Product-Oriented Design and Construction (PODAC) Cost Module - An Update

During the past several years the US Navy and the shipbuilding industry have been working together to develop a cost estimating tool that is sensitive to manufacturing processes and techniques. The Product-Oriented Design and Construction Cost Model (PODAC) Project's charter is to develop a product-based, production driven cost estimating tool that will be used by shipbuilders and the Navy to assess the cost of innovated and advanced technologies proposed for naval application. This paper will highlight the progress of the model development and the future direction of the project. Additionally, the PODAC Integrated Product Team (IPT) has been installing and implementing the PODAC Cost model at five major U.S. shipyards and within the Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) over the last twelve months. A structured evaluation of the model has taken place at several shipyards. The evaluation process was conducted in terms of technical or engineering trade-off studies. The findings and recommendations of one of these studies are discussed.