AACE CCT case studies
AACE CCT · Put your knowledge to work in context.
The Certified Cost Technician (CCT) is a technician-level credential issued by AACE International and listed on AACE's site under its Technician Certifications, alongside the Certified Scheduling Technician (CST). It is aimed at people in the first years of a cost engineering or project controls career - junior estimators, cost technicians, planners, schedulers, and construction or engineering staff moving into a project controls role - who need to demonstrate a working command of the fundamentals rather than the advanced judgment expected of a professional-level certification. The AACE CCT case studies are 5 cases and about 3,909 words.
1A Class 4 Pipeline Estimate Built on a Simple Average
A midstream operator needs a feasibility-phase (AACE Class 4) estimate for 62 km of new 12-inch gathering line. The estimating team proposes the simple average of three internal analogues: two benign-terrain projects at 1.05M/km and 1.15M/km, and a Rocky Mountain project at 2.20M/km that was 70% rock.
729 words, about 4 min2Negative Float, an Owner Milestone, and a Recovery Plan
A 42-week contract for a compressor station expansion. At the third monthly update the CPM schedule shows a 44-week critical path and several activities carrying −2 weeks of total float.
803 words, about 4 min3Earned Value With a One-Time Insurance Claim
At the end of month 6 of a 12-month, 12.0M fixed-price automation project: PV = 6.00M, EV = 5.10M, AC = 5.70M. The cost ledger shows 0.40M of AC attributable to rework of a control panel damaged in transit; the panel has been rebuilt, the rework is not in the baseline, and the insurer has accepted the claim in principle but has not yet paid.
777 words, about 4 min4A $8.5M Fixed-Price Bid With Retention, LDs and a Competing Job
A contractor is invited to bid an 8.5M, 14-month fixed-price contract. Estimated direct and indirect cost is 7.60M.
800 words, about 4 min5Transferring a Gulf Coast Estimate Into a Live Unit
A refinery owner is budgeting a brownfield tie-in at an inland Midwest site. The estimator takes a 2024 Gulf Coast detailed estimate of 48M for a comparable grassroots unit - 40% labour ( 19.2M), 45% materials ( 21.6M), 15% other and indirects ( 7.2M) - applies a location factor of 1.18 to the total, and adds three years of 3% per year escalation as 9% simple, arriving at $61.7M.
800 words, about 4 min