INFORMING DATA SELECTION FOR SATELLITE SUBSYSTEMS COST ESTIMATING RELATIONSHIPS

Abstract

This paper seeks to improve the cost estimating piece of the resource management function for defense satellites. It provides guidelines to facilitate data selection decisions when developing satellite Cost Estimating Relationships (CERs). Over the years, there have been transformations in satellite sizes, shapes, orbits, and mission requirements. Cost practitioners must make decisions on how to model and/or segregate data by these characteristics when developing their estimates. This paper provides a flowchart for practitioners to follow when making data decisions for their CERs. It is recommended that cost practitioners initially filter by mission or orbit types. The subsequent level of separation suggests filtering based on shape, but the loss of data points may make this infeasible in some instances. Satellite size is also considered, but not recommended.

Keywords

• cost estimating
• cost modeling
• data selection
• defense budgets