[mmaimcal] Early Feedback from the ALMA Cost Review

[Alwyn Wootten]

Folks,

I relay a report from our managers.  Thanks to you all for your efforts on
ALMA!

-Al

The committee noted:

- The science capability of a 50-antenna array is extremely exciting;
ALMA is an extremely exciting project for the future.

- The technical readiness level of ALMA is high - there is little risk
to the project from technical issues.

- The project has a management structure capable of running the project.

- The detailed information provided by the IPTs was of high quality; the
committee was very impressed with the efforts made. The IPTs have
developed robust plans containing adequate detail and in the most part
adequate contingency. Nothing obvious seems to be missing. The ALMA IPTs
appeared to be managed well.

- The Operations planning in place seems to be complete and accurate,
but we need to get on with Operations planning.

- The cost growth for the program appears to come from two areas: (1)
the original estimates were made with insufficient knowledge of the
scope of the project; (2) costs associated with the delays of the
antenna contracts and other activities.

- The committee is comfortable that the ALMA Cost Estimate, as
presented, represents a good estimate of the cost to complete the array
   and can be adopted with confidence IF tight schedule discipline is
followed AT ALL LEVELS of the project.

- Hiring in many areas of the project needs to be planned and
implemented rapidly; the committee notes a concern that delays in
developing hiring procedures could have a significant impact to the
schedule (and therefore cost).

- The committee endorses the idea that the project must shift to a
"Build-to-Cost" mindset at this point.

In summary, the committee stated: "ALMA can be built to the current cost
estimate, provided funds are available", and "the estimates provided
appear to be robust and credible."

The response from the committee is pretty much as good as it could be,
so congratulations to everyone. More detailed comments on each IPT will
be presented in the final report.

T. Beasley
A. Russell
H. Rykaczewski