DEFENSE ACQUISITION UNIVERSITY
EMPLOYEE SELF-ASSESSMENT
BCF 102 - Earned Value Management
090223
Competency
Competency Achieved? Work Description/Justification
Yes No
1 Define the basic elements of
performance measurement
2 Identify the purpose and specific
elements of the Work Breakdown
Structure (WBS)
3 Recognize the relationship between
the Work breakdown structure (WBS),
Organization Breakdown structure
(OBS) and Responsibility Assignment
Matrix (RAM)
4 Recognize different scheduling
techniques and their characteristics
5 Recall the relationship of budget to the
performance measurement system
6 Recall the purpose and elements of
the performance measurement
baseline (PMB)
7 Identify the elements and purpose of a
Control Account
8 Identify methods to measure project
performance consistent with EVM
Guidelines (EIA-748) and common
practice
9 Recall information the accounting
system must provide to facilitate EVM
10 Identify the impact of cost and
schedule variances at the control
account level
11 Estimate the cost to complete a project
using earned value data
12 Recall the impacts of external and
internal changes on performance
measurement baseline (PMB)
13 Recognize the issues involved in
maintaining a valid performance
measurement baseline (PMB) in the
face of programmatic changes and
performance variances
14 Identify types of, and uses for external
reports.
15 Identify graphic charts for presenting
performance reports
16 Recall major contracting processes as
they relate to EVM
17 Recall the purpose, objectives and
team composition for an Integrated
baseline Review (IBR)
18 Identify key elements in EVMS
Surveillance
19 Recall the key roles and
responsibilities for surveillance plan
execution
20 Recognize the elements of the EVM
(compliant) program
DEFENSE ACQUISITION UNIVERSITY
EMPLOYEE SELF-ASSESSMENT
BCF103 – Fundamentals of Business Financial Management
090223
Competency
Competency Achieved? Work Description/Justification
Yes No
1 Determine when various cost
estimates are required to be prepared,
what estimating methodology is most
appropriate, and what cost data is of
interest to various program
stakeholders given situational
information for an acquisition program.
Define the following financial
management terms: Budget,
Authorization, Appropriation, Budget
Authority, Commitment, Obligation,
Expenditure and Outlay.
Define the following terms as they
apply to defense acquisition
programs: flyaway cost,
development cost, weapon system
cost, procurement cost, program
acquisition cost, life-cycle cost, and
total ownership cost.
Describe the following ways of
presenting acquisition program life-
cycle cost and the stakeholders
most interested in each approach:
appropriations, work breakdown
structure, and cost categories.
Describe the basic concepts of
affordability and the philosophy of
Cost as an Independent Variable
(CAIV).
Recall when, how, and why an
Analysis of Alternatives is prepared
for a defense acquisition program.
Identify when and why each of the
following documents is required for
ACAT I and ACAT IA acquisition
programs: Life-Cycle Cost Estimate,
Economic Analysis, Component
Cost Analysis, Independent Cost
Estimate, and Cost Analysis
Requirements Description.
Define the roles, responsibilities and
perspectives of the organizations
that participate in the cost
estimating and review process.
Define each of the following cost
estimating methods: analogy,
parametric, engineering, and actual
costs.
Determine the cost estimating
method most appropriate for use in
a given situation.
Estimate the learning curve for a
production process and the number
of labor hours required for a future
production unit.
Describe the concept of Activity
Based Costing and its use in DoD.
2 Relate a defense acquisition program's
cost estimate to its programming and
budgeting requirements.
Identify the purpose(s) for which
each of the major appropriation
categories of interest to the defense
acquisition community (RDT&E,
Procurement, O&M, MILCON, and
MILPERS) may be used.
Identify the funding policy (annual,
incremental, or full) that applies to
each of the five major appropriation
categories of interest to the defense
acquisition community (RDT&E,
Procurement, O&M, MILCON, and
MILPERS).
Describe the three major funding
policies used in the defense
acquisition financial management
community (annual, incremental and
full).
Recognize situations where
exceptions to the funding policies
are appropriate for the major
appropriation categories of RDT&E,
Procurement and O&M.
Identify the most appropriate time-
phased cost estimate and budget
request for RDT&E funds for a given
program description.
Identify the most appropriate time-
phased cost estimate and budget
request for Procurement funds for a
given program description.
Identify the proper appropriation
used to fund each of the three
phases (development, production,
and installation) of a product
improvement effort.
Describe the concept of revolving
funds and the impact of revolving
fund activities on acquisition
program budgets.
Relate constant (base year) dollars
and then year dollars to each other
and to the preparation of program
cost and budget estimates.
3 Explain the budgeting implications of
various types of contracts, given
situational information.
Identify the characteristics of each
of these types of fixed-price
contracts: firm fixed-price, fixed-
price - economic price adjustment,
and fixed-price incentive fee (firm
target).
Identify the budgeting policy for
each of these types of fixed-priced
contracts: firm fixed-price, fixed-
price - economic price adjustment,
and fixed-price incentive fee (fi rm
target).
Identify the characteristics of each
of these types of cost-reimbursable
contracts: cost plus fixed fee, cost
plus award fee, and cost plus
incentive fee.
Identify the budgeting policy for
each of these types of cost-
reimbursable contracts: cost plus
fixed fee, cost plus award fee, and
cost plus incentive fee.
Describe the concepts of
termination liability and cancellation
ceiling and the budgeting policies
that apply to each.
Identify the purpose of Earned
Value Management (EVM) and its
application to various types of
contracts.
Describe how Earned Value data
can be used to estimate the budget
requirements of a contract.
4 Explain the Planning, Programming,
Budgeting, and Execution (PPBE)
process, to include the relationship of
each phase to the systems acquisition
process.
Recall the primary purpose of each
of the three phases of the PPBE
process.
Identify the inter-relationship
between PPBE and the Defense
Acquisition System.
Identify the purpose, contents and
three major dimensions of the
Future Years Defense Program
(FYDP).
Identify the purpose of Major Force
Programs and Program Elements
and their relationship to the Future
Years Defense Program.
Identify the principal players, major
activities, timeline, and primary
inputs and products of the Planning
phase of PPBE.
Identify the principal players, major
activities, timeline, and primary
inputs and products of the
Programming phase of PPBE.
Identify the principal players, major
activities, timeline, and primary
inputs and products of the
Budgeting phase of PPBE.
Recognize the significant issues
that concern the OSD Budget
Analyst during his/her review of
budget justification documentation.
Recognize reasons that acquisition
programs may lose funding during
the PPBE process.
Recall the characteristics of a good
reclama or impact statement.
5 Relate the budget exhibits (that is,
budget justification documentation)
prepared by acquisition program
offices to the budget review process
conducted during the budgeting phase
of PPBE.
Recognize the roles and
responsibilities of the players
involved in the preparation and
review of budget exhibits prior to
their submission to Congress.
Identify the purpose, content and
conditions requiring submission of
the R-1 budget exhibit.
Identify the purpose, content and
conditions requiring submission of
the R-2 and R-2a budget exhibits.
Identify the purpose, content and
conditions requiring submission of
the R-3 budget exhibit.
Identify the purpose, content and
conditions requiring submission of
the R-4 and R-4a budget exhibits.
Identify the purpose, content and
conditions requiring submission of
the P-1 budget exhibit.
Identify the purpose, content and
conditions requiring submission of
the P-40 and P-40a budget exhibits.
Identify the purpose, content and
conditions requiring submission of
the P-3a budget exhibit.
Identify the purpose, content and
conditions requiring submission of
the P-5 budget exhibit.
Identify the purpose, content and
conditions requiring submission of
the P-5a budget exhibit.
Identify the purpose, content and
conditions requiring submission of
the P-21 budget exhibit.
6 Describe the congressional processes
leading to a budget resolution,
Authorization Act and Appropriation
Act, and the implications of those
process outcomes to defense
acquisition programs.
Identify the roles of key DoD and
Service organizations that provide
liaison to the congressional
committees during the budget
enactment process.
Describe the budget resolution
phase of the congressional budget
enactment process.
Describe the authorization phase of
the congressional budget enactment
process.
Describe the appropriations phase
of the congressional budget
enactment process.
Determine to whom and for what
amount DOD may appeal a
committee mark under the general
rules of appeal to congressional
marks.
Recognize when a Continuing
Resolution is required, what it
provides and what restrictions it
places on program operations.
Recognize when a program is
considered to be a "New Start."
Identify the purpose, applicability,
and frequency of submission of the
Selected Acquisition Report, Unit
Cost Report and Defense
Acquisition Executive Summary.
7 Explain the budget execution process,
including legal concerns and the
potential impact of poor budget
execution.
Describe how a defense acquisition
program receives budget authority
through the apportionment process.
Recall the rules for using the
deferral and rescission provisions of
the Budget and Impoundment
Control Act of 1974.
Describe the funds execution
process and problems that may
arise during the process.
Identify the purposes and contents
of obligation plans and expenditure
plans.
Recognize when and how an
acquisition program may be
impacted by unfavorable execution
of its obligation and expenditure
plans.
Identify the purpose and contents of
the Contract Funds Status Report
(CFSR).
Describe the DoD rules governing
commitments.
Describe the DoD rules governing
obligations.
Identify when an appropriation is
current, expired, or cancelled.
Identify violations of the
Misappropriation Act, the Anti-
deficiency Act, and the Bona Fide
Need Rule.
Recognize the various categories of
re-programmings, including the
approval authorities and the types of
reprogramming actions covered by
each category.
Describe the rules governing the
use of funds during each of the
three phases of an appropriation's
life-cycle.
Identify the threshold amounts and
level of control for each
appropriation category for below-
threshold reprogramming.
8 Describe the financial manager’s role
in acquisition program management
with respect to the acquisition strategy
and monitoring of contract execution.
Identify the aspects of the
acquisition strategy relevant to
financial management.
Recognize the sections of the
uniform contract format that contain
information relevant to financial
management.
Identify the purpose of the
Statement of Work and the
Statement of Objectives.
DEFENSE ACQUISITION UNIVERSITY
EMPLOYEE SELF-ASSESSMENT
BCF 106 - Fundementals of Cost Analysis
090223
Competency
Competency Achieved? Work Description/Justification
Yes No
1 List and define the elements of a life
cycle cost estimate.
Describe the purpose of various life
cycle cost estimates (POE, CCA,
SCP, ICE) and the organization
responsible for each estimate.
Discuss the cost estimating
process; to include the Cost
Analysis Requirements Description
(CARD), work breakdown structures
(WBS) and cost element structures
(CES), and the various
methodologies used for cost
estimating.
2 Describe the considerations for
determining the contract type.
Compare and contrast different
contracting arrangements.
Determine the share ratio and the
final price under an incentive
contract arrangement
3 Compare and contrast direct and
indirect costs.
Describe and define the categories
of labor and materials costs.
Describe other elements of cost
which include: (2) other direct costs;
(2) general and administrative costs;
(2) cost of money; and (2) profit or
fee.
4 Discuss the concept of inflation and
inflation indices.
Define inflation terminology such as
base year, constant year, then year,
and the raw, compound, composite,
and weighted inflation indices.
Convert a dollar value from one
base to another using the correct
indices and operations.
5 Define and calculate the measures of
central tendency (i.e. the mean,
median, and mode).
Define and calculate the measures
of dispersion (i.e. the range,
variance, standard deviation, and
coefficient of variation).
Determine an area of probability
under a normal distribution.
Calculate confidence intervals for
both small and large sample sizes
Perform one-tailed and two-tailed
hypothesis tests
6 Discuss the uses of expert opinion and
the techniques used to interview
experts.
Discuss the procedures and
techniques involved in the
development and application of cost
factors
Discuss the procedures and
techniques involved in the
development of an analogy.
7 Calculate the coefficients for a linear
equation.
Interpret and apply a linear
equation.
Calculate and explain the coefficient
of determination.
Calculate and explain the standard
error and the coefficient of variation.
Determine the statistical
significance of an equation.
Discuss the development and use of
a log linear (power) equation.
Compare and contrast the statistics
of a linear and log linear equation
8 Describe the concept of a learning
curve or what we might call cost
improvement.
Calculate and interpret the
components of the unit learning
curve equation.
Develop the equation of a learning
curve from a data set.
Calculate the cost of a unit using the
unit learning curve formulation.
Calculate the total cost or average
cost of a lot using a unit formulation
table
9 Identify and define various elements of
software design and development
Identify and define software cost
drivers.
Identify and describe the
characteristics and limitations of
software cost estimating techniques
and models.
10 Describe the process of developing a
budget plan
Explain the general appropriation
principles such as incremental
funding, full funding, and annual
funding, and
Discuss some of the special funding
issues such as multi-year
procurement, low rate initial
production, and product
improvement.
11 Describe risk and the process of risk
management.
Describe and perform a Sensitivity
Analysis
Describe and perform a Symmetric
Approximation.
Describe the Monte Carlo
Simulation and compare it to other
approaches.
12 Define the concept of an Economic
Analysis within the Department of
Defense.
Explain the concept of discounting,
including the construction of
discount factors
Describe the EA process and
associated terminology.
Develop a cash flow diagram (CFD)
for an alternative.
Determine the NPV of a cash flow
Calculate the Uniform Annual Cost
of a cash flow.
DEFENSE ACQUISITION UNIVERSITY
EMPLOYEE SELF-ASSESSMENT
BCF 107 - Applied Cost Analysis
090223
Competency
Competency Achieved? Work Description/Justification
Yes No
1 Assess the impacts on the cost
estimate due to changes in economic
year, quantity, scope, schedule,
engineering design, and estimating
methodology.
Discuss six major factors associated
with changes in cost estimates.
Determine the circumstances for the
application of six different cost
estimating methodologies.
Describe the adjustments necessary
to revise the economic year of the
estimate and perform the associated
calculations.
2 Apply non-statistical estimating
techniques in scenario based
problems.
Prepare an analogy estimate.
Outline the process for conducting
an expert interview.
Construct and apply cost factors.4
KSP
3 Prepare graphical and numerical data
analysis in Microsoft Excel.
Construct and interpret histograms
and scatterplots from a data set.
Formulate and interpret the
descriptive statistics for a data set.
Formulate and interpret the
confidence interval for the mean.
4 Prepare simple linear regression
analysis in Microsoft Excel.
Analyze the appropriate function to
fit a given data set using graphical
analysis.
Formulate and interpret simple
linear regression statistics.
Calculate an estimate using simple
linear regression.
5 Prepare nonlinear regression analysis
in Microsoft Excel.
Determine the appropriate function
to fit a given data set using
graphical analysis.
Formulate and interpret log-linear
regression statistics.
Calculate an estimate using
nonlinear regression.
6 Prepare nonlinear regression in
Microsoft Excel to model the
relationships between cost and
quantity.
Use nonlinear regression to project
the unit cost at different quantity
levels in a quantity discount
application.
Develop the unit learning curve
formula from a set of lot data .
Apply the unit learning curve
formula to determine the cost of a
future lot.
DEFENSE ACQUISITION UNIVERSITY
EMPLOYEE SELF-ASSESSMENT
BCF 203 – Intermediate Earned Value Management Course
090226
Competency
Competency Achieved? Work Description/Justification
Yes No
1 Describe the major topics, concepts,
and assessment requirements of the
IEVMC curriculum, courseware, and
the hypothetical Lightweight Assault
Reconnaissance (LAR) Vehicle
program.
Recognize the LAR simulation
courseware structure by using the
Lesson 1 IEVMC courseware.
Prepare a briefing that describes
LAR program requirements and
risks justifying the use of EVM as an
appropriate program management
tool by using the IEVMC courseware
and Microsoft Office applications,
Complete a knowledge level EVM
pretest, identifying individual EVM
knowledge gaps.
2 Apply DoD EVM policy to assemble
the EVM, cost estimating (CE), and
financial management (FM) elements
of an acquisition strategy.
Collect EVM, CE, and FM
acquisition planning guidance from
the AT&L Knowledge Sharing
System, the ACC EVM Community
of Practice (EVM CoP), and the
Defense Cost and Resource Center
(DCARC).
Recommend and defend the
contract type for the LAR EMD
contract.
Select statement of work
paragraphs for implementing earned
value management.
Apply the MIL-HDBK-881 to
complete the WBS section of a
CSDR Plan for the LAR.
Choose the appropriate EVM
clauses and EVM, CE, and FM data
items to include in an RFP.
Summarize EVM source selection
and award fee considerations.
3 Given the 32 ANSI/EIA-748 EVM
guidelines, a student will be able to
discuss the meaning and importance
of each and the DoD process for
validating EVM systems.
Classify the 32 ANSI / EIA -748
guidelines into the five ANSI
categories.
Match key elements of the nine
EVM business processes to the 32
ANSI / EIA -748 guidelines.
Describe DoD EVMS validation
verses DoD compliance
Summarize the DoD EVMS
validation process steps.
Identify the organizational
responsibilities for EVMS validation.
4 Identify the planning, organizing,
executing, and follow-up of an
Integrated Baseline Review using the
Increda internal documents and mock
CAM interviews.
Describe the DoD Integrated
Baseline Review (IBR) policy &
process.
Explain the Performance
Measurement Baseline (PMB)
development process.
Specify roles and responsibilities for
IBR team members.
Compute control account EVM
variable values and selected EVM
metrics
Articulate the precedent diagram
method of scheduling and correlate
the EVM PMB with detailed and
master schedules.
Identify risk areas through review of
IBR documents including integrated
master schedule, detailed control
account schedules, control account
plans, work authorization
documents, resource planning
documents, contract requirements,
and control account manager
interviews.
Recognize the affect of front-loaded,
rubber baseline, over-target
baseline, contract modifications,
management reserve use, and
single-point adjustments on
performance measurement
baselines.
5 Summarize EVMS surveillance roles
and responsibilities documented in the
DCMA EVMS Standard Surveillance
Operating Manual and the Department
of Defense Earned Value Management
Roles and Responsibilities.
Discuss DoD policy related to EVM
Surveillance.
Describe the DCMA Center’s
Standard Surveillance Process
Describe the DCMA Center’s
Standard Corrective Action Request
Process
Recognize EVMS noncompliance
remediation options
Identify the surveillance process,
procedures, and working
relationships of the CAO, DCAA,
PMO, and the Contractor.
6 Correlate the relationship of EV trends
and data with integrated program
management by using data from
Financial Management Documents,
Network Schedule, APB, CPR and
CFSR.
Summarize the stakeholders,
primary use, standard format and
data content of common Program
Office documents to include the R-
2, R-3, R-4, R-4a, CPR, and CFSR
Determine the data validity and
correlate MS Project Critical Path
and Milestone Schedule data with
financial management and program
management documents.
Analyze wInsight EVM cost and
schedule variance metrics and
correlate these data with technical
risk and network schedule data to
determine the program’s cost and
schedule drivers.
Analyze wInsight summary level EV
charts to determine contract cost
and schedule performance apply
this to forecast a program’s cost and
price at complete.
7 Reconcile given data with the
program’s financial management
documents by using network schedule
data, APB data, and EVM data.
Compare and reconcile the key data
elements of the R-2, R-3, R-4 and R-
4a documents with the appreciate
elements of the APB, program
obligations and expenditure plans,
network schedule, and EVM data.
Reconcile a program CFSR with the
program’s CPR format 1 and format
3 for consistencies and
inconsistencies.
Summarize how individual elements
of the twelve step integrated
management model apply to DAES
reporting.
8 Demonstrate analysis steps by using
EVM analysis techniques and
automated tools.
Analyze cost and schedule
information by using LAR SDD
CONTRACT CPR data and
automated tools
Identify performance trends by using
information obtained from the tool.
Build briefing slides to demonstrate
analysis process by using
automated tools.
9 Perform an IPT level assessment
given relevant EV databases,
schedules, technical performance
data, and the Acquisition Program
Baseline (APB) by using automated
tools.
Assess assigned IPT cost, schedule
and technical performance.
Identify impact of IPT on other IPTs
and overall contract performance.
Review impacts, identify alternatives
and recommend actions.
Compute the IPT’s most likely EAC
and EAC range.
10 Perform an integrated program
assessment and prepare selected
DAES report sections given relevant
EV databases, schedules, technical
performance data, and the Acquisition
Program Baseline (APB) by using
automated tools.
Analyze Increda’s cost and
schedule performance using the
wInsight, MS Project and assigned
period data.
Identify the principle cost and
schedule drivers.
Compare contractor performance
stated in contractor cost reports with
status reported on the program
schedule and technical reports.
Compare the latest cost, schedule
and technical progress with APB
objectives.
Evaluate Increda’s projected cost at
completion at total contract.
Develop a program Estimate at
Completion (EACs).
Identify issues and recommend
actions for management attention.
Prepare the DAES input.
DEFENSE ACQUISITION UNIVERSITY
EMPLOYEE SELF-ASSESSMENT
BCF 204 – Intermediate Cost Analysis
090226
Competency
Competency Achieved? Work Description/Justification
Yes No
1 Apply the cost estimating process in
the construction of a cost estimate.
Describe the five steps in the Cost
Estimating Process.
Differentiate between the various
types of estimates.
Summarize the content and purpose
of the Cost Analysis Requirements
Document/Description (CARD).
Explain the role of a cost analyst for
documenting and presenting an
estimate.
Put the cost estimating process into
practice in the preparation of group
cost estimates.
2 Apply various data sources in the
construction of a cost estimate
Explain the necessity to have
programmatic and technical data in
addition to cost data.
Give illustrations of various
problems relating to the collection
and analysis of data.
Discus the purpose and application
of VAMOSC.
Explain the concept of non-
development items and list
advantages and concerns
associated with these items.
Apply the fundamentals of cost
performance measurement and
identify various contractor cost
reports.
3 Apply normalization techniques to
transform the raw data to data
readably usable for a given
requirement (i.e. modeling,
programmatic adjustments) given a
scenario.
Discuss normalization for content.
Explain the concept of normalizing
for quantity and the application of
cost improvement curves.
Convert dollars between then-year
(TY), constant-year (CY), and base-
year (BY) dollars by selecting the
appropriate inflation index.
Construct a simple weighted index.
Identify the cost impact to a program
in TY$ where that program,
expressed in TY$, is being
stretched out and/or compressed
4 Formulate a cost estimate following
the steps in the cost modeling
process.
List the steps in the cost modeling
process .
Give examples of what is to be
accomplished during each of the
steps in the cost modeling process.
Explain the importance of each step
in the cost modeling process and
why the steps are sequenced as
they are.
Prepare a cost estimate using the
steps in the process.
Differentiate between examples of
cost models which were properly or
improperly developed, and for the
improperly developed models,
hypothesize which step(s) in the
cost modeling process was either
skipped or misapplied.
5 Interpret statistical measures in the
evaluation of cost estimates.
Summarize the fundamentals of
statistics as well as the concepts
that form the basis for later
discussions on regression.
Calculate various measures of
central tendency.
Calculate and interpret various
measures of dispersion.
Apply normal and t-distributions in
the interpretation of statistical
analysis.
Develop a null and alternate
hypothesis.
Construct a hypothesis test.
Interpret the results of a hypothesis
test.
Explain the measures of central
tendency.
6 Justify a cost model selection given
statistical software analysis.
Apply the Least Squares Best Fit
(LSBF) is a quantitative technique
used to derive an equation for a
linear estimate: Costest = b0 + b1X,
where X is the value for some size
or performance variable.
Calculate total variation (SST),
explained variation (SSR), the
unexplained variation (SSE).
Construct an analysis of variance
table.
Interpret the meaning of the
statistics such as the MSE, MST,
and the degrees of freedom.
Calculate goodness of fit statistics
such as the coefficient of
determination and coefficient of
correlation.
Evaluate assumptions of the model,
recognize violations of these
assumptions, and recommend
remedial measures.
Explain what is being measured by
standard error calculations.
7 Using a statistical software package
construct and compare multivariate
linear models analyzing the resulting
statistics to determine strengths and
weaknesses of each model.
Recommend and defend your selected
model.
Apply the Least Squares Best Fit
(LSBF) as a quantitative
technique used to derive an
equation for a linear estimate:
Costest = b0 + b1X1+b2X2 etc,
where X1, X2, ... are the values
for some size or performance
variables.
Defend whether an estimating
equation with predictor variables
X1, X2 is generally preferred to
an estimating equation with one
or more variables removed based
upon the t-statistic corresponding
to each predictor variable.
Determine the t-statistic based on
the calculation of the partial F-
stat.
Explain the concept of
multicollinearity, how to detect
and evaluate it. Evaluate what it
does and does not affect and
recommend a treatment for it.
Calculate and explain the
limitations of the R2 and explain
the construction and purpose of
the adjusted R2.
Determine whether you should
evaluation an equation using R2
or adjusted R2.
8 Defend a selected model using a
statistical software package to
construct and compare multiplicative
models analyzing the resulting
statistics to determine strengths and
weaknesses of each model.
Analyze the resulting regression
statistics to determine strengths
and weaknesses and
multiplicative cost estimating
equations examined given a
sample data set and statistical
software package.
Justify the best model to choose
given competing
relationships/models.
Justify a preferred equation and
support the recommendation
given a group of different CERs.
Apply statistical concepts to
analyze the strengths and
weaknesses of a multiplicative
cost estimating equation.
9 Apply proper documentation
techniques to cost models so that
future users can properly analyze the
model. (BCF 204-11_
List the major sections that make
up a typical cost model.
Discuss the information that is
useful in a cost model document
and how that information can be
used to produce a better
estimate.
Document the estimating
relationships given an integrating
problem.
Prepare a documented cost
model in accordance with
instructed methods given an
integrating problem.
10 Apply the analogy estimating
technique given sample data. (BCF
204-12)
Differentiate between the
strengths and weaknesses of the
analogy estimating technique.
Apply an adjustment for
complexity, miniaturization, and
productivity in analogy estimating.
Recreate an estimate using the
analogy estimating technique.
11 Calculate an estimate using the
analogy estimating technique.
Recognize between the strengths
and weaknesses of the expert
opinion technique.
Describe what you should know
before contacting a functional
specialist and how to obtain the
information you really need.
Contrast the five types of group
techniques used to gather expert
opinions.
12 Compute cost factors to calculate
portions of a cost element.
Differentiate between the strengths
and weaknesses of the cost factors
technique.
Compute valid cost factors given
relevant data.
Explain how cost factors are related
to their source.
13 Complete portions of a cost estimate
that require the use of wrap rate
calculations.
Describe the components for
building an estimate using
engineering standards.
Differentiate between standard
recovery rate calculations and
Activity Based Costing (ABC).
Calculate a wrap rate or Fully
Burdened Labor Rate (FBLR).
14 Apply contract performance
measurement techniques in order to
evaluate the estimate for cost of the
contract at completion.
Explain the concepts of ACWP,
BCWP, and BCWS.
Construct contract performance
indices (CPI, SPI, SCI, CI, TCPI)
and discuss performance trends.
Develop estimates-at-completion
using various indices and explain
which EACs typically bound the
range of the historical cost-at-
completion.
Evaluate EACs based on
performance indices.
15 Apply concepts and principles of
various cost estimate time phasing
techniques in development.
Discuss the concept of incremental
funding.
Apply time phasing methodologies
to phasing development estimates.
Discuss the concept of full funding.
Apply the most appropriate
spreading method given an
estimating case and available data.
16 Calculate future production costs using
learning curve techniques that assess
the impacts associated with: model
selection, step-down functions,
production breaks, production rate
changes, and fixed costs.
Discuss the concept of cost
improvement and explain the unit
and cumulative average theories.
Calculate manual and computer
applications for cost improvement,
unit and cumulative averages.
Discuss the relationship between
development hardware and
production hardware.
Develop step-down functions
relating production and prototype
costs.
Predict the impacts of production
breaks on future production costs.
Predict the impacts of production
rate changes on future production
costs.
17 Assess the impact of O&S costs to the
overall cost estimate.
Discuss the steps in the O&S cost
estimating process to include:
Identifying the primary O&S issues
Selecting the reference system
Developing ground rules and
assumptions
Selecting the relevant cost
estimating structure
Contrast various O&S cost
estimating models, as well as
determining the characteristics of a
good model.
Explain the conventions of O&S
estimating to include Phase-In,
Steady State, and Phase-Out
periods.
Build the O&S estimate portion of a
Program Office Estimate.
18 Evaluate the cost of risk associated
with a program through the application
of probability distributions to an
estimate through the use of a
computer simulation package
Describe the risk management
process, explaining the purpose of
each of the phases as instructed in
class.
Evaluate the use of various
probability distributions to model
risk.
Discuss the concept of correlation
between cost elements.
Construct a cost estimate
addressing risk areas.
Determine the amount of resources
required to obtain a given probability
of success.
19 Contrast different independent variable
transformation techniques utilized to
obtain a linear transformation of cost
estimating data.
Summarize how transformations of
the independent variable can be
used in a linear function to model
intrinsically linear data.
Formulate logarithmic
transformations of both the
dependent and independent
variables in dealing with intrinsically
linear data.
Describe the relationship between
statistics in log space and statistics
in unit space.
20 Evaluate potential outliers and
influential observations using various
criteria, and recommend remedial
measures.
Discuss the occurrence of outliers.
Determine which observations are
influential observations.
Calculate measures for determining
which observations are outliers.
Conduct analysis to determine
which remedial measures are
necessary to deal with outliers.
21 Construct a prediction interval around
a point estimate using both manual
and automated methods.
Explain the difference between a
prediction interval and a confidence
estimate.
Calculate a prediction interval
manually.
Calculate measures for determining
which observations are outliers.
22 Recommend a model given a choice of
cost models and the associated data.
Justify your choice.
Identify measures to be evaluated
when comparing cost models.
Analyze model diagnostics.
Identify the best model and defend
your choice.
DEFENSE ACQUISITION UNIVERSITY
EMPLOYEE SELF-ASSESSMENT
BCF 205 – Contractor Finance for Acquisition Managers
090226
Competency
Competency Achieved? Work Description/Justification
Yes No
1 Evaluate inter-relationships that exist
between the government contractor
and the government customer.
2 Explain the relationships of the
business processes used by a firm in
its day-to-day operations.
3 Evaluate the impact on a firm of doing
business with the Federal
Government.
4 Explain the significance of cash flow
on a firm and explain the relationship
of a company’s business strategies to
its cash flow.
5 Analyze differences between the
commercial and Federal Government
market places.
6 Analyze the firm’s internal business
management and control processes.
7 Evaluate a business case assessing
the impact on the firm’s financial and
operating position.
8 Evaluate the impact of external
stakeholders on the firm’s strategies
and financial condition.
DEFENSE ACQUISITION UNIVERSITY
EMPLOYEE SELF-ASSESSMENT
BCF 206 – COST RISK ANALYSIS
091104
Competency
Competency Achieved? Work Description/Justification
Yes No
1 Interpret goodness of fit tests to
determine probability distributions to
be used in a cost risk analysis
Describe the need to perform
goodness-of-fit testing in a cost risk
analysis.
Perform a chi-square goodness-of-
fit test.
Distinguish between Kolgomorov-
Smirnov and Anderson-Darling
goodness-of-fit tests.
Investigate the distribution fitting
capabilities of several software
packages.
2 Investigate different analytical models
for simple cost risk simulations.
Identify the steps involved in a
simulation study.
Distinguish the types of simulation.
Distinguish techniques for
generating random numbers.
Distinguish techniques for
generating random variates with a
specified probability distribution.
Interpret the simulation capabilities
of several software packages.
3 Develop and interpret a spreadsheet
simulation cost risk model.
Determine the inputs to a
spreadsheet simulation model with
probability distributions.
Develop a spreadsheet-based
simulation model.
4 Analyze the cost risk associated with a
major defense acquisition program.
Develop a simulation model to
analyze the cost risk for a defense
acquisition program.
Interpret simulation output to
describe the variability in expected
project cost.
Present the results of a simulation-
based cost risk analysis for a
defense acquisition program to
other analysts.
Present a rationale for your
conclusion on cost risk.
5 Judge the reasonableness of the cost
risk analysis for a major defense
acquisition program.
Compare alternative methodologies
for conducting cost risk analyses of
other analysts.
Justify or present rationale for your
conclusion.
6 Distinguish differences between cost
risk analysis and uncertainty analysis
as applied to major weapon systems.
Explain the requirements to conduct
cost risk or uncertainty analyses for
defense acquisition programs.
State the standards by which cost
risk analyses for defense acquisition
programs are judged.
Identify the types of risk faced by
defense acquisition programs.
Describe the various methods used
to perform cost risk analyses.
7 Apply basic probability formulas and
concepts to cost risk analysis.
Define three sources of
probabilities.
Calculate probabilities of simple
events, unions, and intersections.
Define conditional probabilities.
Define statistical independence.
Calculate Bayesian probabilities.
Distinguish between discrete and
continuous probability distributions.
Distinguish between probability
mass functions and cumulative
distribution functions for commonly
used discrete probability
distributions.
Describe the appropriate conditions
for choosing commonly used
distributions to model random
variables.
Identify the parameters required to
model random variables with
commonly used distributions.
8 Assess subjective probabilities to
represent uncertain cost elements in a
major defense acquisition program.
Identify imprecise words used to
communicate about uncertain
quantities.
Assess subjective probabilities
using the fixed probability, fixed
value and fractile specification
techniques.
Distinguish the various heuristics
used to assess subjective
probabilities and the biases that
may result.
Distinguish principles for preparing
to assess subjective probabilities.
DEFENSE ACQUISITION UNIVERSITY
EMPLOYEE SELF-ASSESSMENT
BCF 207 – Economic Analysis
090226
Competency
Competency Achieved? Work Description/Justification
Yes No
1 Provide student with an overview of
economic analysis for decision-making
and to establish a framework for
course objectives, content, and
conduct. Understand management
concerns impacting on EA, elements
of EA. Provide familiarity with
requirements and guidelines included
in current regulations.
Define the basic terms used in
economic analysis.
Identify the benefits to managers
provided by economic analysis.
Describe the economic analysis
regulatory requirements
Recognize the impact of specialized
types of program/ project analysis
(e.g., CA;
Discuss the Privatization of
Utilities/Housing; DWCF; Business
Case Analysis
2 Explain the steps of the EA Process
with basic understanding of the
process of conducting an economic
analysis and of each step therein.
Describe the steps in the economic
analysis process.
Recognize the impact of uncertainty
on the decision-making process.
3 Discuss the PC Tools supporting
Economic Analysis. The tool will be
used daily throughout the course by
the group case study. The primary tool
available for use is PC ECONPACK.
Enter project information into a case
file given ECONPACK.
4 Develop a complete objective
statement contains all three parts of
the objective.
Distinguish between requirements,
problems, and objectives.
Describe and recognize elements of
the objective statement.
Develop a complete objective
statement.
5 Prepare a set of assumptions and
constraints
Develop list of common
assumptions and constraints
Select key assumptions for later
sensitivity analysis
6 Prepare for alternatives
Identify alternatives
Determine when the status quo shall
be used
7 Explain common cost estimating
procedures.
Define methods of cost estimating
Describe the basic concepts behind
the detail and parametric methods
of cost estimating.
8 Apply net present value comparisons
in an EA.
Define net present value.
Calculate net present value using
Microsoft Excel
Compare alternatives using net
present value.
Determine when net present value
is an appropriate criteria
9 Apply equivalent annual cost
comparisons in an EA
Define equivalent annual cost
Calculate equivalent annual cost
using Microsoft Excel
Compare alternatives using
equivalent annual cost
Determine when equivalent annual
cost is an appropriate criteria
10 Apply savings investment ratio
comparisons in an EA
Define savings investment ratio
Identify optimum values for a
savings investment ratio
Calculate a savings investment ratio
using Microsoft Excel
Compare alternatives using a
savings investment ratio
Determine when savings investment
ratio is an appropriate criteria
11 Apply payback period comparisons in
an EA
Define payback period
Calculate a discounted and non
discounted payback period
Compare alternatives using
payback period
12 Apply internal rate of return
comparisons in an EA
Define internal rate of return
Calculate internal rate of return
using Microsoft Excel
Compare alternatives using internal
rate of return
13 Discuss the techniques of identifying
and quantifying benefits.
Define benefits
Identify benefits
Identify the benefits that are to be
received by adoption of a particular
course of action.
14 Discuss the techniques of quantifying
benefits.
Determine means to quantify
benefits
Formulate worth functions
15 Apply the B/C Ratio technique
Define B/C Ratio
Calculate B/C Ratio
16 Apply decision matrices in EA.
Formulate a decision matrix
Calculate a decision matrix
Perform a sensitivity test on results
of calculation
17 Apply sensitivity analysis and risk
management techniques in EA
Explain the nature of uncertainty
and risk.
Apply concepts of risk and
uncertainty to EA
Select key assumptions and
variables suitable for sensitivity
analysis
Interpret results of sensitivity
analysis
18 Apply of requirements for
documentation.
Describe documentation common
for EA
Apply knowledge and skills learned
in case study
19 Critique an EA prepared by another
group.
Apply knowledge of the EA process
and methodology to validate an EA
Provide feedback and guidance to
an analyst for the preparation of an
EA
20 Defend an economic analysis.
Perform a satisfactory economic
analysis.
Defend a complete EA.
DEFENSE ACQUISITION UNIVERSITY
EMPLOYEE SELF-ASSESSMENT
BCF 209 – Acquisition Reporting for MDAPs and MAIS
090226
Competency
Competency Achieved? Work Description/Justification
Yes No
1 Develop a “proposed” APB and
transmit for approval given simulated
data.
Update the performance, schedule,
and cost parameters in the APB
using simulated data.
Generate a hardcopy APB for
review.
Generate an electronic version of
the APB and transmit.
Merge the approved APB into the
CARS database and review.
Identify situations where APB
breaches have occurred given
simulated data.
2 Generate the Selected Acquisition
Report (SAR) Unit Cost and Other
Program Information sections given
simulated data.
Update SAR sections 8, 12, 14, 15,
17 and 18 given simulated data.
Compare each SAR Unit Cost and
Other Program Information section
with other sections for consistency
of data given a scenario.
Differentiate a Nunn-McCurdy
breach from an APB breach given a
scenario.
3 Analyze a Selected Acquisition Report
(SAR) for Engineering, Support,
Estimating, and Other Cost Variances
given simulated data.
Determine the values of the
Engineering, Support, Estimating
and Other Cost Variances and the
reason for the changes given a
scenario.
Explain when and how the
Computational Model calculates
Engineering, Support, Estimating
and Other Cost Variances.
Explain Current and Prior Inflation
Offset and Economic Adjustments
for Negative Program Change.
Distinguish between Current and
Prior Inflation Offset and Economic
Adjustments for
Compare SAR sections 13 with
other SAR sections for data
consistency.
4 Analyze a Selected Acquisition Report
(SAR) for Quantity and Schedule Cost
Variances given simulated data.
Apply key Quantity and Schedule
Cost Variance terms.
Identify when quantity and/or
schedule changes have occurred
given several scenarios.
Determine the values of the
Quantity and Schedule Variances
and their causes given a scenario.
Explain when and how the
Computational Model calculates
Quantity and Schedule Variances.
5 Analyze a Selected Acquisition Report
(SAR) for Total and Economic Cost
Variances given simulated data.
Identify which categories of cost
variance are present in a program’s
Total Cost Variance given a
scenario.
Define how to calculate the Current
Estimate from SAR section 13.a.
Determine the value of the
Economic Variance, its cause and
data sources.
Explain when and how the
Computational Model calculates
Economic Variance given a
scenario.
6 Generate the Selected Acquisition
Report (SAR) narrative and financial
sections given simulated data.
Using simulated data, update SAR
sections 1-10, 11-13, and 16.
Identify when change explanations
are required in SAR section 9 and
10.
Compare each SAR narrative and
financial section with other sections
for consistency of data given a
scenario.
Describe the content and uses of
the Current Estimate Worksheet
(CEWS).
Enter data into the SAR given a
scenario and CEWS.
7 Generate the Defense Acquisition
Executive Summary (DAES) given
simulated data.
Describe the data sources for DAES
reports.
Explain the requirement for POM
and BES DAES reporting.
Summarize the process for
preparing a POM or BES DAES.
DEFENSE ACQUISITION UNIVERSITY
EMPLOYEE SELF-ASSESSMENT
BCF 211 – Business Acquisition Management
091104
Competency
Competency Achieved? Work Description/Justification
Yes No
1 Identify cost-schedule-performance
tradeoffs in light of CAIV given an
Operational Requirements Document
(ORD), an Acquisition Program
Baseline (APB), an Acquisition
Strategy and a team role-play
scenario.
Identify cost, schedule and
performance objectives and
thresholds (parameters) in the
Operational Requirements
Document (ORD)
Describe the issue of "trade space."
Identify the CAIV policy concerning
the authority of the program
manager to make cost and
performance tradeoffs.
Identify performance parameters
that are potential cost drivers.
Relate objectives and thresholds for
cost, schedule and performance to
the concept of "tradeoffs" and the
policy of CAIV.
2 Develop a Service Cost Position utilize
Cost Analysis Requirements
Description, Program Office Estimate
and a Component Cost Analysis.
Identify significant differences
between the Program Office
Estimate and the Component Cost
Analysis with respect to
assumptions and cost estimating
methodologies.
Select the most appropriate cost
estimating methodology for a given
situation.
Determine consistency of a cost
estimate with a Cost Analysis
Requirements Description
3 Apply escalation indices and basic
funding policies to build a program
budget given a scenario, program
documentation and an electronic
spreadsheet.
Estimate the RDT&E funding
requirements over the life cycle
using Incremental Funding Policy.
Predict the effect of contract type on
the budget.
Estimate the procurement funding
requirements jover the life cycle
using Full Funding Policy.
Develop a budget for product
improvement
Apply the appropriate escalation
indices to convert a cost estimate to
a budget request.
4 Perform impact analysis and prepare
responses required to achieve full
funding for the program in the FYDP
given prepared program information
(master plan/schedule, program
budget, acquisition strategy), Program
issues and a services preparation of
the Program and Budget submit),
Identify the impact of an identified
issue on program funding.
Prepare an alternative solution for a
Program issue.
Determine the impact of
Programming decisions on program
funding.
5 Prepare program budget exhibits for
procurement (P-5, P-5A, P-21, P-40
forms) and RDT&E (R-2 and R-3
forms) given program information
(master plan/schedule, program
budget, acquisition strategy), a service
Program Decision, a published budget
call letter, Financial Management
Regulation (FMR) budget exhibit
preparation instructions, current "fact
of life" program execution information,
and prior year budget exhibits.
Contrast current Program Decision
with program execution information
and prior year budget exhibits.
Compare budget exhibits for
consistency with each other.
Ensure that budget exhibits conform
with call letters and other guidance.
Prepare budget exhibits.
6 Develop responses as required for
comptroller/budget analyst advance
questions, budget hearings and
Program Budget Decisions (PBDs)
given a scenario and prepared
program budget exhibits.
Identify, from budget exhibits,
program areas most likely to attract
budget analyst attention and
questions during budget reviews.
Prepare responses to inquiries and
advance questions from budget
analysts.
Address issues and possible
consequences of a Program Budget
Decision (PBD).
7 Determine the best outcome given
various congressional situations.
Describe the impact of
congressional committee report
language on program budget
requests.
Identify the general rules of appeal
to a congressional mark.
Identify the players and their roles in
the congressional enactment
process.
Identify the elements of the three
steps in the congressional
enactment process.
8 Relate Earned Value Management
(EVM) information to program
performance, trend analysis, budget
impact and program documentation
given a scenario, program
documentation, cost data and
computer support.
Develop program inputs to the
Defense Acquisition Executive
Summary (DAES) reports.
Assess the impact of Earned Value
Management information (CPR,
C/SSR, & CFSR) on the program
budget.
9 Prepare a request for reprogramming
given a scenario and funds
management documentation.
Identify program funding
shortfalls/deficiencies/bills, which
may require the reprogramming of
funds.
Identify the possible consequences
of requesting funds and identifying
funding sources.
Identify contract modification that
may be required due to a funding,
schedule, or technical change.
10 Assess program execution funds
status given a scenario, funds
management documentation and /or
reports.
Evaluate the validity of a program
obligation/expenditure plan.
Compare the obligation/expenditure
plan and current official accounting
records.
Identify actions to correct
differences between actual
obligations/expenditures and the
official accounting records.
Discuss the information required in
a deviation or variance report.
Determine the impact of cancelled
appropriations on current funding
status.
11 Assess the impact of expired and
cancelled funds given a scenario.
Evaluate situations for compliance
with the policies associated with use
of expired and cancelled funds.
12 Assess propriety of funds given a
scenario.
Evaluate situations for compliance
with the Misappropriations Act, Anti-
Deficiency Act, and Bona Fide Need
Rule.
DEFENSE ACQUISITION UNIVERSITY
EMPLOYEE SELF-ASSESSMENT
BCF 215 – OPERATING AND SUPPORT COST ANALYSIS
091104
Competency
Competency Achieved? Work Description/Justification
Yes No
1 Describe the operating and support
(O&S) phase of a weapons system,
including the breadth of O&S cost
estimating.
Explain the trends in defense-wide
and system O&S costs.
Define the full scope of O&S costs.
Differentiate the three major
considerations that influence O&S
costs.
Summarize the uses of O&S cost
analysis throughout a system’s life
cycle.
Explain key O&S cost analysis
terms and concepts.
2 Discuss the principal planning
elements for O&S estimating.
Explain the steps in preparing an
O&S estimate.
Identify the range of assumptions
that drive O&S estimates.
Explain the purposes and uses of
O&S cost estimating structures.
Differentiate between the principal
cost estimating methods used with
O&S estimates.
3 Discuss basic reliability, availability,
and maintainability (RAM) terminology
and relationships.
Explain basic RAM terminology
Apply basic RAM relationships
Describe how reliability, availability,
and maintainability impact O&S
costs
Identify the basic RAM data sources
4 Estimate personnel costs using
accepted practices.
Identify where personnel costs
occur in O&S estimates.
Describe the general assumptions
that affect personnel cost estimates.
Explain how to price personnel to
include when to use composite
standard rates, acceleration factors,
differential costs, and indirect costs.
Identify major sources of personnel
cost data.
Explain the purpose and role of the
Manpower Estimate Report.
Estimate unit personnel costs
considering system characteristics,
operating concepts, and support
concepts.
5 Estimate unit operating costs.
Identify the range of operating costs
that should be considered.
Explain standard methods used to
estimate unit operating consumable
costs.
Apply methods appropriately to
estimate unit operating consumable
costs.
6 Estimate maintenance costs for
weapon systems.
Identify the types of costs included
in the maintenance portion of the
estimate.
Explain the factors that influence
maintenance costs.
Apply methods used to estimate
maintenance costs.
7 Estimate the elements of sustaining
support.
Identify the types of costs included
in estimates of sustaining support.
Explain the factors that affect
sustaining support costs.
Apply methods used to estimate
sustaining support costs.
8 Estimate the elements of continuing
system improvement
Identify the range and types of costs
included.
Explain the factors that influence
continuing system improvement
costs.
Apply methods to estimate
continuing system improvement
costs.
9 Apply adjustments to historical and
estimated costs to account for price
changes over time.
Explain why cost data and
estimates must be adjusted for
inflation effects.
Defend the correct price index
Apply appropriate methods in
making different types of inflation
adjustments.
10 Explain the basics of the Defense
Working Capital Fund (DWCF), and
how it impacts estimation of O&S
costs.
Describe the origins and purposes
of the DWCF.
Explain the DWCF buyer-seller
relationship.
Describe how DWCF affects O&S
costs.
Explain how Working Capital
Operations affect prices of goods
produced by DWCF organizations.
11 Describe the breadth, depth, strengths,
and limitations of the O&S data
available in the VAMOSC system.
Explain the motivation for VAMOSC
creation and maintenance.
Give examples of the variety of data
included in the automated system.
Describe the value of the system as
a source of analogous data for
estimation.
12 Prepare an independent estimate for
comparison to the official program
office estimate.
Prepare an independent estimate.
Describe how independent
estimates compare to program
office estimates and actual results.
13 Apply the O&S estimating techniques
taught given a realistic case scenario.
Structure the O&S estimate.
Adjust data for differences in time.
Perform analogy estimates.
Estimate personnel, unit operations,
maintenance, sustaining support,
and continuing improvement costs.
Adjust estimates based on different
operating tempo and RAM
characteristics.
Prepare a consistent O&S estimate.
14 Defend an O & S cost estimate given a
case scenario.
Prepare a clear and logical
presentation.
Defend a portion of the O&S
estimate
Evaluate O&S analyses by differing
teams.
15 Explain the process for creating for
economic analysis (EA).
Discuss the need for EA.
Explain the difference between fixed
and variable costs.
Explain the purpose and process of
discounting costs.
Define Analysis of Alternatives by
providing an example.
16 Defend that sensitivity and risk
analysis is a logical next step after
developing a point estimate for O&S
cost.
Differentiate between cost
estimating risk and program cost
risk.
Explain the concepts and
approaches associated with
sensitivity and risk analyses.
Recognize the major issues
associated with cost risk analyses.
Describe some of the pitfalls that
occur in cost risk analyses.
DEFENSE ACQUISITION UNIVERSITY
EMPLOYEE SELF-ASSESSMENT
BCF 262 – EVMS Validation and Surveillance
091104
Competency
Competency Achieved? Work Description/Justification
Yes No
1 The student shall be able to describe
the overall BCF-262 course structure
and recall the major topics and
concepts to covered by the BCF-262
curriculum.
The student can record and cite the
major topics of the remaining
lessons.
The student can restate and explain
general earned value management
(EVM) terminology.
The student can identify the
differences among standards,
policy, and guidelines and if and
how each applies to EVM.
The student can explain in general
terms the difference between
compliance, validation, and
surveillance.
The student can describe the
general life cycle of EVM
implementation on a typical
acquisition.
2 The student shall be able to describe
existing DoD EVM policy, contract pre-
award activities, and EVM-related
contractual requirements.
The student can explain current
DoD policy, EVM thresholds, and
reporting requirements.
The student can describe the pre-
award, source selection, and
Defense / Federal Acquisition
Regulations associated with EVM
on DoD Contracts.
The student can understand the
importance of EVMS requirements
(SOW, CDRLs, DFARS, DIDs,
Award Fee criteria, etc.).
3 The student shall be able to describe
the specifics of the three options
available for EVMS validation.
The student can explain
government EVMS validation.
The student can summarize the
steps in the EVMS validation
process.
4 The student can explain the EVMS
Organization guidelines and interpret
each in the context of the ANSI/EIA
748A.
The student can outline and explain
the Organization Guidelines as
listed in ANSI / EIA 748A.
The student can categorize the
intent, management value, typical
EVMS attributes, and typical EVMS
outputs for each of the Organization
Guidelines.
The student can explain the
important role Work Breakdown
Structures (WBS) play in
comprehensive contract work
definition.
The student can discuss the
relationship between a good WBS
and an efficient OBS and the effect
of the integration of the two.
The student can discuss the
importance of integrating the various
subsystems of the EVMS.
5 The student can explain the EVMS
Planning and Budgeting guidelines
and interpret each in the context of the
ANSI/EIA 748A.
The student can outline and explain
the Planning, Scheduling and
Budgeting Guidelines as listed in
ANSI / EIA 748A.
The student can categorize the
intent, management value, typical
EVMS attributes, and typical EVMS
outputs for each of the Planning,
Scheduling and Budgeting
Guidelines
The student can explain the
importance of a properly networked
schedule and its’ importance to
project management.
The student can explain the concept
of schedule horizontal and vertical
integration as well as the
importance of the program critical
path.
The student can summarize the
value of establishing and
maintaining a PMB at the control
account /work package level.
The student can explain the
concepts of Management Reserve
and Undistributed Budget and their
use.
6 The student can explain the EVMS
Accounting guidelines and interpret
each in the context of the ANSI/EIA
748A.
The student can outline and explain
the Accounting Considerations
Guidelines
The student can categorize the
intent, management value, typical
EVMS attributes, and typical EVMS
outputs for each of the Accounting
Considerations Guidelines.
The student can describe the
concept of applied direct costs and
the importance of the contractor’s
accounting system providing
auditable actual cost data at the
control account level.
The student can relate the
importance of accurate cost
summarization through the CWBS
and OBS.
The student can explain the various
points at which earned value for
material items can be calculated
and the need for the accounting
system to provide actual costs for
comparison and analysis.
The student can describe the need
for and use of “estimated actuals”
when accounting for material costs
The student can explain the
importance of indirect costs and the
attributes required for disciplined
application to budgeted and actual
costs, and application to individual
projects.
The student can explain the need to
track actual costs by element of cost
and unit or lot.
7 The student can explain the EVMS
Analysis and Management Report
guidelines & interpret each in the
context of the ANSI/EIA 748A.
The student can outline and explain
the Analysis and Management
Reports Guidelines as listed in ANSI
/ EIA 748A.
The student can categorize the
intent, management value, typical
EVMS attributes, and typical EVMS
outputs for each of the Analysis and
Management Reports Guidelines.
The student can explain the need
for assessing performance in a
consistent manner with the planned
budget at the control account level.
The student can explain the need
for analysis methodology and how
to interpret "cost and schedule
variances" and "at-completion
variances“
The student can list and explain the
various elements of variance
analysis that should be prepared by
the contractor.
The student can demonstrate how
the following can be analyzed: 1)
material price vs. usage variance, 2)
labor rate vs. hours variance, and 3)
indirect rate vs. base variance.
The student can isolate and
separately analyze the impacts of
level of effort and indirect costs to
either cost or schedule variances.
The student can demonstrate how
performance data is rolled up to
varying levels to meet management
needs, explain customer reporting
requirements, and describe the
need for management corrective
action.
The student can paraphrase EVMS
minimum requirements for formal
"Estimates at Completion" (EAC) &
the impact that "earned value"
techniques have on statistical
calculations of EACs.
The student can trace the EAC to
other reports, such as the Contract
Funds Status Report, and describe
why realistic EACs are important for
funding projections.
8 The student can explain the EVMS
Revision and Data Maintenance
Guidelines and interpret each in the
context of the ANSI/EIA 748A.
The student can outline and explain
the Revision and Data Maintenance
Guidelines.
The student can categorize the
intent, management value, required
EVMS attributes, and typical EVMS
outputs for each of the Revision and
Data Maintenance Guidelines.
The student can describe the
limitations placed on contractors by
the guidelines for internal replanning
of contractual effort, including
retroactive changes.
The student can outline the extent
of replanning activities required of
the contractor when a government
change notice is issued.
The student can describe the
process of establishing an Over-
Target Baseline.
The student can discuss the
contractor requirements for EVMS
planning and reporting of an
Undefinitized Contract Action.
9 The student can explain the objectives
of EVMS surveillance and discuss the
conduct of a surveillance effort at a
Contract Management Office (CMO).
The student can state the objectives
of EVMS surveillance including the
need for program offices to keep
their CMO informed.
The student can describe who is
responsible for EVMS surveillance
The student can describe the
function of the EVMS Specialist and
his/her general duties as they
pertain to surveillance.
The student can describe the
importance of the MOA as it applies
to the surveillance effort.
The student can summarize how a
Surveillance Team is to be
comprised, ideally, and who is
responsible for the conduct of this
team.
The student can explain the
Surveillance Review process and
the importance of using Metrics to
help determine the focus of the
review.
10 The student can explain the
progressive steps that should be taken
to deal with EVMS non-compliance
situations.
The student can outline the
progressive steps that should be
taken with non-compliance
situations (above and below $50M).
The student can understand the
individuals who should participate in
non-compliance remediation.
The student can discuss the
differences between system
certification remediation
(suspension or withdrawal) versus
financial withholds, and discuss the
varying impacts to the contractor.
The student can describe the steps
necessary for the remediation
actions to be eliminated.
11 The student can contrast interview
approaches that can be taken in
accomplishing validation and
surveillance reviews and can
adequately prepare for either type of
interview.
The student can describe the
importance of interviews in overall
validation and surveillance
processes.
The student understands how to
focus the interview for the assigned
process area.
The student understands the
necessity of preparation for
interview.
The student can describe operating
guidelines, interview techniques,
and documentation for the conduct
of personnel interviews.
The student can demonstrate how
to prepare for the interview by
organizing materials and selecting
sample questions appropriate for
the management level of the
interviewee.
12 Based on practical experience, the
student can explain and apply the
activities needed to review and
evaluate a contractor's earned value
management system in the context of
the ANSI/EIA 748A.
The student can describe the basic
steps in validating a contractor’s
EVMS.
The student can analyze the
contractor's plan for achieving
EVMS validation.
The student can interpret the
documentation utilized by a
contractor in demonstrating his
EVMS.
The student can relate ANSI/EIA
748A to a simulated contractor's
EVMS.
The student can conduct interviews
and data traces to determine if a
contractor is compliant with the
internal management procedures
outlined in the EVMS Description.
The student can explain the conduct
of an EVMS Initial Validation
Review, and how to resolve issues.
The student can summarize the
Exit/Debrief requirement and report
for the Initial Validation Review.
DEFENSE ACQUISITION UNIVERSITY
EMPLOYEE SELF-ASSESSMENT
BCF263 – Principles of Schedule Management Course
091104
Competency
Competency Achieved? Work Description/Justification
Yes No
1 The student shall be able to describe
the overall BCF-263 course structure
and recall the major topics and
concepts to be covered and assessed
by the BCF-263 curriculum.
The student can record and cite the
major topics of the remaining
modules.
The student can summarize the
course learning objectives.
The student can describe the
scored exercises and assessment
schedule.
2 The student shall be able to describe
DoD integrated master schedule (IMS)
related policy and the American
National Standards Institute/Electronic
Industries Alliance’s (ANSI/EIA 748A)
guidelines 6 & 7 IMS related
requirements.
The student can explain DoD IMS
policy and reporting requirements.
The student can explain the
scheduling process and concepts of
horizontal and vertical schedule
integration.
The student can summarize the
intent, management value,
attributes, and typical outputs
associated with the American
National Standards
Institute/Electronic Industries
Alliance’s (ANSI/EIA 748A)
guidelines 6 & 7.
3 The student shall be able to apply the
precedence diagram method (PDM) of
scheduling to analyze and create
simple non-complex PDM network
schedules.
The student can summarize the
attributes of the precedence
diagram method of scheduling.
The student can define terms
associated with the precedence
diagram method of scheduling.
Given a simple PDM network, the
students can calculate the early
start and finish times, calculate the
late start and finish times, and
determine the critical path.
Given a scenario and set of
assumptions, the student can create
a PDM network schedule.
4 The student shall be able to
summarize how schedules are used in
today’s program management
community, describe the schedule
development process, and create
simple MS Project schedules.
Given a scenario and a set of
assumptions, the student can code
MS Project to create a MS Project
schedule.
The student can apply the
scheduling process flow and
schedule development steps.
The student can articulate the
difference between schedule
presentation and the schedule
development process.
The student can identify the
schedule presentation formats
associated with bar charts,
calendars, PERT diagrams, and
Gantt charts.
5 The student shall be able to interpret
an American National Standards
Institute/Electronic Industries Alliance
(ANSI/EIA 748A) compliant integrated
master schedule (IMS), calculate IMS
health metrics, and prepare IMS status
and forecast assessments.
The student can apply common
schedule analysis techniques to
include: baseline comparison
analysis; critical path analysis, and
schedule risk analysis
Given an ANSI/EIA 748A compliant
IMS, the student can apply a
schedule diagnostic check list to
appraise schedule status
Given an ANSI/EIA 748A compliant
IMS, the student can calculate
common schedule health metrics to
evaluate: task float status; task
duration; underdeveloped logic; and
incomplete task status
Given an ANSI/EIA 748A compliant
IMS, the student can calculate
common schedule performance
metrics to include: schedule
performance index; critical path
length index; baseline execution
index; and task hit or miss
percentages
The student can apply Risk + to
create and interpret the results of a
Monte Carlo schedule simulation.
DEFENSE ACQUISITION UNIVERSITY
EMPLOYEE SELF-ASSESSMENT
BCF 301- Business, Cost Estimating & Financial Management Workshop
090223
Competency
Competency Achieved? Work Description/Justification
Yes No
1 Evaluate the interrelationship of
Earned Value Management (EVM) to
other Business Cost Estimating and
Financial Management (BCEFM)
functions to determine impact on the
program.
Analyze the relationship between
EVM data and BCEFM functions
and the impact each has on the
other.
Analyze EVM data on the contract
and its implication on cost.
Identify the problems on the
program and long term implications
given EVM guidelines.
Evaluate the pros and cons of the
various EAC methodologies for the
scenario provided.
Assess how Cost as an
Independent Variable (CAIV) can be
used on a program.
Predict how contract analysis can
provide indications of current status,
trends and a forecast of final costs.
Critique automated Estimate Value
Management (EVM) data analysis
tools for their advantages and
disadvantages.
2 Defend the relevant Business, Cost
Estimating and Financial Management-
Related Laws, Regulations, Policies
and Procedures to apply to a given
scenario.
Evaluate a scenario to determine
proper appropriation and funding
policies to be applied.
Evaluate how the budget
apportionment process will impact
availability and timing.
Defend a decision to adjust program
finding based on commitment,
obligation, expenditure, and outlays.
Assess a scenario to determine if
there are violations of any of the
fiscal laws (i.e. Misappropriation,
Anti-deficiency, Bona-fide Need).
Evaluate an obligation plan to
determine the health of a program
and implications to program
execution and funding.
Defend the program funding position
given a proposed budget reduction.
Justify reprogramming a strategy for
satisfying funding requirements
Identify the proper fiscal year of
funds to use in order to pay old bills
given the rules governing the use of
expired and cancelled funds.
Distinguish between the various
characteristics of contract types and
the implication of choice of contract
type on your program.
Evaluate the budget for adequacy of
funding of a CPIF contract with cost
overruns.
Discuss the funding impact of
various types of contracts.
Defend the P&R form decisions at a
budget review.
Defend the steps that must be taken
in the PPBE process to include the
purpose, timing, major documents
and activities and OSD lead
organizations and implications for
your program’s funding.
Defend the program funding levels
throughout the three phases of
Congressional Enactment, i.e.
budget resolution, authorization and
appropriation, and program
implications
Assess the Congressional Appeal
process for its impact on program
funding.
Defend a program status briefing for
the PEO.
Defend a restructure plan for the
program to address problems.
3 Defend Cost Estimating (CE)
strategies appropriate for a given
situation.
Assess the best Cost Estimating
(CE) methodologies to use based
on data available and timing in the
acquisition process.
Explain the various costs within a
program (i.e. Life Cycle Costs,
Development, Flyaway, Weapon
System, Procurement and Program
Acquisition).
Justify changes in these costs and
their possible cause of a breach.
Discuss and recommend the
required actions based on type of
breach.
Explain about the various methods
and players used to verify a cost
estimate throughout the program’s
life cycle.