This is not a history lesson, however the comparison is uncanny. The industrial revolution changed the world from a handicraft economy into machine manufacturing and now we are seeing a transformation from software manufacturing to software factories. Software factories are rapidly popping up in the DoD, and they are a relatively new concept that we all have to learn fast. Estimating these factories has proven difficult as there is no historical precedent to lean on. Luckily, the Air Force is here to lead the charge! This presentation will include a software factory 101, estimating methodologies that utilize data we’ve collected, and lessons learned to improve the process such as the introduction of a recommended standard WBS for Software Factories leveraging DevSecOps processes that will aide in structuring a cost estimate. Consider this an invitation to make history together by shaping, standardizing, and implementing these initial software factory cost estimating methods!