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cost calculations in the form of sensitivity studies of the economic 
consequences of different product specifications, with the aim of 
enabling the user of photogrammetrie products to make better 
decisions concerning the most efficient product specifications (i.e. 
those yielding the best cost benefit ratio). 
cost calculations as a criterion in decisions concerning the 
investment in new equipment and procedures. 
All too often, these calculations are based largely on intuition and 
experience, which although invaluable managerial tools, should be seen 
as complements to factual information and well defined criteria. 
Intuition and experinece alone will be of little help in estimating 
costs for entirely new situations involving new equipment, new methods 
or changing project parameters. 
Looking at the present situation we note that many organizations have 
their own individual cost models for pricing or internal costing 
purposes. All models are structured differently and are based on 
particular criteria serving specific applications. At the moment it is 
not possible to integrate existing information for the benefit of the 
photogrammetrie communinity as a whole. Furthermore we feel that it is 
very possible that not all organizations fully appreciate all the 
various factors which can influence the total cost of a project. While 
the information in individual organizations may not be fully 
comprehensive, by combining the available information there should be 
advantages both to individual organizations and to the wider community. 
Developing all embracing, yet sufficiently detailed, cost models to 
overcome the present limitations and to be capable of being used to 
investigate our fundamental question, will call for considerable 
breadth of vision from all sections of the photogrammetrie community 
and inevitably a degree of 're-education' will be necessary in some 
areas. It is hoped that this review paper may throw some light on the 
subject area and stimulate further thinking. 
BACKGROUND 
The origins of the OEEPE cost modelling research task can be found in 
published papers (jerie 1973 and 1976). The OEEPE formally accepted the 
research task within the subject area of Commission F in 1978 and an 
international Working Group (WG) was formed early in 1979. 
Resolution, T IV/5 accepted at the ISP congress in 1980 (Hamburg) is 
entitled "Cost Models of photogrammetrie Processes" and reads: 
"The Congress, 
noting that the evaluation of and decisions concerning existing 
and proposed photogrammetric techniques and methods require sound 
and detailed information about the cost aspects of technological 
alternatives, 
referring to the expressed desire of the ISP, to cooperate with 
other scientific organizations within the field, 
realizing that the OEEPE has recently set up a Working Group on 
the "Establishment of Cost Models for Photogrammetric Processes" 
in which a considerable number of mapping organizations and 
experts from within and outside the OEEPE area have agreed to 
cooperate, 
recognizing that the main interest for this subject falls within 
the domain of Comm. 4 of the ISP 
invites the above mentioned Working Group of the OEEPE to report 
the findings to Comm. 4 of the ISP."