The original conceptual basis of the Cone of Uncertainty was developed for engineering and construction in the chemical industry by the founders of the American Association of Cost Engineers (now AACE International). They published a proposed standard estimate type classification system with uncertainty ranges in 1958 and presented "cone" illustrations in the industry literature at that time. In the software field, the concept was picked up by Barry Boehm.
The original theoretical foundation of the Cone of Uncertainty was created by the pioneers of the American Association of Cost Engineers (now AACE International) in the chemical industry. They proposed a standard estimate type classification system with uncertainty ranges in 1958 and included "cone" illustrations in industry literature at that time. In the software domain, this concept was adopted by Barry Boehm.