IPA has developed both public and company-specific courses focused on improving estimate development throughout Industry. The courses discuss the deliverables and estimate development needed at various stages of a project’s definition phase, moving from feasibility estimates to authorization/control estimates. In addition, the course highlights the importance of estimate and schedule integration. The course provides an opportunity to analyze the strengths and weaknesses of authorized estimates and schedules to provide hands-on experience and a better understanding of the necessary inputs to create a clear path for any project team.
Different owner organizations and contractors have sent representatives to these trainings for a number of different reasons in the past. For example, an organization may be looking for ideas on how to improve, which may be gained through the discussion of typical industry approaches and methods. By identifying the gaps in your company’s cost and schedule development process or system, your organization will begin to become more efficient in its use of capital. In addition, this course has been used by companies as training for new employees.