Cost estimating also requires maintaining an audit trail of the process.

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Not required
• D. Optional

Answer: (A)

In cost estimating, creating and preserving an audit trail ensures traceability of every assumption, data source, calculation, and decision made during the estimate. An audit trail typically records inputs used (data sources, dates, versions), the methods and models applied, calculations performed, rationale for assumptions, and any approvals or reviews with dates and personnel. This transparency supports defensibility during reviews and audits and enables reproducibility if inputs change or updates are needed. It also helps verify consistency with policy and regulatory requirements and provides a historical record for future estimating and validation.

Therefore, maintaining an audit trail is required. Without it, the estimate’s data provenance and reasoning would be unclear, making it hard to defend or reproduce; options suggesting it isn’t required or is optional do not fit.