Case study

Cost Assurance Review

The NPS-P is one of the most complex and financially sensitive Defence initiatives in Australian history. The ASA needed robust, defensible lifecycle cost estimates to underpin Government decisions — and early Taskforce estimates required significant re-baselining amid evolving requirements, inflation, FX uncertainty and international data integration.

Deployed security-cleared cost estimators & financial specialists alongside ASA and Government (engaged from 2023 to the present).

Rebuilt & re-baselined the lifecycle cost model using analogous, parametric & bottom-up methods.

Normalised & contextualised international nuclear submarine cost data for Australian application.

Developed detailed artefacts —Master Data and Assumptions Lists (MDALs), Cost Data and Assumptions Lists (CDALs), change-control records & assurance documentation.

Implemented structured governance, peer review & traceability, using advanced tools including ACEIT.

Mentored & upskilled APS personnel to strengthen sovereign costing capability.

A revised, defensible set of lifecycle cost estimates strengthening confidence in the program’s financial position.

Improved transparency, governance & auditability of program costing data.

Enhanced confidence in Defence & Government budget planning and investment decisions.

Methodology & outputs independently reviewed and validated against international best practice.

Strengthened sovereign Australian capability in advanced Defence cost estimation & assurance.