SIB Models & Tools
The Strategic Insights and Budget (SIB) provides models and tools to the entire NASA community. By providing estimators and analysts with the latest in modeling, SID strives to progress the entire field within NASA to better support current and future missions. Models and tools are often provided free-of-charge and may be developed entirely in-house by NASA employees, or licensed from commercial vendors. Below is a listing of the most commonly used and distributed models.
In-House Models & Tools
ASCoT – Analogy Software Costing Tool
ASCoT is a web-based tool for estimating the lines-of-code, development cost, and development effort months for NASA robotic flight software. ASCoT contains multiple methodologies to analyze uncrewed flight software and relies on high level technical and mission level inputs to produce estimates making it extremely useful for early concept and formulation phases. The methodologies in ASCoT are based are more than 50 individual NASA missions.
POC: James K. Johnson, NASA HQ, ASCOT@jpl.nasa.gov
NASA Access Instructions: Online Web-application via ONCE
COMPACT – CubeSat or MicroSat Probabilistic Analysis Costing Tool
COMPACT is a web-based tool for estimating the development cost of NASA CubeSats. COMPACT is a new effort to develop a first-ever parametric estimating tool for CubeSats based on NASA historical data. COMPACT utilizes multiple methodologies to provide development cost estimates and is based on more than 25 NASA CubeSat missions.
POC: James K. Johnson, NASA HQ, COMPACT@jpl.nasa.gov
NASA Access Instructions: Online Web-application via ONCE
MOCET – Mission Operations Cost Estimating Tool
The Mission Operations Cost Estimation Tool (MOCET) is a model developed by the Aerospace Corporation in partnership with NASAs Science Office for Mission Assessment (SOMA). MOCET provides a new capability to generate cost estimates for the operational, or Phase E, portion of NASA science missions. The model implements new Cost Estimating Relationships (CERs) that were derived from historical data for various mission operation stages as applicable to the Planetary Science, Earth Science, and Astrophysics/Heliophysics Explorer missions.
POC: MOCET@aero.org
NASA Access Instructions: Available via NASA Software Catalog and Download via ONCE
NICM – NASA Instrument Cost Model
NICM is a parametric estimating tool for instruments based on historical NASA projects. NICM estimates cost and schedule for new developments utilizing key technical parameters such as mass. NICM can provide system level and subsystem level cost estimates, development schedule duration estimates, and joint confidence level analysis for instruments. The methodologies in NICM are based are more than 260 historical instruments.
POC: James K. Johnson, NASA HQ, NICM@jpl.nasa.gov
NASA Access Instructions: Available via NASA Software Catalog and Download via ONCE
ONCE/CADRe – ONCE NASA Cost Estimating Database and the Cost Analysis Data Requirements
CADRe is a formal data collection process and is codified as a requirement in NPR 7120.5. CADRe data is collected at multiple milestones during the Project lifecycle and includes a CADRe Part A, Part B, and Part C. ONCE (One NASA Cost Engineering) is a database of the CADRe data, other useful information, and models/tools for the entire NASA community.
CADRe POC: Eric Plumer, NASA HQ
ONCE POC: James K. Johnson, NASA HQ, hq-oncesupport@mail.nasa.gov
NASA Access Instructions: How to request ONCE Access (PDF)
PCEC – Project Cost Estimating Capability
PCEC is a detailed library of estimating methodologies and a transparent framework for developing project cost estimates. PCEC contains the most current NASA CERs across a wide variety of WBS elements. PCEC is based on the CADRe data and includes a transparent normalization process for users.
POC: Andy Prince, MSFC, MSFC-PCEC@mail.nasa.gov
NASA Access Instructions: Available via NASA Software Catalog and Download via ONCE (NASA CS Only)
SMART – Schedule Management and Relationship Tool
SMART combines analogy-based and parametric crosscheck methods to estimate the development schedule for unmanned spacecraft projects from Authority to Proceed (ATP) to Launch. SMART incorporates existing Schedule Estimating Relationships (SERs) developed for NASA as a convenient cross-check.
POC: Robin Smith, NASA HQ, hq-scope@mail.nasa.gov
NASA Access Instructions: Download via ONCE
Commercial Models & Tools
ACEIT – Automated Cost Estimating Integrated Tools
Company: Tecolote Research, Inc.
Description: ACEIT is a family of applications that support program managers and cost/financial analysts during all phases of a program’s life-cycle. ACE is the heart of the estimation suite and allows users to build customizable models with built-in risk analysis features for estimators and a high-performance calculation engine. JACS is compatible with both MS Project and Primavera and supports schedule risk analysis and joint confidence level analysis. CO$TAT provides data analytics and statistical analysis capabilities such as multivariate regression.
Website: http://www.aceit.com
POC: aceit_support@tecolote.com
NASA Access Instructions: Download via ONCE
Argo
Company: Booz Allen Hamilton
Description: ARGO generation of program analysis software. Polaris™ not only helps you fully integrate a program’s cost, schedule, and risk variables, but also runs simulations at the speed at which decisions are made, making your organization smarter.
Website: http://boozallen.github.io/argo/
POC: polaris@bah.com
NASA Access Instructions: Free via GitHub or Download via ONCE
Cobra
Company: Deltek
Description: Cobra is an Earned Value Management (EVM) engine that provides data to the EVM analysis tools, such as Empower. Cobra stores time-phased budget data and is where project actuals are loaded. Cobra can also calculate different EAC models that can be easily customized. It contains the WBS, control accounts, and work packages that make up a project. It has options for customizable fields and files that can be used in what-if scenarios.
Website: https://info.deltek.com/Deltek-Cobra
POC: david.c.warren@nasa.gov
NASA Access Instructions: Contact POC or visit NASA EVM website
Empower
Company: Encore Analytics
Description: Empower™ is a web based analytical tool that integrates earned value, schedule, work authorization, and other key performance data to enable proactive management of complex projects. Empower™ features an attractive and powerful user interface that provides immediate productivity gains for users. Integrated schedule Gantt view which integrates the cost and schedule data for traceability. Charts and reports that can be used on a total project or one element at a time.
Website: https://www.encore-analytics.com/
POC: david.c.warren@nasa.gov
NASA Access Instructions: Contact POC or visit NASA EVM website
Fuse
Company: Deltek
Description: Fuse is a metric analysis and visualization tool that assesses quality of schedules, accuracy of cost forecasts, realism of risk models, earned value and project performance, providing a unique insight into how to improve project plans and execution strategies
Website: https://www.deltek.com/en/products/project-and-portfolio-management/acumen/modules/acumen-fuse
POC: NASA Schedule Community of Practice (SCoPE), hq-scope@mail.nasa.gov
NASA Access Instructions: Download via NASA EUSO Software Center (NASA computers only)
Polaris
Company: Booz Allen Hamilton
Description: The next generation of program analysis software. Polaris™ not only helps you fully integrate a program’s cost, schedule, and risk variables, but also runs simulations at the speed at which decisions are made, making your organization smarter.
POC: polaris@bah.com
NASA Access Instructions: Download via ONCE
PRICE
Company: PRICE Systems, LLC.
Description: PRICE Cost Models are based on historic project data verified and validated by extensive PRICE® Research™ analysis and refinement and PRICE True Planning is a cost estimating framework designed to reduce the time and expense required to satisfy credible, data-driven parametric estimating needs at all levels of an organization.
Website: http://www.pricesystems.com
POC: Charles.D.Hunt@nasa.gov
NASA Access Instructions: Download via ONCE
SEER
Company: Galorath Inc.
Description: SEER by Galorath project management tools provide project planning, project estimating, project tracking, and project cost management software for Software, Hardware and Electronics Systems, Manufacturing, and Information Technology.
Website: http://www.galorath.com
POC: Charles.D.Hunt@nasa.gov
NASA Access Instructions: Request via email to Charles.D.Hunt@nasa.gov
Working Groups
NASA Cost Integrated Product Team (CIPT)
The NASA CIPT is designed to bring together a multidisciplinary group of NASA and industry professionals who are collectively involved in, and responsible for, products in the fields of cost estimating, procurement, and resource analysis. Members represent NASA and industry partners as customers, acquisition professionals, contractors, management, engineers, and analysts.
Next meeting: TBA, contact: Trinity.B.Bharath@nasa.gov