In-depth | cost analysis
Figure 3. Decrease of the relative error as a
function of the number of single forecasts.
to deduce the different cost components
separately, so that he can get an overview
of the cost structure at different structural
levels very quickly and the analysis will
have a high relevance to the problem at
hand. In addition, this information can be
used to determine key figures. Last but not
least the user has different possibilities to
analyse the cost caused by a change in the
customer demands.
Life cycle costing for including all
expenses in the ship’s life cycle: With life
cycle costing, a change of view is made
from the producer to the owner, and not
ships. The imported values can be modified only the price of the ship, but also the costs
subsequently, if necessary. of the whole in-service phase are included.
Parametric cost estimation: costfact is Using costfact, life cycle costs can be
able to determine cost functions, based on a calculated up to an examination period of
statistical examination and validation of the 35 years in-service phase. Moreover, the
technical and economical characteristics effects by uncertainties of the in-service
of existing objects. These functions can be phase parameters can be considered.
used to derive the costs of similar objects. A particular advantage for costfact is its
Mapping of project calculations between continuous support of the cost management
different building structures: Project in all project phases, from the early design
calculations must often be transferred to the in-service phase of the ship. Here the
Figure 4. specifying of forecast
from the internal system in an alternative cost planning and cost control takes place
inaccuracies by ‘hardness grades’.
structure, for example at customer’s request. at different consideration levels, according
In support of this function the programme to the information which is available in
allocations between different structures each case. According to these different
NATO’s Expanded Ship Work Breakdown can be defined. Then on this basis project levels several sources can be used for cost
Structure (ESWBS). calculations can be automatically taken information, for example a calculated
These structures can be modified and from a structure in one of the other plan values or registered actual costs by
expanded, according to the demands of the structures. preceding projects.
shipyard and the project concerned. It will Uniform system base for calculation This supports, in particular, the
also allow for completely new structures projects: The organisation of projects and calculation for quotations which are
to be imported. The hierarchical structure project information is controlled by a required quickly and must be precise at the
enables the user to navigate quickly between project management module that enables very earliest stage of a new project.
the different levels and allows cost planning an exchange of information between In this context it poses a problem that
at each of these levels, beginning with the different projects and several users and the information available at that time
whole vessel and working down to single ensures a company wide integration of cost is associated with uncertainties. Hence,
parts (Figure 2). controlling. In addition it allows the linking besides the prospective costs of the project,
Cost estimations for new projects based to external systems, e.g. for importing information is necessary in which range the
on existing calculations: In addition to the actual costs from the ERP system. actual costs can deviate from the forecast
beginning of new cost planning with an Different performance features for cost costs. This information can be estimated
‘empty’ cost structure, the user can derive analysis: costfact supports the cost analysis with the help of risk analysis.
the costs of new objects from those of both of projects which are already concluded
existing components and assemblies, and as well as the calculation of new ships. A consideration of uncertainties
consolidating this information into the cost driver analysis based on Pareto’s law is In particular in early project phases, cost
calculation for the new vessel. For this applied to functions within the cost driver forecasts for ships are always afflicted
purpose whole calculations from complete analysis and this determines the cost drivers with significant uncertainties. The
projects or parts of them can be imported that have the biggest influence on these magnitude of these uncertainties depends
and taken over for the cost planning of new costs. In addition cost filters enable the user on different parameters such as whether
22 The Naval Architect February 2010
NA Feb10 - p20+p22+p24+p26.indd 22 02/02/2010 16:35:20
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