[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"detail-sidebar-cat-1-en-105":3,"doc-seo-239518-105":53,"doc-detail-239518-en":126},{"code":4,"msg":5,"data":6},0,"success",[7,14,19,24,29,34,39,44,49],{"id":8,"doc_module":9,"doc_module_name":10,"category_name":11,"show_sort_weight":12,"slug":13},11,1,"Template","Presentations",90,"presentations",{"id":15,"doc_module":9,"doc_module_name":10,"category_name":16,"show_sort_weight":17,"slug":18},12,"Resumes",80,"resumes",{"id":20,"doc_module":9,"doc_module_name":10,"category_name":21,"show_sort_weight":22,"slug":23},14,"Invoices",70,"invoices",{"id":25,"doc_module":9,"doc_module_name":10,"category_name":26,"show_sort_weight":27,"slug":28},15,"Posters",60,"posters",{"id":30,"doc_module":9,"doc_module_name":10,"category_name":31,"show_sort_weight":32,"slug":33},16,"Social Media",50,"social-media",{"id":35,"doc_module":9,"doc_module_name":10,"category_name":36,"show_sort_weight":37,"slug":38},17,"Forms",40,"forms",{"id":40,"doc_module":9,"doc_module_name":10,"category_name":41,"show_sort_weight":42,"slug":43},18,"Letters",30,"letters",{"id":45,"doc_module":9,"doc_module_name":10,"category_name":46,"show_sort_weight":47,"slug":48},21,"Paper Templates",5,"papers-templates",{"id":50,"doc_module":9,"doc_module_name":10,"category_name":51,"show_sort_weight":4,"slug":52},158,"General","general-158",{"code":4,"msg":54,"data":55},"ok",{"site_id":56,"language":57,"slug":58,"title":59,"keywords":60,"description":61,"schema_data":62,"social_meta":119,"head_meta":121,"extra_data":123,"updated_unix":125},105,"en","the-shortcomings-of-cost-estimating-templates-purpose-and-lean-six-sigma-improvements","The Shortcomings of Cost Estimating Templates - Purpose and Lean Six Sigma Improvements","","Cost estimating templates can create inefficient modeling through poorly defined assumptions, inadequate or irrelevant data, and missing supporting documentation. Inefficiency is further intensified by weak Excel techniques, poor data collection, and loss of institutional knowledge when personnel change. High variation stems from requirements volume, program complexity, and estimate type. The paper applies Lean Six Sigma’s DMAIC to define the problem, measure performance via data plans, analyze root causes with tools like fishbone diagrams, implement improved best practices, and maintain control through ongoing measurement.",{"@graph":63,"@context":118},[64,80,101],{"@type":65,"itemListElement":66},"BreadcrumbList",[67,71,74,77],{"item":68,"name":69,"@type":70,"position":9},"https://docshare.wps.com","Home","ListItem",{"item":72,"name":10,"@type":70,"position":73},"https://docshare.wps.com/template/",2,{"item":75,"name":11,"@type":70,"position":76},"https://docshare.wps.com/template/presentations/",3,{"item":78,"name":59,"@type":70,"position":79},"https://docshare.wps.com/template/the-shortcomings-of-cost-estimating-templates-purpose-and-lean-six-sigma-improvements/239518/",4,{"url":78,"name":59,"@type":81,"image":82,"author":87,"headline":59,"publisher":90,"fileFormat":93,"inLanguage":57,"description":61,"dateModified":94,"datePublished":95,"encodingFormat":93,"isAccessibleForFree":96,"interactionStatistic":97},"DigitalDocument",{"url":83,"@type":84,"width":85,"height":86},"https://docshare.wps.com/thumbnails/the-shortcomings-of-cost-estimating-templates-purpose-and-lean-six-sigma-improvements/239518.png","ImageObject",442,249,{"name":88,"@type":89},"Patrick","Person",{"url":68,"name":91,"@type":92},"DocShare","Organization","application/pdf","2026-10-27","2026-09-11",true,{"@type":98,"interactionType":99,"userInteractionCount":30},"InteractionCounter",{"@type":100},"ViewAction",{"@type":102,"mainEntity":103},"FAQPage",[104,110,114],{"name":105,"@type":106,"acceptedAnswer":107},"What are the main shortcomings of cost estimating templates highlighted in the paper?","Question",{"text":108,"@type":109},"The paper points to poorly defined assumptions, inadequate or irrelevant data, lack of supporting documentation, and bad Excel techniques. It also notes poor data collection and loss of institutional knowledge with staff changes.","Answer",{"name":111,"@type":106,"acceptedAnswer":112},"Why does the cost estimating process show high variation?",{"text":113,"@type":109},"Variation is linked to the number of requirements, program complexity, and the type of estimate used. These factors influence how modeling outcomes differ across projects.",{"name":115,"@type":106,"acceptedAnswer":116},"How does the paper use Lean Six Sigma to improve the cost estimating process?",{"text":117,"@type":109},"It applies the DMAIC cycle: define the problem and goal, measure current performance and data collection, analyze root causes using process examination and fishbone diagrams, implement best solutions and improvements, then control results while continuously improving through measurement.","https://schema.org",{"og:url":78,"og:type":120,"og:title":59,"og:site_name":91,"og:description":61},"article",{"robots":122,"canonical":78},"index,follow",{"doc_id":124,"site_id":56},239518,1791747757,{"code":4,"msg":5,"data":127},{"doc_id":124,"user_id":128,"nickname":88,"user_avatar":129,"doc_module":9,"category_id":8,"category_name":11,"doc_title":59,"doc_description":61,"doc_content":130,"file_id":131,"file_url":132,"file_type":133,"file_size":134,"view_count":30,"is_deleted":4,"is_public":9,"is_downloadable":9,"audit_status":9,"page_count":135,"language":136,"language_code":57,"site_id":56,"html_lang":57,"table_of_contents":137,"faqs":138,"seo_title":139,"seo_description":61,"update_tm":140,"read_time":141},549758146520,"https://ap-avatar.wpscdn.com/avatar/80002397d8c0411e94?_k=1775819394049821470","The Shortcomings of Cost Estimating Templates  \nMeagan Gadreault, Faye Kim June 7, 2017  \nPurpose  \nEstimates are created inefficiently, and Lean Six Sigma techniques can be used to:  \n• Identify the causes of inefficient cost estimate modeling;  \n• Propose a method to improve efficiency;  \n• Discuss future efforts incorporating the recommendations outlined in this paper.  \nHerren Associates, Inc.  \nIdentifier  \nMeagan Gadreault, Faye Kim ICEAA 2017 Portland  \nIntroduction  \nStandardization DoD  \nHerren Associates, Inc.  \nIdentifier  \nMeagan Gadreault, Faye Kim ICEAA 2017 Portland  \nThe cost estimating process can take along time and has many steps???  \nProject Kickoff  \nData Collection  \nData Analysis  \nProduct Delivery  \nHerren Associates, Inc.  \nIdentifier  \nMeagan Gadreault, Faye Kim ICEAA 2017 Portland  \nThe DMAIC process can be used to improve the cost estimating process.  \nDEFINE  \nMEASURE  \nANALYZE  \nIMPROVE  \nCONTROL  \nDefine the problem you would like to fix and create the goal.  \nDetermine how the process is currently performing and a plan to collect data.  \nIdentify the cause of the problem and examine the process.  \nBrainstorm possible solutions and implement the best solution.  \nMaintain the solution and continuously improve the process.  \nHerren Associates, Inc.  \nIdentifier  \nMeagan Gadreault, Faye Kim ICEAA 2017 Portland  \nThe cost estimating process is inefficient.   \nPoorly defined assumptions  \nInadequate or irrelevant data  \nNo supporting documentation  \nBad Excel techniques  \nPoor data collection  \nLoss of institutional knowledge with changes  \nHerren Associates, Inc.  \nIdentifier  \nMeagan Gadreault, Faye Kim ICEAA 2017 Portland  \nThere is a high degree of variation in the cost estimating process.  \nNumber of requirements  \nComplexity of program  \nType of estimate  \nHerren Associates, Inc.  \nIdentifier  \nMeagan Gadreault, Faye Kim ICEAA 2017 Portland  \nIdeally, the data collection process would measure performance.  \nHerren Associates, Inc.  \nIdentifier  \nMeagan Gadreault, Faye Kim ICEAA 2017 Portland  \nA fishbone diagram can identify “many possible causes for an effect or a problem.”  \nHerren Associates, Inc.  \nIdentifier  \nMeagan Gadreault, Faye Kim ICEAA 2017 Portland  \nTo improve cost estimating, we will identify current waste and define potential solutions.  \nResults of the fishbone diagram  \nProposed list of best practices  \nAnalysis of current template implementation  \nPlan to measure  \nsuccess  \nHerren Associates, Inc.  \nIdentifier  \nMeagan Gadreault, Faye Kim ICEAA 2017 Portland","cbCaiexeNJqvVe14","https://ap.wps.com/l/cbCaiexeNJqvVe14","pdf",1051375,25,"English","# Purpose\n## Inefficiency and root causes\n## DMAIC approach (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control)\n## Variation drivers and data collection\n## Results and proposed best practices","[{\"question\":\"What are the main shortcomings of cost estimating templates highlighted in the paper?\",\"answer\":\"The paper points to poorly defined assumptions, inadequate or irrelevant data, lack of supporting documentation, and bad Excel techniques. It also notes poor data collection and loss of institutional knowledge with staff changes.\"},{\"question\":\"Why does the cost estimating process show high variation?\",\"answer\":\"Variation is linked to the number of requirements, program complexity, and the type of estimate used. These factors influence how modeling outcomes differ across projects.\"},{\"question\":\"How does the paper use Lean Six Sigma to improve the cost estimating process?\",\"answer\":\"It applies the DMAIC cycle: define the problem and goal, measure current performance and data collection, analyze root causes using process examination and fishbone diagrams, implement best solutions and improvements, then control results while continuously improving through measurement.\"}]","The Shortcomings of Cost Estimating Templates - Purpose and Lean Six Sigma Improvements | PDF",1789149963,9]