ACAP Data Collection and Management 2

Question 1

Which Army regulation governs the collection, management, and reporting of cost data for Army acquisition programs?

Accepted Answer

AR 70-13 (Management and Oversight of Defense Acquisition Programs)

Answer

AR 70-13 establishes Army policy for cost management and data reporting within the Army acquisition system, including cost estimating and analysis requirements.

Question 2

What is the purpose of Technical Performance Measures (TPMs) in the context of data collection for cost analysis?

Accepted Answer

To track technical parameters that drive cost, allowing analysts to correlate technical progress with cost growth

Answer

TPMs capture the technical attributes (e.g., weight, power, processing speed) that serve as cost drivers, enabling analysts to build and validate cost estimating relationships.

Question 3

What is a 'data call' in Army cost analysis?

Accepted Answer

A formal request sent to program offices or contractors to collect specific cost and technical data needed for an estimate

Answer

A data call is a structured request that specifies exactly what information is needed, in what format, and by what date, ensuring consistent and complete data collection.

Question 4

Why is 'actual cost data' preferred over 'budgeted cost data' when developing cost estimating relationships (CERs)?

Accepted Answer

Actual costs reflect what was truly spent, avoiding budget optimism or political adjustments that distort real cost drivers

Answer

Budgets are often set optimistically or politically adjusted, while actuals represent real resource consumption, making them a more reliable basis for future predictions.

Question 5

What is a Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) and why is it critical to cost data collection?

Accepted Answer

A hierarchical decomposition of program scope used to organize and collect costs at consistent, comparable levels across programs

Answer

The WBS provides a common framework so that costs from different programs and contractors are collected at the same structural level, enabling meaningful comparison and analysis.

ACAP - Army Cost Analysis Position Practice Test

ACAP - Army Cost Analysis Position Practice Test

ACAP Data Collection and Management 2