Includes ACE, CO$TAT and POST Tools

COURSE LENGTH: 4 Days (8:30am - 4:30pm)

PREREQUISITES: Students must have basic knowledge of algebra, spreadsheet operations, and the cost estimating process and underlying principles (e.g., WBS, learning curves, inflation indices, estimating methodologies, project planning/financial management).

OBJECTIVE: This is an introductory course to help you build estimates using the ACEIT software.  You will become familiar with the tools in the software suite and explore the interaction between them.  Understand the structure of ACE and how it standardizes cost estimate modeling, what if analysis, and reporting.  In addition, you will learn the syntax of ACE equations, and how ACE imports from CO$TAT and other tools.  At the completion of the course you will be able to construct a WBS; develop a simple cost estimate; apply inflation, learning, time-phasing methods; create reports in ACE; and generate reports in POST.

ACEIT 101 Course Outline:

Day One

Setting Up an Estimate Structure
* Opening ACE and Building a WBS

Basic Methodology Implementation
* Entering Input Variables
* Entering Phased Data
* Entering an Equation
* Phasing Data/Cost Over Time
* Entering Time-Phased Dollar Throughputs

Day Two

Building an Estimate
* Spreading Totals with Time Phasing Methods
* Incorporating Learning Curves
* Implementing Shared Learning
* Bounding Equations to Calculate over Time

Entering Documentation
* Documenting the Estimate

Model Revision and Debugging
* Revising Models and Debugging

Day Three

1st Level Model Automation
* Syntax of ACE Equations
* Using Functions to Automate Estimates 

Using and Developing CERs
* Entering a CER
* Using the CER Library
* Using CO$TAT to develop CERs
* Incorporating Cost Adjustments

Day Four

Working with Estimate Results: Creating Estimate Excursions, Running Reports and Applying Cost Risk

* Conducting Excursions
* Creating Reports
* Introduction to POST Excel
* Applying Risk to an Estimate