Estimating the total cost of a personnel security clearance

Abstract

The purpose of this MBA project was to identify, classify, and summarize elements of the total cost of human, physical, and financial resources used in the Personnel Security system. This project was conducted at the request of the Defense Personnel Security Research Center. Costs associated with the Personnel Security Clearance system were estimated, and areas for potential cost avoidance were identified. The purpose of this MBA project was to identify, classify, and summarize elements of the total cost of human, physical, and financial resources used in the Personnel Security system. This project was conducted at the request of the Defense Personnel Security Research Center. Costs associated with the Personnel Security Clearance system were estimated, and areas for potential cost avoidance were identified. Activity-based Costing was used to help identify time-related costs that are often unclear and unbudgeted under the current process. The findings indicate that time-related costs were several times higher than fees charged per investigation.