Software Estimation Best Practices, Tools & Techniques
Software Estimation Best Practices, Tools & Techniques

Author: Murali Chemuturi

Publisher: J. Ross Publishing

Published: 2009-07-15

Total Pages: 321

ISBN-13: 1604270241

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Almost every software project begins with the utterances, “What will this cost?” and “When will this project be done?” Once those words are spoken, project stakeholders begin to wrestle with how to produce an estimate. Accurately estimating the cost or time to complete a software project is a serious problem for many software engineers, developers and project managers who struggle with costs running double original estimates, putting their careers at risk. It is reported that nearly 50% of all software projects are shelved and that one of the major causes is poor estimation practices. If developing software for internal use, poor estimates can represent a significant drain on corporate profits. Worldwide growth in the number of companies specializing in the development of software for use by other companies is staggering. India alone has nearly 20,000 such companies. Intense competition has led to an increased demand for fixed-bid pricing in client/vendor relationships, and has made effective cost estimation even more important and, in many cases, critical to a firm's survival. There are many methods of estimation. Each method has its strengths and weaknesses, proponents and opponents. Knowing how and which one to use on a given project is key to developing acceptable estimates for either internal or external projects.Software Estimation Best Practices, Tools, & Techniques covers all facets of software estimation. It provides a detailed explanation of the various methods for estimating software size, development effort, cost, and schedule, including a comprehensive explanation of Test Effort Estimation. Emphasizing that software estimation should be based on a well-defined process, it presents software estimation best practices and shows how to avoid common pitfalls. This guide offers direction on which methods are most appropriate for each of the different project types commonly executed in the software development space and criteria for selecting software estimation tools. This comprehensive desk reference explains software estimation from scratch to help the beginner and features advanced techniques for more experienced estimators. It details project scheduling, including resource leveling and the concept of productivity, as applicable to software estimators, demonstrating the many benefits of moving from the current macro-productivity approach to a micro-productivity approach in software estimation. Software Estimation Best Practices, Tools, & Techniques: A Complete Guide for Software Project Estimators caters to the needs of all software project stakeholders, from novice to expert. It provides the valuable guidance needed to estimate the cost and time required to complete software projects within a reasonable margin of error for effective software development.

Software Estimation
Software Estimation

Author: Steve McConnell

Publisher: Microsoft Press

Published: 2006-02-22

Total Pages: 466

ISBN-13: 0735637032

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Often referred to as the “black art” because of its complexity and uncertainty, software estimation is not as difficult or puzzling as people think. In fact, generating accurate estimates is straightforward—once you understand the art of creating them. In his highly anticipated book, acclaimed author Steve McConnell unravels the mystery to successful software estimation—distilling academic information and real-world experience into a practical guide for working software professionals. Instead of arcane treatises and rigid modeling techniques, this guide highlights a proven set of procedures, understandable formulas, and heuristics that individuals and development teams can apply to their projects to help achieve estimation proficiency. Discover how to: Estimate schedule and cost—or estimate the functionality that can be delivered within a given time frame Avoid common software estimation mistakes Learn estimation techniques for you, your team, and your organization * Estimate specific project activities—including development, management, and defect correction Apply estimation approaches to any type of project—small or large, agile or traditional Navigate the shark-infested political waters that surround project estimates When many corporate software projects are failing, McConnell shows you what works for successful software estimation.

Software Estimation Without Guessing
Software Estimation Without Guessing

Author: George Dinwiddie

Publisher: Pragmatic Bookshelf

Published: 2019-12-19

Total Pages: 325

ISBN-13: 1680507419

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Estimating software development often produces more angst than value, but it doesn't have to. Identify the needs behind estimate requests and determine how to meet those needs simply and easily. Choose estimation techniques based on current needs and available information, gaining benefit while reducing cost and effort. Detect bad assumptions that might sink your project if you don't adjust your plans. Discover what to do when an estimate is wrong, how to recover, and how to use that knowledge for future planning. Learn to communicate about estimates in a healthy and productive way, maximizing advantage to the organization and minimizing damage to the people. In a world where most developers hate estimation and most managers fear disappointment with the results, there is hope for both. It requires giving up some widely held misconceptions. Let go of the notion that "an estimate is an estimate" and estimate for the particular need you, and your organization, have. Realize that estimates have a limited shelf-life, and reestimate frequently if it's important. When reality differs from your estimate, don't lament; mine that disappointment for the gold that can be the longer-term jackpot. Estimate in comparison to past experience, by modeling the work mathematically, or a hybrid of both. Learn strategies for effective decomposition of work and aspects of the work that likely affect your estimates. Hedge your bets by comparing the results of different approaches. Find out what to do when an estimate proves wrong. And they will. They're estimates, after all. You'll discover that you can use estimates to warn you of danger so you can take appropriate action in time. Learn some crucial techniques to understand and communicate with those who need to understand. Address both the technical and sociological aspects of estimation, and you'll help your organization achieve its desired goals with less drama and more benefit. What You Need: No software needed, just your past experience and concern for the outcomes.

Mastering Software Quality Assurance
Mastering Software Quality Assurance

Author: Murali Chemuturi

Publisher: J. Ross Publishing

Published: 2010-09-15

Total Pages: 377

ISBN-13: 1604270322

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This comprehensive reference on software development quality assurance addresses all four dimensions of quality: specifications, design, construction and conformance. It focuses on quality from both the micro and macro view. From a micro view, it details the aspect of building-in quality at the component level to help ensure that the overall deliverable has ingrained quality. From a macro view, it addresses the organizational level activities that provide an environment conducive to fostering quality in the deliverables as well as developing a culture focused on quality in the organization. Mastering Software Quality Assurance also explores a process driven approach to quality, and provides the information and guidance needed for implementing a process quality model in your organization. It includes best practices and valuable tools and techniques for software developers.Key Features • Provides a comprehensive, inclusive view of software quality • Tackles the four dimensions of quality as applicable to software development organizations • Offers unique insights into achieving quality at the component level • Deals comprehensively with all aspects of measuring software quality • Explores process quality from the standpoint of implementation rather than from the appraiser/assessor point of view • Delivers a bird's eye view of the ISO and CMMI models, and describes necessary steps for attaining conformance to those models

Practical Software Estimation
Practical Software Estimation

Author: M. A. Parthasarathy

Publisher: Pearson Education

Published: 2003-02-25

Total Pages: 431

ISBN-13: 0132702444

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"A clearly written book that is a useful primer for a very complicated set of topics." --Capers Jones, Chief Scientist Emeritus, Software Productivity Research LLC Practical Software Estimation brings together today's most valuable tips, techniques, and best practices for accurately estimating software project efforts, costs, and schedules. Written by a leading expert in the field, it addresses the full spectrum of real-world challenges faced by those who must develop reliable estimates. M. A. Parthasarathy draws on the immense experience of Infosys, one of the world's largest and most respected providers of IT-enabled business solutions, to bring you the only book with detailed guidance on estimating insourced and outsourced software projects, as well as projects that blend both approaches. He demonstrates how to successfully utilize Function Point (FP) methods, the industry's leading estimation model. Then, using real case studies, he systematically identifies pitfalls that can lead to inaccurate estimates--and offers proven solutions. Coverage includes How to estimate all types of software projects, including "fresh" development, reengineering, and maintenance How to incorporate the impact of core project elements on estimates: scope, environment, experience, and tools FP analysis from start to finish: data and transaction functions, general system characteristics, and more FP methods for any platform or business function Innovative re-estimation methods to track progress How to quote RFPs and prepare contracts: fixed price, time/material, and project execution lifecycle models Alternatives to FP: Delphi, COCOMO II, and COSMIC-FFP How to choose the right estimation tools Practical Software Estimation is the definitive reference for anyone who must estimate software projects accurately: project and IT managers, individual developers, system designers, architects, executives, consultants, and outsourcers alike. List of Figures List of Tables Foreword Preface Acknowledgments Chapter 1: Introduction Chapter 2: Role of Estimation in Software Projects Chapter 3: A Study of Function Point Analysis Chapter 4: Data Functions Chapter 5: Transactional Functions Chapter 6: General System Characteristics Chapter 7: Size, Effort, and Scheduling of Projects Chapter 8: Estimation Flavors Chapter 9: A Sense of Where You Are Chapter 10: Tips, Tricks, and Traps Chapter 11: Insourcing versus Outsourcing Chapter 12: Key Factors in Software Contracts Chapter 13: Project Estimation and Costing Chapter 14: Other Estimation Methods Chapter 15: Estimation Tools Chapter 16: Estimation Case Study Appendix A: Reference Tables: Transaction Function Counts Appendix B: Reference Tables: Data Function Points Bibliography Index

Mastering IT Project Management
Mastering IT Project Management

Author: Murali Chemuturi

Publisher: J. Ross Publishing

Published: 2013-07-31

Total Pages: 385

ISBN-13: 1604270780

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In previous years, setting up IT infrastructure involved just the preparation of the data center. It has become much more complex and evolved today. The infrastructure includes not only the data center facility, but also the entire organization by providing internet connectivity to customers, vendors, and company executives on the move. Mastering IT Project Management is the first book to detail how to create IT infrastructure rather than simply describe how to manage the IT function or software development. This unique and comprehensive reference covers all aspects needed to successfully manage this type of project in an organization. J. Ross Publishing offers an add-on at a nominal cost — Downloadable, customizable tools and templates ready for immediate implementation.

Agile Estimating and Planning
Agile Estimating and Planning

Author: Mike Cohn

Publisher: Pearson Education

Published: 2005-11-01

Total Pages: 526

ISBN-13: 0132703106

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Agile Estimating and Planning is the definitive, practical guide to estimating and planning agile projects. In this book, Agile Alliance cofounder Mike Cohn discusses the philosophy of agile estimating and planning and shows you exactly how to get the job done, with real-world examples and case studies. Concepts are clearly illustrated and readers are guided, step by step, toward how to answer the following questions: What will we build? How big will it be? When must it be done? How much can I really complete by then? You will first learn what makes a good plan-and then what makes it agile. Using the techniques in Agile Estimating and Planning, you can stay agile from start to finish, saving time, conserving resources, and accomplishing more. Highlights include: Why conventional prescriptive planning fails and why agile planning works How to estimate feature size using story points and ideal days–and when to use each How and when to re-estimate How to prioritize features using both financial and nonfinancial approaches How to split large features into smaller, more manageable ones How to plan iterations and predict your team's initial rate of progress How to schedule projects that have unusually high uncertainty or schedule-related risk How to estimate projects that will be worked on by multiple teams Agile Estimating and Planning supports any agile, semiagile, or iterative process, including Scrum, XP, Feature-Driven Development, Crystal, Adaptive Software Development, DSDM, Unified Process, and many more. It will be an indispensable resource for every development manager, team leader, and team member.

Cost Estimating and Contract Pricing
Cost Estimating and Contract Pricing

Author: Gregory A. Garrett

Publisher: Wolters Kluwer

Published: 2008-01-01

Total Pages: 306

ISBN-13: 0808018191

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The process of estimating the cost for the development and delivery of a product, service, or solution can range from simple to highly complex based upon multiple factors including: technology maturity, urgency, geographic location, quantity, quality, availability of resources, hardware and software, systems integration and more. This book provides a comprehensive discussion of cost estimating and contract pricing with extensive use of tools, techniques, and best practices from both the public and private sectors. Key topics of discussion include: Cost estimating methods Cost accounting standards Cost analysis Profit analysis Contract pricing arrangements Price analysis Total ownership cost Earned value management systems

Practical Software Project Estimation: A Toolkit for Estimating Software Development Effort & Duration
Practical Software Project Estimation: A Toolkit for Estimating Software Development Effort & Duration

Author: Peter Hill

Publisher: McGraw Hill Professional

Published: 2010-08-29

Total Pages: 313

ISBN-13: 0071717927

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Product verifiable, defensible, and achievable software estimates Based on data collected by the International Software Benchmarking Standards Group (ISBSG), Practical Software Project Estimation explains how to accurately forecast the size, cost, and schedule of software projects. Get expert advice on generating accurate estimates, minimizing risks, and planning and managing projects. Valuable appendixes provide estimation equations, delivery rate tables, and the ISBSG Repository demographics. Verify project objectives and requirements Determine, validate, and refine software functional size Produce indicative estimates using regression equations Predict effect and duration through comparison and analogy Build estimation frameworks Perform benchmarks using the ISBSG Repository Compare IFPUG, COSMIC, and FiSMA sizing methods Peter Hill is the chief executive officer and a director of the ISBSG. He has been in the information services industry for more than 40 years and has compiled and edited five books for the ISBSG.