ABSTRACT
While accuracy can be demonstrated using cost research techniques, this is not achieved in practice unless there is quality assurance to maintain discipline in the application of the models.
Cost Engineers are by their very nature sceptical. They are like accountants and use prudence when necessary. They will inevitably add costs to their estimates and look for senior staff to decide to remove those costs. Engineers are optimists and persuade themselves that everything is easy. If this was not the case they would not embark upon projects with the necessary enthusiasm and energy needed to succeed.
