The objective of DACE is to promote knowledge of cost engineering and its application in deciding on and monitoring the costs of investment projects. Achievement of the objective is aimed for by forming special interest groups and project groups of professional cost engineers, building cost experts and value analysts.

In co-operation with Hogeschool (College of Higher Education) Arnhem & Nijmegen (HAN) cost engineers are trained in a two-year course, in the dutch language. The certificate of the course is internationally recognised. In addition, various training courses in the fields of Cost Engineering , Value Engineering & Value Analysis are organised.

DACE is the editor of the DACE price booklet, published by Reed Business Education, containing cost data for making estimates and of the loose-leaf Cost Engineers Manual published by Kluver BV.