Have you ever wanted to hear other program manager's experiences delivering applications using agile? Learn about others success and challenges in using analysis to prepare contracts for IT efforts? Find out how cost analysis could help you manage an IT program? Build a network of peers across program management, contracting, technology, and cost analysis? Understand the cost and resource benefits and limitations of new, emerging development paradigms? If so, the Joint IT and Software Cost Forum is for you!
This joint forum is co-chaired and organized by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA), the Air Force Cost Analysis Agency (AFCAA), the Missile Defense Agency’s (MDA) Cost Estimating Directorate, the Office of the Secretary Defense Cost Analysis and Program Evaluation (OSD CAPE), the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army (Cost & Economics), and the U.S. Census Bureau’s Office of Program Performance and Stakeholder Integration (PPSI).
Our forum’s mission is to build coalitions across Federal agencies and industry by bringing together program managers, technologists, contracting officers, and cost analysts by sharing successes, challenges, and best practices to solve information technology, software, and cost estimating challenges.
Forum Topics Include:
Cyber Security
Emerging Technologies
SW and IT Program Management and Contracting
Agile/Cloud
Analytical Methods and Modeling
History and Overview of the Joint IT & Software Cost Forum
The Joint IT and Software Cost Forum (JITSWCF) traces its origins to the formation of the Software and Information Technology Cost Integrated Product Team (Software and IT-CIPT) by the Naval Center for Cost Analysis (NCCA) on August 10, 2015. The inaugural meeting, held at the Lockheed Martin Global Vision Center in Crystal City, Virginia, under the leadership of Dr. Wilson Rosa, marked the beginning of a collaborative effort to enhance software and IT cost estimation. With over 134 participants, the meeting garnered highly positive feedback, establishing a foundation for continued growth.
In August 2016, the Software and IT-CIPT merged with the IT-Cost Analysis and Support Team (IT-CAST) to form a joint cross-agency forum known as "Software and IT-CAST." This initiative, co-led by NCCA and the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency Corporate Assessment and Program Evaluation (NGA CAPE), became a critical platform for government and industry professionals to exchange cost data, share best practices, and develop solutions for software and IT cost estimation. This evolving collaboration eventually became the annual Joint IT and Software Cost Forum.
By 2020, the Department of Homeland Security’s Cost Analysis Division (CAD) assumed sponsorship of the forum, partnering with the NGA and the National Security Agency (NSA). Even amid the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, the forum successfully transitioned to a fully virtual format, expanding its reach and inclusivity. DHS CAD also broadened the scope of the event, bringing in Program Managers and Software Experts to join discussions that were traditionally held among cost analysts. This shift has led to richer dialogue, better identification of shared challenges, and a more comprehensive approach to addressing them.
By 2022, the Joint IT and Software Cost Forum had grown even stronger, with partnerships that now include the Air Force Cost Analysis Agency, Missile Defense Agency, U.S. Census Bureau, Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army for Cost and Economics (ODASA-CE), and the Office of the Secretary of Defense Cost Assessment and Program Evaluation (OSD CAPE). This broad coalition has helped the event emerge as a premier venue for collaboration and innovation in IT and software cost estimation across the federal government.
Key Accomplishments of the Joint IT & Software Cost Forum:
- Enhanced Federal Collaboration: The forum has become a key platform for fostering cross-agency collaboration. Federal IT and software leaders share best practices, tackle common challenges, and work toward unified approaches in cost estimating and program management.
- Adoption of Innovative Practices: Participants gain exposure to cutting-edge methodologies, including machine learning for cost analysis, agile budgeting techniques, and strategies for cloud cost optimization, helping to drive innovation in federal cost estimating practices.
- Strengthened Leadership and Governance: The forum equips senior leaders and program managers with valuable insights, empowering them to oversee IT investments more effectively, manage risks, and make informed strategic decisions.
- Improved Communication and Transparency: The event has placed a strong emphasis on improving communication and transparency, enabling IT Program Managers, Cost Estimators, and executive leaders to align better and foster trust in cost estimating and decision-making processes.
Participant feedback consistently highlights the forum’s value, citing improved understanding of cost estimation techniques, agile methodologies, and enhanced connections within the federal IT and project management communities. The forum has been praised for its role in fostering collaboration, showcasing the latest technologies, and providing essential insights into IT program management.
The Joint IT & Software Cost Forum continues to be a driving force in advancing IT and software cost estimation across the federal government, promoting innovation, transparency, and collaboration in this critical field.
JITSWCF’s 2024 proceedings were held from September 17 – 19, 2024. Details for next year’s conference will be released in summer of 2025.
- 2020 JITSWCF Slides and Video Recordings on Bigmarker
- 2021 JITSWCF Slides and Video Recordings on Bigmarker
- 2022 JITSWCF Slides and Video Recordings on Bigmarker
- For the 2023 and 2024 Slides and Video Recordings, please email JointITSWCostForum@hq.dhs.gov.
Contact us at JointITSWCostForum@hq.dhs.gov.