formalapproachestocostestimation.docVIP

Formal Approaches to Cost Estimation Many formal models proposed over the last four decades. Two categories, cost models and constraint models. Cost models are characterised by a set of equations which given an input which is generally some measure of size, will compute the duration and manning levels required. Constraint models map a relationship, over time, of two or more cost factors, e.g. size, effort, duration, staff levels etc. Cost Models Early cost model were linear but it has been shown there is no clear linear relationship between effort and size. Later cost models were generally based on the following non-linear formula: E = (a + b*(SIZEc)) * f(x1 . . . , xn) Base formula correction (depends on the value of entities (x1, . . . xn) where E = effort a, b and c are derived constants and x 1 to xn are influencing factors which vary from project to project. Boehms CoCoMo There are three forms of the COnstructive COst MOdel : Basic CoCoMo which gives an initial rough estimate of man months and development time, Intermediate CoCoMo which gives a more detailed estimate for small to medium sized projects, Detailled CoCoMo which gives a more detailed estimate for large projects. Models are driven by sizing the project in terms of Delivered Source Instructions. Each model has three sets of equations, one for each of the three modes in which a project is developed, namely Organic Mode for in-house, familiar environments, Embedded Mode for tightly constrained, unique project and Semi-detached Mode which is a mixture of the two above.  Basic CoCoMo calculates a cost estimate based on project size using the following equations: Organic mode: Semi-detached mode Embedded mode MMd = 2.4(KDSI)1.05 MMd = 3.0(KDSI)1.12 MMd = 3.6(KDSI) 1. 20 MMam =1.0 (ACT) (MMd) MMam = 1.0 (ACT) (MMd) MMam =1.0 (ACT) (MMd) TDEV =2.5(MMd)0.38 TDEV = 2.5(MMd)0.35 TDEV=2.5(MMd)0.32 Where MMd: the time, in man-months, to