Cost Estimating Community of Practice Symposium

The Cost Estimating Community of Practice (CECOP) serves as the National Nuclear Security Administration’s (NNSA) premier collaborative forum for advancing cost estimating practices across the Nuclear Security Enterprise (NSE). CECOP promotes the exchange of best practices, emerging analytical techniques, and strengthens partnerships among professionals in cost estimating, resource planning, scheduling, risk management, and cost control. While centered on the NSE, the symposium is open to the public and regularly draws participants from across the federal government, including the Department of Energy (DOE), Department of Defense (DoD), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Government Accountability Office (GAO), and other relevant agencies and institutions.

Link to this year’s CECOP Symposium: Coming Soon

Background

CECOP operates under the leadership of the Cost Estimating Analysis Group (CEAG) and provides a structured venue for sharing cost estimating innovations, methodologies, and best practices. The primary vehicle for this knowledge exchange is the annual CECOP Symposium, first held in Washington, DC in 2017. The symposium rotates each year among different NSE locations and is organized jointly with the local host site. The event showcases CEAG-led initiatives, encourages peer exchange, and highlights forward-leaning topics in cost analysis and project controls.

Purpose

The CECOP Symposium is designed to be an interactive, cross-disciplinary forum for professionals in cost estimating, project controls, and project management. It aims to deepen the understanding of cost analysis from multiple perspectives, enabling participants to share challenges, solutions, and advancements. By fostering dialogue among practitioners, the symposium seeks to bridge gaps in practice and promote consistent application of best-in-class estimating methods across the NSE. Ultimately, the event supports continuous improvement in strategic planning, decision-making, and execution of complex government programs.

Scope & Participation

The three-day symposium features a dynamic agenda that includes keynote addresses, technical presentations, hands-on workshops, and professional networking opportunities. While in-person attendance is encouraged to maximize engagement, a virtual participation option is available for those unable to travel to the upcoming host location.

Goals & Objectives

The core objective of the CECOP Symposium is to support the professional development of NNSA’s cost estimating community by fostering collaboration, disseminating knowledge, and cultivating leadership in the field. Attendees will gain actionable insights, expand their professional networks, and leave better equipped to deliver more accurate, defensible cost estimates. These improved capabilities contribute directly to more informed decisions, enhanced resource stewardship, and greater mission success across the Nuclear Security Enterprise.

General CECOP Dates & Deadlines

Date	Deadline*
Call for Abstracts	February - March
Abstracts Due	March
Acceptance Notification	April
Registration Open	June - July
Annual Symposium	August

*Please note that the above deadlines are general guidelines from previous CECOP schedules and are subject to change. Information pertaining to this year’s CECOP symposium can be found on its website, which is distributed annually to the CECOP distribution list in approximately late spring.

For any inquiries, requests to join the CECOP distribution list, or abstract submissions, please email CECOP@nnsa.doe.gov.

Previous CECOP Symposiums

9th Annual CECOP Symposium

October 28-30, 2025 (Canceled due to lapse in appropriations)

Los Alamos National Laboratories (SNL)

Program Book (PDF)

8th Annual CECOP Symposium

July 23-25, 2024

Sandia National Laboratories (SNL)

Program Book (PDF)

Select Presentations

7th Annual CECOP Symposium