The Association for the Advancement of Cost Engineering (AACE) International and the Defense Acquisition University (DAU) last month signed a cooperative agreement at Fort Belvoir, Va.
The organizations believe that their missions share a mutual commitment to excellence in learning and strategic collaboration for the best training. The training builds on the expertise of both communities in terms of estimating, cost engineering, scheduling and earned value management, collectively known as "project controls," within the U.S. Department of Defense and industry. The agreement formalizes an ongoing relationship with the objective of continuing to support each other's efforts by leveraging the best practices of both government and the contracting community to provide first-class training and education.
The strategic partnership established by the cooperative agreement creates the framework for AACE and DAU to pursue mutually beneficial educational opportunities. AACE and DAU each will appoint a "sponsor" to explore these opportunities, propose the specific details on what each party will pursue, and determine how the details associated with each area should be managed.
Since 1956, AACE International has served as a professional society for cost estimators, cost engineers, schedulers, project managers, and project control specialists. With more than 7,000 members worldwide, AACE International is believed to be the largest organization serving the entire spectrum of cost management professionals. AACE International is industry independent and has members in 80 countries and 80 local sections.
AACE President-Elect Provides Additional Details to CPC/BIM
In an interview with CPC/BIM, AACE President-elect Michael Nosbisch provided the following additional details about the agreement:
CPC/BIM: Each organization will appoint a sponsor to explore mutually beneficial educational opportunities, propose details on what each party will pursue specifically, and recommend details on how each area should be managed. What is the scheduled timeline for carrying out these tasks?
Nosbisch: Before the end of the year.
CPC/BIM: The organizations will continue to support each others' efforts by leveraging the best practices of the government and contracting community to provide training and education. Does this mean that AACE and DAU will share information with each other about lessons learned in project controls training?
Nosbisch: Absolutely, to include the potential for AACE members to participate as guest lecturers in DAU courses and vice versa.
CPC/BIM: What estimates, if any, can you share about the number of people who could receive training in project controls through the two organizations and by when? How many people could this agreement affect?
Nosbisch: This is hard to estimate at this time, but special consideration will be given to AACE members who are interested in attending DAU courses that are directly related to/aligned with AACE's professional certifications (e.g. earned value management, cost estimating, and scheduling).
CPC/BIM: What do you believe these organizations will be able to accomplish through this agreement that otherwise would not be accomplished absent this agreement?
Nosbisch: Additional recognition for AACE and our certifications in the eyes of the U.S. government, which should serve to expand both our membership base and influence in support of project controls-related issues across all of industry.
