W8.1_Hilal_Estimating Cost At Completion (Part 1)

Problem Recognition

As we are approximately in the middle of PMP course duration, it is important to forecast the cost and time for the coming weeks. With this, we can give the client some comfort on how the project is going to go. Moreover, another objective of this and coming blogs is to be able to use different tools and techniques that can be used to present different scenarios to the management.

Feasible alternative

The Guild of Project Controls Compendium and Reference suggest using three main furcating/ estimation techniques:

-       Independent estimate at completion (IEACs)

-       Monte Carlo Simulation

-       Best Fit

Outcomes of IEAC Alternative

·         IEAC5 = ACWP + (BAC – BCWP)

·         IEAC1 = ACWP + ((BAC – BCWP) / CPI)

·         IEAC2 = ACWP + ((BAC – BCWP) / SPI)

·         IEAC3 = ACWP + ((BAC – BCWP) / CPI * SPI)

·         IEAC4 = ACWP + ((BAC – BCWP) / ((0.2 * SPI) + (0.8 * CPI))

Method	Assumption	Comment
IEAC1	Both CPI and SPI values are equal to 1. This is basically the optimistic approach.
IEAC2	Future cost performance will be the same as all past cost performance	“Best Case” when CPI is below 1.00 / “Worst Case” when CPI above 1.00
IEAC3	Future cost performance will be influenced by past schedule performance.	Use with caution as SPI is diluted by LOE and loses accuracy over last third of the project
IEAC4	Future cost performance will be influenced by past schedule and cost performance.	In contrast to IEAC2, this calculation typically yields the “Worst Case” (pessimistic) when the CPI and SPI are below 1.00.
IEAC5	Similar to IEAC4, except increased weight, is placed on CPI.	More reliable than IEAC4 late in a project since less weight is given to SPI

Table 1: Outcomes and Assumptions for Each IEAC.

Analysis of Alternative

The table below shows the current progress of the PMP course project:

Table 2: Up to W6 PMP Course Progress

Now we calculate the independent estimate at completion (IEACs):

Table 3: Calculations of IEACs for Each Project

Using PERT formula to calculate select the best value of estimate at completion:

Table 4: PERT Formula Calculations

Figure1: Distribution curve of the results.

Selection of Preferred Alternative:

Since we are discussing which method to select, the preferred alternative will be selected once all the methods have been discussed in the future blogs.

Tracking/ reporting plan

The next step is to do the same analysis using different estimation methods (i.e. Monet Carlo, Best Fit). This method can then be applied to our forecasts of project completion and present this to the management based on the confidence level they choose.

Reference

Stephen, J. (2017).W10_SJP_Forecasts Part 2. Retrieved from https://js-pag-cert-2017.com/w10_sjp_forecasts-part-2/

Guild of Project Controls. (2015). GUILD OF PROJECT CONTROLS COMPENDIUM and REFERENCE (CaR) | Project Controls – planning, scheduling, cost management and forensic analysis (Planning Planet). Retrieved from http://www.planningplanet.com/guild/gpccar/assess-prioritize-and-quantify-risks-opportunities

National Defense Industrial Association. (2014). A Guide to managing programs using predictive measures. Retrieved from http://www.earnedschedule.com/Docs/NDIA%20Predictive%20Measures%20Guide.pdf