Cost Estimation Methods in Quality Management and Continuous Improvement: A Reflection of the Relationship

This paper investigated cost estimation methods and continuous improvement in terms of project management planning, as well as the factors that influenced these actions. Estimating the cost was one of the most imperative tasks to be done by the managers for a project. Key factors, such as cost, size, schedule, quality, people resources, maintenance costs, and complexity, were usually estimated in the beginning of project development. The techniques used for cost estimation included data composed from past projects that were combined with mathematical formulae to get the closest estimation. In regards to continuous improvement, the four-step quality model (PDCA cycle) was used as an ongoing effort to improve products or services. PDCA stands for plan, do, check, and act, which were the steps to successfully implement change. Notably, project management, when tasked with cost estimation and continuous improvement, was challenged to cope with evolving and situational alterations, which required a different set of skills.