GAO COST ESTIMATING AND ASSESSMENT GUIDE: Best Practices for Developing and Managing Capital Program Costs

Because federal guidelines are limited on processes, procedures, and practices for ensuring credible cost estimates, the Cost Guide is intended to fill that gap. Its purpose is twofold to address generally accepted best practices for ensuring credible program cost estimates (applicable across government and industry)and to provide a detailed link between cost estimating and EVM. Providing that link is especially critical, because it demonstrates how both elements are needed for setting realistic program baselines and managing risk.