Information Value Metric for Cost Data Structures

摘要

Efforts in OSD(PA&E) to obtain more detailed total-program-cost estimates for a major weapon system (Program 'A') motivated the development of a way to calculate the amount of detail in a cost reports. The resulting measure, called the Equivalent Equal-Value Category (EEVC) measure, is derived from a basic formula of the statistical theory of communication. The EEVC measure is applied to cost estimates of Program 'A' and of analogous programs, and to pertinent cost reporting outlines. Limitations of the EEVC measure are discussed, its current implementation is described, and areas for its further development are indicated.