How can you make a business case for cost engineering professional development?

1 Identify the gaps and goals

The first step to make a business case for cost engineering professional development is to assess the current state of your skills and knowledge, and compare it with the desired outcomes and expectations. You can use various methods to identify the gaps and goals, such as self-assessment tools, feedback surveys, performance reviews, or benchmarking studies. Once you have a clear picture of where you are and where you want to be, you can define the specific objectives and benefits of cost engineering professional development, such as improving accuracy, efficiency, quality, or compliance.

2 Research the options and costs

The next step is to research the available options and costs of cost engineering professional development, and select the most suitable and feasible ones for your situation. You can look for various sources of cost engineering education and networking, such as online courses, webinars, workshops, conferences, certifications, or memberships in professional associations. You should compare the features, advantages, and disadvantages of each option, and estimate the total costs, including tuition fees, travel expenses, materials, or time. You should also consider the return on investment, or how much value each option can generate for your organization.

3 Align with the strategy and stakeholders

The third step is to align your business case for cost engineering professional development with the overall strategy and vision of your organization, and communicate it effectively to the relevant stakeholders. You should show how cost engineering professional development can support the strategic goals and priorities of your organization, such as increasing profitability, competitiveness, innovation, or customer satisfaction. You should also identify and engage the key decision-makers and influencers who can approve or support your business case, such as senior managers, clients, partners, or sponsors. You should present your business case in a clear, concise, and compelling way, using data, evidence, and examples to illustrate the benefits and impacts of cost engineering professional development.

4 Monitor and evaluate the results

The final step is to monitor and evaluate the results of cost engineering professional development, and report them to the stakeholders and the organization. You should track and measure the progress and outcomes of cost engineering professional development, using quantitative and qualitative indicators, such as cost savings, quality improvements, risk reductions, or customer feedback. You should also collect and share the feedback and testimonials from the participants and the instructors, and highlight the best practices and lessons learned. You should also document and celebrate the achievements and recognition of cost engineering professional development, and acknowledge the contribution and support of the stakeholders and the organization.

5 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?