Background, Aims, Objectives and Achievements
For over 30 years the Society for Cost Analysis and Forecasting (“the Society” or “SCAF”) has sought to illuminate key issues in the analysis and forecasting of project costs – and to promote best practice within the cost forecasting community.
Background to the Society
The Society was formed in 1984 following a recognition of the need for a forum where those with interests and experience in cost analysis, estimating and forecasting could meet to discuss problems and costing techniques.
The formation was the initiative of the UK members of the International Society for Parametric Analysis (ISPA now known as International Cost Estimating and Analysis Association (ICEAA)) with the support of specialist cost groups of the Ministry of Defence and the Royal Aeronautical Society.
The Society has tended towards defence-oriented industries but welcomes other similar industrial domains covering as broad a field as possible.
The Society is a not-for-profit organisation that is run by its members for its members through an elected volunteer committee.
Aims and Objectives of the Society
The Society’s aim is to be recognised as a single point of contact providing advice to those wishing to address key issues in the analysis and forecasting of costs and timescales of complex programmes.
Objectives
- To promote the best professional interests of its members
- To promote best practice in cost forecasting
- To improve cost analysis and prediction methods
- To disseminate information on cost forecasting and analysis techniques
- To maintain collaborative links with other societies (for example ICEAA, the Controls and Skills Authority (formerly known as ACostE and European Aerospace Cost Engineering).
What has SCAF Achieved
- The Society has grown from small humble beginnings and now regularly attracts some 400 attendees to our workshops over the Society year
- SCAF has one of the most comprehensive open access library of several hundred cost-related presentations and reference papers in the UK
- SCAF has provided a ‘Foreword’ to technical books published by Gower Publishing Ltd
- SCAF, as co-author, was instrumental in compiling life cycle costing guidelines for NATO and published in reports, booklets and pamphlets
- SCAF now has corporate membership arrangements with a number of industrial and government organisations
- SCAF’s forum for knowledge sharing and learning is recognised by academia and industry and is deemed important enough to attract senior figures to speak at our workshops including:
- Sir Peter Spencer, Chief of Defence Procurement
- Chris Boardman, MD BAE Systems
- Maj General Andrew Figgures, and Vice Admiral Sir Jeremy Blackham, Vice Chiefs of the Defence Staff
- Andrew Morrison, Chief Economist
- Tim Banfield, National Audit Office
- Johaness Wolff, HM Treasury
- Susanna Mason, Director General Commercial, DE&S
- Michael Christie, Chief Technologist, BAE Systems
- Professor Trevor Taylor, Royal United Services Institute
Typical Topics covered in SCAF Workshops
An example of the Scope and Range of topics recently addressed in our workshops included:
- Conceptual Design Costing
- Investment and Financial Appraisal
- Whole Life Costing
- Uncertainty and Risk Analysis Modelling
- Technology Insertion
- Decision Analysis Techniques
- Hardware and Software Estimating
- Predictive Estimating and Forecasting
- Supportability Modelling and Techniques
Benefits of Membership
An Annual Conference + four themed workshops + a Summer Reception + four Newsletters are organised every year for members by members.
A single fee payable at the Annual Conference in September (or at any subsequent events) provides free attendance to all our workshops during a Society year giving a very cost-effective learning opportunity to all. Corporate membership is also available.
Knowledge sharing on new techniques, cost, risk and schedule estimating tool developments and current innovations are openly discussed.
Technical or Themed Workshops are held throughout the year at various locations.
Access to a library of Conference, Seminar and Workshop proceedings, historical data and reference papers.
Participation in Working Groups on specific topics.
What benefits do organisations get from SCAF Workshops?
SCAF provides an ideal forum for knowledge sharing by:
- Inviting experienced speakers from Academia, Industry, Public Sector Organisations, Manufacturers, Consultancies, Policy Makers and Cost Modelling Practioners to our workshops
- Maintaining open debate and dialogue on new techniques, cost research and publications
- Encouraging junior members to present papers and join in Peer review discussions on cost related topics
In summary – SCAF provides maximum gain to cost engineers and forecasters for minimum investment.