Enhancing engineering intuition for shipyard investment cost estimation through a computer-aided training framework

Estimating investment costs for a shipyard requires a high level of expertise, which typically takes time and experience to develop. This research presents a computer-aided training framework to train intuitive skills in estimating investment costs for new shipyards. The study begins with a review of the parametric method, a relevant approach for estimating shipyard investment costs. Subsequently, the recognition-triggered decision method, a technique based on intuitive decision-making, is integrated into a predetermined estimation method. Program and application algorithms are developed accordingly. A prototype of the application is tested on ten participants using the “Two Mean Difference Test.” Prospective estimators undergo pre-test and post-test assessments to evaluate the improvement in their intuitive skills. The results demonstrate that the application effectively enhances the intuitive skills of prospective estimators in estimating the investment costs of new shipyards. This conclusion is supported by the values of “t” and “t of the table,” where 11.53 > 2.262, within a critical range of 5%.