{"id":9,"date":"2022-05-24T00:01:37","date_gmt":"2022-05-24T00:01:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lodestar-as.com\/?page_id=9"},"modified":"2022-06-16T09:56:48","modified_gmt":"2022-06-16T00:26:48","slug":"elementor-9","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.lodestar-as.com\/","title":{"rendered":""},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"9\" class=\"elementor elementor-9\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-f1dcb47 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"f1dcb47\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-3e33ba4\" data-id=\"3e33ba4\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-175a0fd elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"175a0fd\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.6.5 - 27-04-2022 *\/\n.elementor-widget-image{text-align:center}.elementor-widget-image a{display:inline-block}.elementor-widget-image a img[src$=\".svg\"]{width:48px}.elementor-widget-image img{vertical-align:middle;display:inline-block}<\/style>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1500\" height=\"1000\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lodestar-as.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Board-meeting_3.jpg\" class=\"attachment-2048x2048 size-2048x2048\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.lodestar-as.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Board-meeting_3.jpg 1500w, https:\/\/www.lodestar-as.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Board-meeting_3-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.lodestar-as.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Board-meeting_3-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.lodestar-as.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Board-meeting_3-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-72a44b5 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"72a44b5\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-0c09408\" data-id=\"0c09408\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e5ae942 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"e5ae942\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.6.5 - 27-04-2022 *\/\n.elementor-widget-text-editor.elementor-drop-cap-view-stacked .elementor-drop-cap{background-color:#818a91;color:#fff}.elementor-widget-text-editor.elementor-drop-cap-view-framed .elementor-drop-cap{color:#818a91;border:3px solid;background-color:transparent}.elementor-widget-text-editor:not(.elementor-drop-cap-view-default) .elementor-drop-cap{margin-top:8px}.elementor-widget-text-editor:not(.elementor-drop-cap-view-default) .elementor-drop-cap-letter{width:1em;height:1em}.elementor-widget-text-editor .elementor-drop-cap{float:left;text-align:center;line-height:1;font-size:50px}.elementor-widget-text-editor .elementor-drop-cap-letter{display:inline-block}<\/style>\t\t\t\t<p>\u00a0<\/p><p>Costing and costing systems are a critical part of a business. An understanding of what something is going to cost to build and run is critical for effective decision making.<\/p><p>As an executive or board member, can you sign off on IT project cost figures with confidence?<\/p><p>Do you have an understanding of effort, time and risk associated with the project?<\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-4efb09f elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"4efb09f\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-b75d25a\" data-id=\"b75d25a\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6768029 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"6768029\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.6.5 - 27-04-2022 *\/\n.elementor-widget-divider{--divider-border-style:none;--divider-border-width:1px;--divider-color:#2c2c2c;--divider-icon-size:20px;--divider-element-spacing:10px;--divider-pattern-height:24px;--divider-pattern-size:20px;--divider-pattern-url:none;--divider-pattern-repeat:repeat-x}.elementor-widget-divider .elementor-divider{display:-webkit-box;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex}.elementor-widget-divider .elementor-divider__text{font-size:15px;line-height:1;max-width:95%}.elementor-widget-divider .elementor-divider__element{margin:0 var(--divider-element-spacing);-ms-flex-negative:0;flex-shrink:0}.elementor-widget-divider .elementor-icon{font-size:var(--divider-icon-size)}.elementor-widget-divider .elementor-divider-separator{display:-webkit-box;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;margin:0;direction:ltr}.elementor-widget-divider--view-line_icon .elementor-divider-separator,.elementor-widget-divider--view-line_text .elementor-divider-separator{-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center}.elementor-widget-divider--view-line_icon .elementor-divider-separator:after,.elementor-widget-divider--view-line_icon .elementor-divider-separator:before,.elementor-widget-divider--view-line_text .elementor-divider-separator:after,.elementor-widget-divider--view-line_text .elementor-divider-separator:before{display:block;content:\"\";border-bottom:0;-webkit-box-flex:1;-ms-flex-positive:1;flex-grow:1;border-top:var(--divider-border-width) var(--divider-border-style) var(--divider-color)}.elementor-widget-divider--element-align-left .elementor-divider .elementor-divider-separator>.elementor-divider__svg:first-of-type{-webkit-box-flex:0;-ms-flex-positive:0;flex-grow:0;-ms-flex-negative:100;flex-shrink:100}.elementor-widget-divider--element-align-left .elementor-divider-separator:before{content:none}.elementor-widget-divider--element-align-left .elementor-divider__element{margin-left:0}.elementor-widget-divider--element-align-right .elementor-divider .elementor-divider-separator>.elementor-divider__svg:last-of-type{-webkit-box-flex:0;-ms-flex-positive:0;flex-grow:0;-ms-flex-negative:100;flex-shrink:100}.elementor-widget-divider--element-align-right .elementor-divider-separator:after{content:none}.elementor-widget-divider--element-align-right .elementor-divider__element{margin-right:0}.elementor-widget-divider:not(.elementor-widget-divider--view-line_text):not(.elementor-widget-divider--view-line_icon) .elementor-divider-separator{border-top:var(--divider-border-width) var(--divider-border-style) var(--divider-color)}.elementor-widget-divider--separator-type-pattern{--divider-border-style:none}.elementor-widget-divider--separator-type-pattern.elementor-widget-divider--view-line .elementor-divider-separator,.elementor-widget-divider--separator-type-pattern:not(.elementor-widget-divider--view-line) .elementor-divider-separator:after,.elementor-widget-divider--separator-type-pattern:not(.elementor-widget-divider--view-line) .elementor-divider-separator:before,.elementor-widget-divider--separator-type-pattern:not([class*=elementor-widget-divider--view]) .elementor-divider-separator{width:100%;min-height:var(--divider-pattern-height);-webkit-mask-size:var(--divider-pattern-size) 100%;mask-size:var(--divider-pattern-size) 100%;-webkit-mask-repeat:var(--divider-pattern-repeat);mask-repeat:var(--divider-pattern-repeat);background-color:var(--divider-color);-webkit-mask-image:var(--divider-pattern-url);mask-image:var(--divider-pattern-url)}.elementor-widget-divider--no-spacing{--divider-pattern-size:auto}.elementor-widget-divider--bg-round{--divider-pattern-repeat:round}.rtl .elementor-widget-divider .elementor-divider__text{direction:rtl}<\/style>\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-a00c08f elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"a00c08f\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-e42a90b\" data-id=\"e42a90b\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-c11be2e elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"c11be2e\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-7d68855\" data-id=\"7d68855\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8eeb61d elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"8eeb61d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"384\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lodestar-as.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Costquote_2.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.lodestar-as.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Costquote_2.jpg 924w, https:\/\/www.lodestar-as.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Costquote_2-300x144.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.lodestar-as.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Costquote_2-768x368.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-326d4c2\" data-id=\"326d4c2\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5e6403c elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"5e6403c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"376\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lodestar-as.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Costquote_1.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.lodestar-as.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Costquote_1.jpg 937w, https:\/\/www.lodestar-as.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Costquote_1-300x141.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.lodestar-as.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Costquote_1-768x361.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-69f1b97 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"69f1b97\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-69f28a6\" data-id=\"69f28a6\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d71c615 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"d71c615\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Two different views but both showing a worrying trend with regard to IT projects around the world.<\/p><p>Government IT spending in Australia is forecast to exceed $15.5 billion in 2022, an increase of 8.8 percent from 2021, according to the latest forecast by analyst firm Gartner. Just like their private sector counterparts, Australian public sector organisations are likely to see 30 to 40 per cent of their planned cloud spend \u2013 in the order of $300,000 to $1 million per month for larger departments \u2013 be wasted.<\/p><p>Typically, tax payer funded IT project failures make the news headlines, but large companies also have a very poor track record of delivering IT projects on time and on budget. Program Directors, Program Managers an Project Managers have become accomplished at taking stakeholders on the journey of reducing scope to meet the remaining budget. While the latest silver bullet is Agile and Digital Transformation, they do little to improve accurately costing IT projects.<\/p><p>A good cost <strong>estimate<\/strong> (not a commitment) should have the following characteristics. It should be:<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-c303907 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"c303907\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-ef37250\" data-id=\"ef37250\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-4f49632 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"4f49632\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-df2f15e\" data-id=\"df2f15e\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-3fd3747\" data-id=\"3fd3747\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7abc5d4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"7abc5d4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul><li><strong>Accurate<\/strong><\/li><li><strong>Comprehensive<\/strong><\/li><li><strong>Replicable <\/strong><\/li><li><strong>Auditable<\/strong><\/li><li><strong>Traceable<\/strong><\/li><li><strong>Credible<\/strong><\/li><li><strong>Timely<\/strong><\/li><\/ul><p>\u00a0<\/p><p>As an executive or board member, can you sign off on your organisation&#8217;s estimates with confidence?<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-c177398\" data-id=\"c177398\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e4379f8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"e4379f8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"293\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lodestar-as.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Effort_TimeQetc-293x300.png\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.lodestar-as.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Effort_TimeQetc-293x300.png 293w, https:\/\/www.lodestar-as.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Effort_TimeQetc.png 689w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 293px) 100vw, 293px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-df69d90 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"df69d90\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-6ba614b\" data-id=\"6ba614b\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0c6830d elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"0c6830d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>While all the items listed are important, the issue of Time is paramount. IT projects typically start with a conversation \u2013 \u201cHow much do you think it will cost to add name and address fields to our website?\u201d At this point, there are no detailed requirements and a \u201cguestimate\u201d should not be given. Even the very best estimates will be a range. As more information becomes available, the estimate can become more accurate <strong>BUT<\/strong> the budget has usually been set by that time.<\/p><p>PRINCE2 and PMBOK focus on delivering the project to the timeline and budget, but there is no step in there to validate that the budget is realistic for the scope and planned duration.<\/p><p>Through years of outsourcing, organisations have lost the ability to cost IT projects and rely on Requests for Proposals to get an understanding of likely costs. Of course, the real problem is that suppliers will \u201clow ball\u201d their bids to win the business. This leads to constant change requests to vary the scope and <strong>value leakage<\/strong>. From our experience, it is not unusual to have 30% value leakage in outsourcing contracts.<\/p><p>While cloud is the new silver bullet, if not well managed, it will cost a lot more than in-house services.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-eec5c52 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"eec5c52\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-652cdfa\" data-id=\"652cdfa\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0e33095 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"0e33095\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-afef334 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"afef334\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-fd03046\" data-id=\"fd03046\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ad1ce47 elementor-align-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"ad1ce47\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.lodestar-as.com\/index.php\/free-assessment\/\" class=\"elementor-button-link elementor-button elementor-size-lg\" role=\"button\" id=\"assessment\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Click here for a free assessment of your organisation's cost estimating capabilities<\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-05defdd elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"05defdd\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-1a1d10b\" data-id=\"1a1d10b\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fd1e398 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"fd1e398\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.6.5 - 27-04-2022 *\/\n.e-container.e-container--row .elementor-spacer-inner{width:var(--spacer-size)}.e-container.e-container--column .elementor-spacer-inner,.elementor-column .elementor-spacer-inner{height:var(--spacer-size)}<\/style>\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-11da3a3 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"11da3a3\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-14fa2c5\" data-id=\"14fa2c5\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fa62908 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"fa62908\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.6.5 - 27-04-2022 *\/\n.elementor-heading-title{padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title[class*=elementor-size-]>a{color:inherit;font-size:inherit;line-height:inherit}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-small{font-size:15px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-medium{font-size:19px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-large{font-size:29px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xl{font-size:39px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xxl{font-size:59px}<\/style><h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-xl\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lodestar-as.com\/index.php\/our-story\/\">Our Story<\/a><\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-1e5a188 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"1e5a188\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-6183a4a\" data-id=\"6183a4a\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-704a6b3 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"704a6b3\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-b62f518\" data-id=\"b62f518\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c1f5e5d elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"c1f5e5d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"151\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lodestar-as.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/costtimeeffortrisk1-1024x193.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.lodestar-as.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/costtimeeffortrisk1-1024x193.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.lodestar-as.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/costtimeeffortrisk1-300x57.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.lodestar-as.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/costtimeeffortrisk1-768x145.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.lodestar-as.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/costtimeeffortrisk1.jpg 1134w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-6c1c984 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"6c1c984\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-8b00695\" data-id=\"8b00695\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-51d7204 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"51d7204\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>While consulting on a very large deal in 2001, it became apparent that suppliers generally don\u2019t have a good understanding of their operational costs. This led to a focus on cost estimation and a journey to understand IT cost estimation and the tools that are available.<\/p><p>Over the past 20 years, we have looked at a number of organisation\u2019s costing tools. The first thing that became apparent is that they were all MS-Excel based and were \u201ctweaked\u201d based on the project at hand \u2013 a very dangerous practice. The second thing was that different parts of the same organisation will use different cost modelling tools for the same scope.<\/p><p>There is no formal training or accreditation for IT cost modelling. What seems to happen is that someone will build an Excel model and become the de facto \u201cexpert\u201d in the area.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-0027382 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"0027382\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-c965f14\" data-id=\"c965f14\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a5774e3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"a5774e3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-86a4253 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"86a4253\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-9e60750\" data-id=\"9e60750\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-34b767b elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"34b767b\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-17595b1\" data-id=\"17595b1\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b03db3b elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"b03db3b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><em>Galorath Incorporated defines three tribes of cost estimators:<\/em><\/p><p><strong>The Napkins: \u00a0 <\/strong><em>Ad-hoc, hero driven group of estimators whose past successes are legendary and whose napkin scribbling is taken as gospel.<\/em><\/p><p><strong>The Guts: \u00a0 <\/strong><em>Feeling and experience oriented group of project managers and workers whose years of experience,good and bad, makes them trusted prognosticators of what will happen regardless of the actual results (tenure benefits of being a survivor).<\/em><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p>\u00a0<strong>The Spreadsheets: \u00a0 <\/strong><em>Former and current Napkins and Guts members who believe translating their tribal knowledge onto MS-Excel spreadsheets bestows mathematical accuracy and empirical integrity on home grown algorithms.<\/em><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-c65957d\" data-id=\"c65957d\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e0274e8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"e0274e8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"380\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lodestar-as.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Napkin.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.lodestar-as.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Napkin.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.lodestar-as.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Napkin-300x228.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-e8ea18c elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"e8ea18c\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-1fc2466\" data-id=\"1fc2466\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9564517 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"9564517\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-xl\">\nSo why is cost estimation so difficult?<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-99fc3c8 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"99fc3c8\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-955a9be\" data-id=\"955a9be\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-3aeecf6 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"3aeecf6\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-b107c45\" data-id=\"b107c45\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-77decdb elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"77decdb\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>IT projects cover a broad spectrum of technologies and activities:<\/p><ul><li>Regulatory changes and compliance<\/li><li>Replacing obsolete hardware and software<\/li><li>Business changes<\/li><li>Process changes<\/li><li>Different user interfaces<\/li><li>APIs<\/li><li>Software licensing<\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-a130926\" data-id=\"a130926\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-81cbce6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"81cbce6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><em>\u201cThe bigger the project, the more risk for potential problems. \u201cIt\u2019s usually a misalignment of expectations on the customer side and on the capability of the service provider.\u201d<\/em><\/p><p>Damien Bailey<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-bf673ff elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"bf673ff\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-367b6dd\" data-id=\"367b6dd\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-71a504b elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"71a504b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Unfortunately, the estimation process is often subjective and <strong>not<\/strong> repeatable. The person creating estimates is usually an IT generalist and does not have a good understanding of the complexities and risks associated with the various cost model elements.<\/p>\n<p>Over time the models become more complex and job security is ensured as none of the models are documented.<\/p>\n<p>The models generally focus on the \u201crun\u201d or operational costs associated with IT infrastructure and typically ignore things like documentation, training and Service Desk skills required for the new project.<\/p><p>One of the other challenges that faces IT projects is the quality and age of the underlying applications and infrastructure. There comes a point where it is less expensive to retire and application than to fix it or add required additional functionality.<br><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-0129718 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"0129718\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-9311756\" data-id=\"9311756\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-d1e8a2d elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"d1e8a2d\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-ac4bab1\" data-id=\"ac4bab1\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3d84801 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"3d84801\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><strong>Software development<\/strong><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0d6230f elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"0d6230f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Software development estimates are generally based on \u201cexpert judgement\u201d. For anyone interested in this, we would highly recommend the book \u201cSoftware Estimation \u2013 Demystifying the Black Art\u201d by Steve McConnell. One of the more interesting items in the book is the fact that an accurate cost estimate cannot be delivered until sufficient data is available \u2013 the Cone of Uncertainty.<\/p><p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.castsoftware.com\/products\/imaging\"><strong>CAST Imaging<\/strong><\/a> allows your software teams to:<\/p><ul><li>Automatically discover and see the application architecture<\/li><li>Quickly navigate all components and their dependencies<\/li><li>Respond faster to business needs &#8211; from small changes to modernization<\/li><li>Increase cross-team collaboration and efficiency<\/li><li>Speed up knowledge transfer to newcomers<\/li><li>Keep a living knowledgebase of the application\u2019s inner workings<\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-585eaf9\" data-id=\"585eaf9\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4e1bf53 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"4e1bf53\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"532\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lodestar-as.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/cost-estimating-overview-v3-768x532.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium_large size-medium_large\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.lodestar-as.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/cost-estimating-overview-v3-768x532.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.lodestar-as.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/cost-estimating-overview-v3-300x208.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.lodestar-as.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/cost-estimating-overview-v3-1024x709.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.lodestar-as.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/cost-estimating-overview-v3.jpg 1040w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-6d5843d elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"6d5843d\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-711e345\" data-id=\"711e345\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f5f0137 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"f5f0137\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-xl\">Tools<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-7b047dd elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"7b047dd\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-3e3106e\" data-id=\"3e3106e\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5f581ce elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"5f581ce\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>In 2010, a supplier asked us to do a post implementation review of a major bid. We quickly came to the conclusion that they struggled with detailed costing. A worldwide search was then undertaken for cost estimation tools and we became the Australian resellers of the SEER suite of products from Galorath Inc. Given our background, we focus primarily on SEER for IT and SEER for Software.<\/p><p>With the challenges of analysing workloads that can be moved to the cloud, we once again went looking for tools and found CAST Highlight, an amazing tool that takes all the human factor out of software analysis. When coupled with SEER for Software, very accurate estimates can be produced to reflect the time and effort to remediate code in preparation for cloud migration.<\/p><p>While the <strong>tools<\/strong> are very good, the <strong>process<\/strong> is critical to improved cost estimation efficiency.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-bd3fa55 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"bd3fa55\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-212c9c9\" data-id=\"212c9c9\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-bd0db43 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"bd0db43\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-6e13f39\" data-id=\"6e13f39\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8f7d49c elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"8f7d49c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><strong>Galorath Incorporated<\/strong><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-eddd061\" data-id=\"eddd061\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-29b0afd elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"29b0afd\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><strong>CAST Highlight<br \/><\/strong><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-69baa8a elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"69baa8a\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-eddc9a2\" data-id=\"eddc9a2\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cf8babf elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"cf8babf\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><a href=\"https:\/\/galorath.com\/\">SEER By Galorath | Cost Estimation Software | Galorath Inc.<\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-da00b3a\" data-id=\"da00b3a\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-202d81e elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"202d81e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.castsoftware.com\/products\/highlight\">CAST Highlight \u2013 Rapid Application Portfolio Analysis (castsoftware.com)<\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-82d26bd elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"82d26bd\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-31dc4e1\" data-id=\"31dc4e1\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-e3aebb9 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"e3aebb9\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-051e8d0\" data-id=\"051e8d0\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a598400 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"a598400\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The Galorath SEER suite provides the capability to do rough-order-of-magnitude cost models in minutes. As more data becomes available, the models can be refined.<\/p><p>The knowledge bases that come with the product capture typical metrics associated with those project and run activities based common platforms e.g. cloud, ERP, communications etc.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-35e893b\" data-id=\"35e893b\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7ca35c4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"7ca35c4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>58% of developers&#8217; time is spent searching and <br \/>understanding existing code and architecture.<\/p><p>CAST Imaging allows teams to:<\/p><ul><li>Learn application make-up in days vs weeks<\/li><li>Understand end-to-end flows in minutes vs hours<\/li><li>Comprehend app-to-app dependencies in hours vs days<\/li><\/ul><p>\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e3dfbdc elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"e3dfbdc\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-f313ecd elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"f313ecd\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-cbc5a7c\" data-id=\"cbc5a7c\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-667d8b6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"667d8b6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-xl\">Cost estimation maturity<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-e3473ad elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"e3473ad\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-62cee62\" data-id=\"62cee62\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-97920ea elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"97920ea\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-a9974eb\" data-id=\"a9974eb\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3c66680 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"3c66680\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>As with software development, organisations can be at different levels of cost estimation proficiency.<\/p><p>Very few organisations have implemented a dedicated cost estimation centre (CEC) with the sole purpose of providing IT costings. The CEC supports the CIO and IT to estimate costs for IT projects but can also support Procurement to do an internal costing for an IT project before going to market. This ensures that the stakeholder community are aware of the magnitude of the problem before engaging with the market. Many times we have seen customers having an expectation that a project will cost say $3 million and when they go to market it comes back with a price of $5 million. Unfortunately, what usually happens at that point is to see what can be achieved for $3 million\u2026<\/p><p>The CEC can identify high risk projects as well as projects that have a limited return on investment. Thresholds can be set and these projects can be further reviewed for their viability and benefit to the organisation. A large US government department has implemented this approach and claims to be saving approximately $1 billion per annum by not initiating projects that have a low probability of success.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-5f5e5e5\" data-id=\"5f5e5e5\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c1c2900 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"c1c2900\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lodestar-as.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/maturity-1024x576.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.lodestar-as.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/maturity-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.lodestar-as.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/maturity-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.lodestar-as.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/maturity-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.lodestar-as.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/maturity.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-31cdd89 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"31cdd89\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-a196edf\" data-id=\"a196edf\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-28827e9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"28827e9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-d140305 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"d140305\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-f70ca17\" data-id=\"f70ca17\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0f338c1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"0f338c1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-xl\">Our Services<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-572156b elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"572156b\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-e3c7758\" data-id=\"e3c7758\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-ebd060e elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"ebd060e\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-d96fa9b\" data-id=\"d96fa9b\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d9a656f elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"d9a656f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><strong>IT Cost Estimation<\/strong><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-b18e4bb\" data-id=\"b18e4bb\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3f1ee9b elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"3f1ee9b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><strong>Cloud Migration<br \/><\/strong><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-740803c\" data-id=\"740803c\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-27a0a68 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"27a0a68\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><strong>Value Leakage<br \/><\/strong><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-e8cc95a elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"e8cc95a\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-34bfe3a\" data-id=\"34bfe3a\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-362df60 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"362df60\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.lodestar-as.com\/index.php\/it-cost-estimation\/\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"350\" height=\"330\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lodestar-as.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/dice_small_1.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.lodestar-as.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/dice_small_1.jpg 350w, https:\/\/www.lodestar-as.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/dice_small_1-300x283.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 350px) 100vw, 350px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-e950041\" data-id=\"e950041\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-30f6773 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"30f6773\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.lodestar-as.com\/index.php\/cloud-migration\/\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"612\" height=\"408\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lodestar-as.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/cloud.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.lodestar-as.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/cloud.jpg 612w, https:\/\/www.lodestar-as.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/cloud-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 612px) 100vw, 612px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-c8e45db\" data-id=\"c8e45db\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-24a7a50 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"24a7a50\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.lodestar-as.com\/index.php\/value-leakage\/\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lodestar-as.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/value_leakage-1024x683.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.lodestar-as.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/value_leakage-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.lodestar-as.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/value_leakage-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.lodestar-as.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/value_leakage-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.lodestar-as.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/value_leakage-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.lodestar-as.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/value_leakage-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-f79e2a9 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"f79e2a9\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-28cb434\" data-id=\"28cb434\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-821b4fa elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"821b4fa\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul><li>Review current costing tools and methods<\/li><li>Develop plan to improve processes and tools<\/li><li>Ensure cost models are archived to review post implementation<\/li><li>Deploy SEER tools if selected<\/li><li>Implement CEC processes and templates<\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-9d3bc8a\" data-id=\"9d3bc8a\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fb91be4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"fb91be4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul><li>Review applicability of CAST tools<\/li><li>Work with programmers to define approach for source code and surveys<\/li><li>Run CAST<\/li><li>Review output and use as input for SEER for Software<\/li><li>Develop cost estimate for remediation<\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-01d71fe\" data-id=\"01d71fe\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ca56b41 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ca56b41\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul>\n<li>Review contract<\/li>\n<li>Review operational reports<\/li>\n<li>Interview CIO and Contract Manager<\/li>\n<li>Identify gaps in service and\/or deliverables<\/li>\n<li>Cost gaps and prepare report<\/li>\n<li>Renegotiate contract terms<\/li><li>Deliver Contract Management class<br><\/li>\n<\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-c7da90b elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"c7da90b\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-51b10f2\" data-id=\"51b10f2\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ef69371 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"ef69371\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-7a6f9ae elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"7a6f9ae\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-c35f812\" data-id=\"c35f812\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3bc5bd7 elementor-align-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"3bc5bd7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"http:\/\/www.lodestar-as.com\/index.php\/contact-us\/\" class=\"elementor-button-link elementor-button elementor-size-md\" role=\"button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Contact Us<\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>\u00a0 Costing and costing systems are a critical part of a business. An understanding of what something is going to cost to build and run is critical for effective decision making. As an executive or board member, can you sign off on IT project cost figures with confidence? Do you have an understanding of effort, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v19.1 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>- www.lodestar-as.com<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.lodestar-as.com\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"- www.lodestar-as.com\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"\u00a0 Costing and costing systems are a critical part of a business. An understanding of what something is going to cost to build and run is critical for effective decision making. 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