimation, but also assumes project features to have a non-orthogonal dependent relationship which is considered independent to each other in Euclidean distance. Based on such assumptions, NoSD method describes the non-orthogonal angles between feature axes using feature redundancy and it represents the feature weights using feature relevance, where both redundancy and relevance are defined in terms of mutual information. It can better reveal the real dependency relationships between real life software projects based on this non-orthogonal space distance. Also experiments show that it brings a greatest of 13.1% decrease of MMRE and a 12.5% increase of PRED(0.25) on ISBSG R8 dataset, and 7.5% and 20.5% respectively on the Desharnais dataset. Furthermore, to make it better fit the complex data distribution of real life software projects data, this research leverages the particle swarm optimization algorithm for an optimization of the proposed non-orthogonal space distance and proposes a PSO optimized non-orthogonal space distance (PsoNoSD). It brings further improvement in the estimation accuracy. As shown in experiments, compared with the normally used Euclidean distance, PsoNoSD improves the estimation accuracy by 38.73% and 11.59% in terms of MMRE and PRED(0.25) on ISBSG R8 dataset. On the Desharnais dataset, the improvements are 23.38% and 24.94% respectively. In summary, the new methods proposed in this research, which are based on theoretical study as well as systematic experiments, have solved some problems of currently used techniques and they show a great ability of notably improving the software cost estimation accuracy.
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Ahiaga-Dagbui, Dominic Doe. "Rethinking construction cost overruns : an artificial neural network approach to construction cost estimation." Thesis, University of Edinburgh, 2014. http://hdl.handle.net/1842/10454.
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The main concern of a construction client is to procure a facility that is able to meet its functional requirements, of the required quality, and delivered within an acceptable budget and timeframe. The cost aspect of these key performance indicators usually ranks highest. In spite of the importance of cost estimation, it is undeniably neither simple nor straightforward because of the lack of information in the early stages of the project. Construction projects therefore have routinely overrun their estimates. Cost overrun has been attributed to a number of sources including technical error in design, managerial incompetence, risk and uncertainty, suspicions of foul play and even corruption. Furthermore, even though it is accepted that factors such as tendering method, location of project, procurement method or size of project have an effect on likely final cost of a project, it is difficult to establish their measured financial impact. Estimators thus have to rely largely on experience and intuition when preparing initial estimates, often neglecting most of these factors in the final cost build-up. The decision-to-build for most projects is therefore largely based on unrealistic estimates that would inevitably be exceeded. The main aim of this research is to re-examine the sources of cost overrun on construction projects and to develop final cost estimation models that could help in reaching more reliable final cost estimates at the tendering stage of the project. The research identified two predominant schools of thought on the sources of overruns – referred to here as the PsychoStrategists and Evolution Theorists. Another finding was that there is no unanimity on the reference point from which cost performance could be assessed, leading to a large disparity in the size of overruns reported. Another misunderstanding relates to the term “cost overrun” itself. The experimental part of the research, conducted in collaboration with two industry partners, used a combination of non-parametric bootstrapping and ensemble modelling with artificial neural networks to develop final project cost models based on about 1,600 water infrastructure projects. 92% of the validation predictions were within ±10% of the actual final cost of the project. The models will be particularly useful at the pre-contract stage as they will provide a benchmark for evaluating submitted tenders and also allow the quick generation of various alternative solutions for a construction project using what-if scenarios. The original contribution of the study is a fresh thinking of construction “cost overruns”, now proposed to be more appropriately known as “cost growth” based on a synthesises of the two schools of thought into a conceptual model. The second contribution is the development of novel models of construction cost estimation utilising artificial neural networks coupled with bootstrapping and ensemble modelling.
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Liu, Yang. "Aspects of linking CAD and cost estimation software." Thesis, Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2001. http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/52136.
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Thesis (MScEng)--Stellenbosch University, 2001.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This thesis describes a module that links AutoCAD and CeDeas (cost estimation software which was developed by Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Stellenbosch). CeDeas is intended for estimating the direct manufacturing cost of simple welded assemblies in a batch production environment. It is aimed at use during late concept design or early detail design. The link module was developed in Borland C++ Builder. By using COM (Component Object Model) technology, the link module employs the methods and the properties of the AutoCAD automation interface to extract manufacturing information that is required by CeDeas. The link module prompts the user to pick objects in an AutoCAD drawing and then determines the values required by CeDeas to estimate the manufacturing cost. The user can choose between a "direct select method" (which uses the properties of geometric entities already in the drawing) and a "user define method" (whereby the user defmes temporary entities or combines aspects of existing entities in the AutoCAD drawing). With these results and some non-geometric inputs, the user can get a cost estimate of components and assemblies. After design changes, the link module can provide CeDeas with updated values with minimal user interaction in situations where the "direct select method" was used. The designer can therefore easily use the cost estimates to compare design alternatives to optimise the design. Validation studies demonstrated the numerical accuracy of the use of the link module. The link module can be regarded as an extension of CeDeas. At present it only supports AutoCAD R14, but can be extended to support AutoCAD 2000 and Mechanical Desktop.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: 'n Module wat dien as skakel tussen AutoCAD and CeDeas (kosteberamingsagteware ontwikkel deur die Departement van Meganiese Ingenieurswese, Universiteit van Stellenbosch) word in hierdie tesis beskryf. Die doel van CeDeas is om die direkte vervaardiginskoste van eenvoudige, gesweisde samestellings, in 'n lot-produksie omgewing, te beraam. Dit is gemik op gebruik tydens laat konsepontwerp en vroeë detailontwerp. Die skakelmodule is ontwikkel in Borland C++ Builder. Deur van COM (Component Object Model) tegnologie gebruik te maak, kry die skakelmodule toegang tot die funksies en eienskappe van AutoCAD se outomatisasie koppelvlak en kan sodoende die vervaardigingsinligting onttrek wat deur CeDeas benodig word. Die skakelmodule vra die gebruiker om voorwerpe in 'n AutoCAD tekening te kies en bepaal dan die waardes wat deur CeDeas benodig word om die vervaardigingskoste te skat. Die gebruiker kan kies tussen 'n "direkte keuse metode" (wat die eienskappe van geometriese entiteite wat reeds in die tekening is, gebruik) en 'n "gebruiker definieer metode" (waarin die gebruiker tydelike entiteite defmieer of kombinasies van aspekte van bestaande entiteite in die AutoCAD tekening gebruik). 'n Koste beraming van komponente of samestellings kan verkry word met hierdie inligting tesame met ander nie-geometriese inligting. Na ontwerpsveranderings, kan die skakelmodule hersiene waardes vir CeDeas voorsien met minimale gebruikers-interaksie in gevalle waar die "direkte keuse metode" gebruik is. Die gebruiker kan daarom maklik die kosteskattings gebruik om ontwerpsaltematiewe te vergelyk om die ontwerp te optimeer. Evalueringstudies het die numeriese akkuraatheid van die skakelmodule bevesting. Hierdie module kan as 'n uitbreiding van CeDeas beskou word. Tans werk die module slegs met AutoCAD R14, maar dit kan uitgebrei word om met AutoCAD 2000 en Mechanical Desktop te werk.
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Hosseini-Nasab, Hasan. "The early cost estimation of injection moulded components." Thesis, University of Bath, 2002. https://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.250821.
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Klumpp, Joseph J. "Parametric cost estimation applied to composite helicopter airframes." Thesis, Monterey, Calif. : Springfield, Va. : Naval Postgraduate School ; Available from National Technical Information Service, 1994. http://handle.dtic.mil/100.2/ADA280967.
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Oncul, Mustafa. "Cost Estimation Of Housing Projects By Functional Areas." Master's thesis, METU, 2006. http://etd.lib.metu.edu.tr/upload/12607083/index.pdf.
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Good conceptual cost estimates is one of the most important factors affecting the project success. Investment decisions taken and budget preparations are performed from the results of the conceptual estimates. Also, the most difficult cost estimation is the early estimates where there is very limited information.
This thesis provides a model for the cost estimation of the housing projects at the conceptual stage, considering not only the total area of the construction, but also considering fractional areas, as kitchen area, bathroom area, living room area and etc. Moreover, model outputs a range of costs considering quality of the construction instead of a point estimate which allows investors to see the possible costs of the project by their choice of luxury.
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Saravi, Mohammad Ebrahimzadeh. "Improving cost estimation accuracy through quality improvement techniques." Thesis, University of Bath, 2010. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.520948.
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Bradley, Cecil D. "A statistical analysis of Surface Escort cost estimation/." Thesis, Monterey, California. Naval Postgraduate School, 1988. http://hdl.handle.net/10945/23407.
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This study investigates the relationship of the component weights of US Navy Surface Escort Ships and their corresponding costs of construction. The procedures of various US Navy agencies who conduct Surface Ship Costing are described, with emphasis upon the method followed by COMNAVSEASYSCOM, Washington D.C.. A statistical analysis is provided which focuses upon multiple linear regression techniques applied to the weight/cost relationship. Additionally, the research includes the investigation of non-weight explanatory variable contribution to the various regression models. The analysis concludes that linear relationships do exist between the variables. The statistical evidence provided suggests that linear regression provides equivalent results to non-linear logarithmic transformation of the dependent cost variable. Further, the analysis indicates that the inclusion of non-weight dummy variables, such as contract type for vessel construction, enhance models with strictly weight explanatory variables. The models developed herein lack the precision demanded of budgetary cost estimating. However, the equations will generate point estimates that may add credence to existing methods, especially within concept formulation or tradeoff studies. Keywords: Cost estimation, Surface ship cost estimation, Statistical analysis of ship costing, Theses. (SDW)
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Divelbiss, David L. "Evaluation of the Impact of Product Detail on the Accuracy of Cost Estimates." Ohio University / OhioLINK, 2005. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1127165055.
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Odendaal, M. M. "The estimation and management of cost over the life cycle of metallurgical research projects." Pretoria : [s.n.], 2009. http://upetd.up.ac.za/thesis/available/etd-10262009-134111.
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Adetunji, Hamed Ademola. "A study of costs and cost-effectiveness estimation of hepatitis B immunisation in Nigeria." Thesis, London South Bank University, 2000. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.312999.
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Cain, Michael. "Estimation and prediction with asymmetric loss functions." Thesis, Aberystwyth University, 1994. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.300808.
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Athreya, Prahlad S. "The CAD query language towards design-concurrent cost estimation /." Ohio : Ohio University, 2002. http://www.ohiolink.edu/etd/view.cgi?ohiou1177523234.
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Rehman, S. "Knowledge-based cost modelling for innovative design." Thesis, Cranfield University, 2000. http://hdl.handle.net/1826/3971.
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The contribution to new knowledge from this research is a novel method for modelling
production costs throughout the design phase of a product's lifecycle, from conceptual
to detail design.
The provision of cost data throughout the design phase allows management to make
more accurate bid estimates and encourages designers to design to cost, leading to a
reduction in the amount of design rework and product's time to market. The cost
modelling strategy adopted incorporates the use of knowledge-based and case-based
approaches.
Cost estimation is automated by linking design knowledge, required for predicting
design features from incomplete design descriptions, to production knowledge. The
link between the different paradigms is achieved through the blackboard framework of
problem solving which incorporates both case-baseda nd rule-based reasoning.
The method described is aimed at innovative design activities in which original designs
are produced which are similar to some extent to past design solutions. The method is
validated through a prototyping approach. Tests conducted on the prototype confirm
that the designed method models costs sufficiently accurately within the range of its
own knowledge base. It can therefore be inferred that the designed cost modelling
methodology sets out a feasible approach to cost estimation throughout the design
phase.
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Ryan, Thomas Robert Jr. "Costing for the Future: Exploring Cost Estimation with Unmanned Autonomous Systems." Thesis, The University of Arizona, 2015. http://hdl.handle.net/10150/556977.
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This thesis explores three topics in the field of cost estimation for Unmanned Autonomous Systems. First, we propose a common definition of an Unmanned Autonomous System. We accomplish this through exhausting the literature in the areas cost estimation, autonomy in its current form, and how such advanced systems might be integrated into their environment. Second, we introduce a method to estimate the cost of Unmanned Autonomous Systems utilizing existing parametric cost estimation tools: SEER–HDR, COCOMO II, COSYSMO, and two cost estimating relationships–weight and performance. This discussion is guided by focusing on how current tools attempt to account for emergent systems. We also attempt to address challenges surrounding autonomy. To address these challenges from a cost perspective, this thesis recommends modifications to parameters within COCOMO II–via the use of object-oriented function points in lieu of current methods, and COSYSMO–via the introduction of two cost drivers namely, TVED and HRI-T. Third, we conduct analysis on four current Army Unmanned Autonomous Systems in an attempt to establish early trends within existing estimates. Finally, we explore areas of further research and discuss the implications of how pursing a more adequate cost model will lead to a better understanding of this ill-defined paradigm. *This material is based upon work supported by the Naval Postgraduate School Acquisition Research Program under Grant No. N00244-15-1-0008. The views expressed in written materials or publications, and/or made by speakers, moderators, and presenters, do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the Naval Postgraduate School nor does mention of trade names, commercial practices, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.
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Norman, David W. Sovereign Michael G. "A cost estimation study of TH-57 upgrade proposals." Monterey, Calif. : Springfield, Va. : Naval Postgraduate School; Available from the National Technical Information Service, 1992. http://handle.dtic.mil/100.2/ADA257333.
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Poppe, Peter L. "A probabilistic cost estimation model for unexploded ordnance removal." Thesis, Monterey, Calif. : Springfield, Va. : Naval Postgraduate School ; Available from National Technical Information Service, 1999. http://handle.dtic.mil/100.2/ADA372960.
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Thesis (M.S. in Operations Research) Naval Postgraduate School, September 1999."September 1999". Thesis advisor(s): Timothy P. Anderson. Includes bibliographical references (p. 105-107). Also Available online.
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Asif, Sajjad. "Investigating Web Size Metrics for Early Web Cost Estimation." Thesis, Blekinge Tekniska Högskola, Institutionen för programvaruteknik, 2018. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:bth-16036.
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Context Web engineering is a new research field which utilizes engineering principles to produce quality web applications. Web applications have become more complex with the passage of time and it's quite difficult to analyze the web metrics for the estimation due to a wide range of web applications. Correct estimates for web development effort play a very important role in the success of large-scale web development projects. Objectives In this study I investigated size metrics and cost drivers used by web companies for early web cost estimation. I also aim to get validation through industrial interviews and web quote form. This form is designed based on most frequently occurring metrics after analyzing different companies. Secondly, this research aims to revisit previous work done by Mendes (a senior researcher and contributor in this research area) to validate whether early web cost estimation trends are same or changed? The ultimate goal is to help companies in web cost estimation. Methods First research question is answered by conducting an online survey through 212 web companies and finding their web predictor forms (quote forms). All companies included in the survey used Web forms to give quotes on Web development projects based on gathered size and cost measures. The second research question is answered by finding most occurring size metrics from the results of Survey 1. List of size metrics are validated by two methods: (i) Industrial interviews are conducted with 15 web companies to validate results of the first survey (ii) a quote form is designed using validated results from industrial interviews and quote form sent to web companies around the world to seek data on real Web projects. Data gathered from Web projects are analyzed using CBR tool and results are validated with Industrial interview results along with Survey 1. Final results are compared with old research to justify answer of third research question whether size metrics have been changed. All research findings are contributed to Tukutuku research benchmark project. Results “Number of pages/features” and “responsive implementation” are top web size metrics for early Web cost estimation. Conclusions. This research investigated metrics which can be used for early Web cost estimation at the early stage of Web application development. This is the stage where the application is not built yet but just requirements are being collected and an expected cost estimation is being evaluated. List of new metrics variable is concluded which can be added in Tukutuku project.
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Wilkin, Kelly R. "Cost estimation performances of Nevada highway infrastructure construction projects." abstract and full text PDF (free order & download UNR users only), 2006. http://0-gateway.proquest.com.innopac.library.unr.edu/openurl?url_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:dissertation&res_dat=xri:pqdiss&rft_dat=xri:pqdiss:1436025.
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Tin, Leung King. "Road vehicle state estimation using low-cost GPS/INS." Thesis, Cranfield University, 2010. http://dspace.lib.cranfield.ac.uk/handle/1826/9444.
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Due to noise and bias in the Inertial Navigation System (INS), vehicle dynamics measurements using the INS are inaccurate. Although alternative methods involving the integration of INS with accurate Global Positioning System (GPS) exist and are accurate, this kind of system is far too expensive to become value-adding to production vehicles. This thesis therefore considers two aspects: 1) the possibility of estimating vehicle dynamics using low-cost INS and GPS, and 2) the importance of vehicle dynamics in terms of handling in the eyes of customers upon vehicle purchase. The former aspect is considered from an engineering perspective and the latter is studied in a marketing context. From an engineering point of view, knowledge of vehicle dynamics not only improves existing safety control systems, such the Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) and Electronic Stabilising Program (ESP), but also allows the development of new systems. Based on modelling and simulation in MATLAB/Simulink, low-cost GPS and in-car INS (such as accelerometers, gyroscopes and wheel speed sensors) measurements are fused using Kalman Filters (KFs) to estimate the vehicle dynamics. These estimations are then compared with the simulation results from IPG Car- Maker. For most simulations, the speed of the vehicle is kept between 15 to 55kph. It is found that while triple KF designs are able to estimate the tyre radius, the longitudinal velocity and the heading angle accurately, an integrated KF design with known vehicle parameters is also able to estimate the lateral velocity precisely. Apart from studying and comparing different KF designs with restricted sensors quality, the effects and benefits of different sensor qualities in dynamic estimations are also studied via the variation of sensor sampling rates and accuracies. This investigation produces a design procedure and estimation error analyses (theoretical and graphical) which may help future engineers in designing their KFs. From a marketing perspective, it is important to understand customers’ purchase reasons in order to allocate resources more efficiently and effectively. As GPS/INS KF designs are able to enhance vehicle handling, it is vital to understand the relative importance of vehicle handling as a consumer purchase choice criterion. Based on two surveys, namely the New Vehicle Experience Survey in the US (NVES US) and the New Car Buyer Survey in the UK (NCBS UK), analyses are performed in a computer program called the Predictive Analytics SoftWare (PASW), which is formerly known as the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). The number of purchase reasons are first reduced with factor analysis, the latent factors produced are then used in the SPSS Two Step Cluster analysis for customer segmentation. With the customer segments and the latent factors defined, a discriminant analysis is carried out to determine customer type in the automobile sector, in particular for Jaguar Cars. It is found that customers in general take vehicle handling for granted and often underrate its importance in their purchase. New vehicle handling-aided systems therefore need to be marketed in terms of the value they add to other benefits such as reliability and performance in order to increase sales and stakeholder value.
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Romero, Rojo Francisco Javier. "Development of a framework for obsolescence resolution cost estimation." Thesis, Cranfield University, 2011. http://dspace.lib.cranfield.ac.uk/handle/1826/6854.
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Currently, manufacturing organisations worldwide are shifting their business models towards Product-Service Systems (PSS), which implies the development of new support agreements such as availability-based contracts. This transition is shifting the responsibilities for managing and resolving obsolescence issues from the customer to the prime contractor and industry work share partners. This new scenario has triggered a new need to estimate the Non-Recurring Engineering (NRE) cost of resolving obsolescence issues at the bidding stage, so it can be included in the support contract. Hence, the aim of this research is to develop an understanding about all types of obsolescence and develop methodologies for the estimation of NRE costs of hardware (electronic, electrical and electromechanical (EEE) components and materials) obsolescence that can be used at the bidding stage for support contracts in the defence and aerospace sectors. For the accomplishment of this aim, an extensive literature review of the related themes to the research area was carried out. It was found that there is a lack of methodologies for the cost estimation of obsolescence, and also a lack of understanding on the different types of obsolescence such as materials and software obsolescence. A systematic industrial investigation corroborated these findings and revealed the current practice in the UK defence sector for cost estimation at the bidding stage, obsolescence management and obsolescence cost estimation. It facilitated the development of an understanding about obsolescence in hardware and software. Further collaboration with experts from more than 14 organisations enabled the iterative development of the EEEFORCE and M-FORCE frameworks, which can be used at the bidding stage of support contracts to estimate the NRE costs incurred during the contracted period in resolving obsolescence issues in EEE components and materials, respectively. These frameworks were implemented within a prototype software platform that was applied to 13 case studies for expert validation.
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Straight, Kevin Andrew. "An Analogy Based Method for Freight Forwarding Cost Estimation." Thesis, University of California, Riverside, 2014. http://pqdtopen.proquest.com/#viewpdf?dispub=1562168.
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The author explored estimation by analogy (EBA) as a means of estimating the cost of international freight consignment. A version of the k-Nearest Neighbors algorithm (k-NN) was tested by predicting job costs from a database of over 5000 actual jobs booked by an Irish freight forwarding firm over a seven year period. The effect of a computer intensive training process on overall accuracy of the method was found to be insignificant when the method was implemented with four or fewer neighbors. Overall, the accuracy of the analogy based method, while still significantly less accurate than manually working up estimates, might be worthwhile to implement in practice, depending labor costs in an adopting firm. A simulation model was used to compare manual versus analytical estimation methods. The point of indifference occurs when it takes a firm more than 1.5 worker hours to prepare a manual estimate (at current Irish labor costs). Suggestions are given for future experiments to improve the sampling policy of the method to improve accuracy and to improve overall scalability.
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Norman, David W. "A cost estimation study of TH-57 upgrade proposals." Thesis, Monterey, California. Naval Postgraduate School, 1992. http://hdl.handle.net/10945/30613.
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Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.This thesis uses cost estimation techniques and computer models to analyze complex issues associated with upgrading the Navy's helicopter trainer, the TH-57, which is approaching its service life limit. A decision regarding a TH-57 upgrade is needed to support the current training syllabus. The analysis revealed that without a comprehensive long range plan, the Training Command will ultimately face a no-win situation; that is, reducing either its pilot training rate or syllabus flight hours. A pilot training rate reduction will create a shortfall of fleet pilots and a flight hour reduction may adversely impact flight training quality. The problems identified in the Chief of Naval Air Training's Tentative Operational Requirement were addressed. Several aircraft configurations were evaluated and four recommendations were made to ensure an effective upgrade.
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Park, In Kyoung, Dan C. Boger, and Michael G. Sovereign. "Software cost estimation through Bayesian inference of software size." Thesis, Monterey, California. Naval Postgraduate School, 1985. http://hdl.handle.net/10945/21547.
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Wan, Yan. "Cost estimation of sewage treatment systems using artificial intelligence." Thesis, University of Portsmouth, 1996. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.306951.
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Blackwood, David John. "Rationalisation of design cost estimation in the construction industry." Thesis, University of Abertay Dundee, 1998. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.242114.
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Niskanen, Jonne. "On Aircraft Systems’ Acquisition Cost Estimation : – A Parametric Approach –." Thesis, KTH, Flygdynamik, 2015. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:kth:diva-180469.
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The aim of this master thesis is to increase the precision of the aircraft systems’ acquisition cost estimations required as input to the Saab in-house software employed in concept studies at the company. This is achieved by developing a systematic methodology based on parametric techniques for data collection, normalization and validation, resulting in a mathematical Cost Estimating Relationship (CER) between a technical parameter and the acquisition cost. The accuracy of the CER is evaluated through residual and confidence band-analysis. This paper is a summarized, de-classified version of the company confidential 82-page project report written at Saab. Confidential information such as numeric values, data sources and references are omitted and replaced by generic substitutes where necessary.
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Khan, Lutfor Rahman. "Reliability estimation and risk-cost optimisation of underground pipelines." Thesis, University of Greenwich, 2014. http://gala.gre.ac.uk/12597/.
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The safety of infrastructure facilities is the primary objective of any civil engineering design. A large section of underground pipelines in the UK are classified as structurally deficient and functionally obsolete. Due to low visibility, condition assessment and rehabilitation of underground pipelines are frequently neglected until a catastrophic failure occurs. Providing an acceptable level of service and overcoming the practical difficulties, the concerned industry has to plan how to operate, maintain and renew (repair or replace) the pipeline systems under the budget constraints. This research is focused on estimating pipe reliability and deciding when and how interventions are needed to prevent unexpected failures of flexible underground metal pipelines subject to externally applied loadings and pipe material corrosion during the whole service life at the optimal cost. The time-dependent reliability due to corrosion induced excessive deflection, buckling, wall thrust and bending has been estimated. First, Hassofer-Lind and Rackwitz-Fiessler (HL-RF) algorithm and Monte Carlo Simulation (MCS) have been used to estimate the reliability. Then Subset Simulation (SS) method is developed to enhance the applicability, especially for small failure probability prediction. Accuracy prediction method, Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve has been introduced in this research to assess the accuracy of pipeline reliability analysis. Then the study has been extended to determine the intervention year for maintenance and identify the most appropriate renewal solution by optimising the risk of failure and life cycle cost, including carbon dioxide emissions mitigation cost, using Genetic Algorithm (GA). Optimisation technique, SS has also been developed for risk-cost optimisation of underground pipelines. Examples are presented to validate the proposed methods with a view to prevent unexpected failure of pipes by prioritising maintenance based on failure severity and system reliability. The proposed reliability estimation and risk-cost optimisation approach can be utilised to form a maintenance strategy and to avoid unexpected failure of pipeline networks during service life.
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Martins, Raphael dos Santos Veloso. "Cost-push channel of monetary policy: estimation and simulation." Universidade de São Paulo, 2011. http://www.teses.usp.br/teses/disponiveis/12/12138/tde-29032011-203758/.
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Essa dissertação investiga a existência de um canal de custos de política monetária. Para tanto, utiliza métodos econométricos e de simulação. No primeiro caso, três métodos diferentes são utilizados para a estimação com dados brasileiros de quatro especificações, sendo três delas além das estimadas na literatura. Os resultados obtidos indicam a presença do canal de custos quando essas outras especificações são consideradas. Logo, a literatura empírica existente pode ter subestimado a importância do canal de custo da transmissão monetária. Além disso, foi adaptado e simulado um modelo stock-flow, estudando-se seu comportamento quando são impostas mudanças exógenas nos juros. Neste exercício também foi ilustrada a possibilidade de operação do canal de custos.This dissertation investigates the existence of a cost-push channel of monetary policy. For this aim, it uses econometric and simulation methods. In the first case, three different methods are used for the estimation using Brazilian data of four specifications, three of them being unusual in the literature. The obtained results reveal the presence of the cost-push channel when these other specifications are considered. Hence the existing empirical literature may have underestimated the relevance of the cost-push channel of monetary transmission. Also, a stock-flow model was adapted and simulated, where we looked into its behavior when exogenous changes on the interest rate are imposed. In this exercise the possibility of the operation of the cost-push channel was also present.
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Clark, Michael. "A Framework for BIM Model-Based Construction Cost Estimation." DigitalCommons@CalPoly, 2019. https://digitalcommons.calpoly.edu/theses/1997.
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This thesis presents a framework to conduct a quantity take-off (QTO) and cost estimate within the Building Information Modeling (BIM) Environment. The product of this framework is a model-based cost estimating tool. The framework addresses the cost uncertainty associated with the detailed information defining BIM model element properties. This cost uncertainty is due to the lack of available tools that address detailed QTO and cost estimation using solely a BIM platform. In addition, cost estimators have little experience in leveraging and managing information within semantic-rich BIM models. Unmanaged BIM element parameters are considered a source of uncertainty in a model-based cost estimate, therefore they should be managed and quantified as work items.
A model-based system, which assists the estimators to conduct a QTO and cost estimate within the BIM environment, is developed. This system harnesses BIM element parameters to drive work items associated with the parameter’s host element. The system also captures the cost of scope not modeled in the design team’s BIM models. The system consists of four modules 1) establishing estimate requirements, 2) planning and structuring the estimate, 3) quantification and costing, and 4) model-based historical cost data collection. The complete system can produce a project cost estimate based on the 3D BIM Model.
This framework is supported by a computation engine built within an existing virtual design and construction (VDC) model review software. The computation engine supports BIM authoring and reviewing BIM data. The Framework’s quantification and costing module was compared to existing methods in a case study. The outcomes of the model-based system demonstrated improved cost estimate accuracy in comparison to the BIM QTO method and improved speed compared to the traditional methods. The framework provides a systematic workflow for conducting a detailed cost estimate leveraging the parameters stored in the BIM models.
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Joshi, Aniruddha V. "A Break-Down Model for Cost Estimation of Composites." Ohio University / OhioLINK, 2018. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1531152524644294.
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López, Revuelta Álvaro. "Orientation estimation and movement recognition using low cost sensors." Thesis, Blekinge Tekniska Högskola, Institutionen för tillämpad signalbehandling, 2017. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:bth-14949.
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Orientation estimation is a very well known topic in many fields such as in aerospace or robotics. However, the sensors used are usually very ex- pensive, heavy and big, which make them not suitable for IoT (Internet of Things) based applications. This thesis presents a study of how different sensor fusion algorithms perform in low cost hardware and in high acceler- ation scenarios. For this purpose, an Arduino MKR1000 is used together with an accelerometer, gyroscope and magnetometer. The objective of the thesis is to choose the most suitable algorithm for the purposed practical application, which consists on attaching the device to a moving object, such as a skate board or a bike. Once the orientation is estimated, a movement recognition algorithm that was developed is able to match what trick or movement was performed. The algorithm chosen was the Madgwick one with some minor adjustments, which uses quaternions for the estimation and is very resilient when the device is under strong external accelerations.