Introduction
The following survey results were collected from the Washington Capital Area Chapter (WCAC) of ICEAA. The goal of the survey was to gauge chapter Member’s preferences for the type of content, meeting format, and various other topics to better plan events over the preceding year. Survey responses were provided between 2022-11-11 and 2022-11-23 by 21 members (total active chapter membership during this date range was ~450).
Question 1: What type of events would you like to see from your Washington Capital Area ICEAA chapter, in addition to what National provides?
Responses
Analysis
There is strong and equal interest between networking and traditional research/presentations events. Interest in training has waned compared to prior surveys.
Question 2: What type of content are you most interested in?
Responses
Analysis
“Economic Analysis” and “Policy…” have jumped in interest compared to prior years with “Software Cost Estimating” near to top of the list (as always). “Visualization” training has fallen a bit from last year but remains near the top of the list.
Question 3: WWhat time(s) are preferred for ICEAA events?
Responses
Analysis
Members clearly prefer “Social/Networking” after work while they prefer “Research/Presentations” and “Training” to occur during luncheons or web-based/on-demand. These preferences appear consistant with prior survays.
Question 4: How frequent should Washington Capital Area ICEAA chapter events be?
Responses
Analysis
Members have a strong preference for social/networking type events to be quarterly. Opinions appear split between monthly and quarterly events for training and research/presentations.
Question 5: What location(s) do you prefer for ICEAA events (does COVID-19 change your preference)?
Responses
Analysis
Most members continue to prefer training over the web and networking in-person. Although concerns over COVID-19 have somewhat abated compared to last year’s survey, there is still a desire from a significant number of members for in-person events to be either outdoors or well ventilated.
Question 6: I’m more likely to attend an in-person event if it takes place…
Responses
Analysis
This is a new question in this year’s survey but it has a clear response: Members prefer in-person events occur in Northern Virginia!
Question 7: How interested are you in a one-day workshop given the following content options…
Responses
Analysis
There is some demand for a one-day workshop, particularly if the content is comprised of traditional training and/or research. There does not appear to be a strong demand for a “cost estimating competition”.
Question 8: I like the Washington Capital Area ICEAA chapter because…
| I like the Washington Capital Area ICEAA chapter because… |
| I get to stay connected to colleagues who work for other organizations. |
| So far, the social events have not resulted in a job interview because the companies represented at these events have no jobs open. So this organization is not helping me advance my career. |
| Good training and networking |
| It is my local chapter |
| It allows me to network with industry colleagues in the Washington DC area |
| It’s a great community! |
| Thought leadership of members |
| It's where I work |
| it's the local link to ICEAA |
| provides online resources. |
| There is such a concentrated community of cost estimators who work on like projects, so there is plenty of potential for collaboration on ideas or help with roadblocks |
| The people |
| It is a good way to meet people in the field in my geographic area. It is nice to build connections with people in my geographic area, not just at national meetings. |
Question 9: I would become more involved with ICEAA if…
| I would become more involved with ICEAA if… |
| more colleagues, especially from Government organizations, participated in events. |
| You offered real heavy duty job hunting assistance |
| More opportunities to get CCEA recert points |
| There were more opportunities to train for ICEAA certification |
| Already very involved 🙂 |
| N/a 🙂 |
| Conflicts with work is common, not sure how to abate that |
| There was more coverage on software cost estimation |
| I had more hours in the day |
| it has more advanced events for learning. |
| if I could participate more (not just attend the lectures) |
Results
Thanks to everyone who took the time to respond to this year’s survey! Chapter leadership appreciate your responses and we take them very seriously. We will take these results and use them when planning events and activities this year. As always, you are also welcomed to send feedback and ideas to washingtoniceaa@gmail.com.