"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
Table of Contents:
List of Figures xvii List of Tables xix Foreword xxv Preface xxvii Acknowledgments xxxiii Chapter 1: Introduction 1 What Is Software Estimation? 1
Ingredients of a Good Estimation 6
Software Project Estimation 8
Continuous Improvement Cycle 12
Why Software Estimation? 15
Estimation--Who and How 19
Conclusion 21
References 22
Other Interesting Reading Material 23
Chapter 2: Role of Estimation in Software Projects 25 Software Projects and Estimation 25
Estimation and Measurement 31
Large Application Systems 40
Conclusion 42
References 43
Other Interesting Reading Material 43
Chapter 3: A Study of Function Point Analysis 45 Why Estimation? 45
Function Points 47
Function Point Analysis 51
Conclusion 70
References 72
Chapter 4: Data Functions 73 Introduction 73
Definition of Files 74
Data Functions Defined by IFPUG 75
Conclusion 95
References 96
Other Interesting Reading Material 96
Chapter 5: Transactional Functions 97 Introduction 97
Definition of Transactions 98
Albrecht's Definition of Transactions 100
Transactional Functions Defined by IFPUG 102
EI, EO, and EQ 104
Complexity and FP Count Contributions 111
Invoice System--FP Counting Process 116
Conclusion 118
References 119
Other Interesting Reading Material 119
Chapter 6: General System Characteristics 121 Introduction 121
Functional and Non-Functional Requirements 122
Introduction to General System Characteristics 123
Guidelines for General System Characteristics 125
GSC and NFR 137
Conclusion 146
References 147
Other Interesting Reading Material 147
Chapter 7: Size, Effort, and Scheduling of Projects 149 Importance of Size 149
Inputs to Sizing 155
Impact of Delivery Rate 159
Effort and Schedule 163
Conclusion 167
References 168
Other Interesting Reading Material 169
Chapter 8: Estimation Flavors 171 Change Forever 171
Development Projects 173
Reengineering Projects 177
Migration Projects 182
Maintenance Projects 183
Conclusion 192
References 192
Chapter 9: A Sense of Where You Are 193 On the Right Track, On Time 193
Pervasive Estimations 196
Agile Software Projects 199
Estimation Maturity 208
Conclusion 211
References 212
Other Interesting Reading Material 213
Chapter 10: Tips, Tricks, and Traps 215 Introduction 215
Tricks 221
Traps 225
Conclusion 230
References 231
Other Interesting Reading Material 231
Chapter 11: Insourcing versus Outsourcing 233 Introduction 233
Environment--The Differentiator 234
Estimation Approach 239
Insourcing versus Outsourcing: Pros and Cons 242
Conclusion 247
References 247
Chapter 12: Key Factors in Software Contracts 249 Introduction 249
Types of Contracts 250
Project Execution Methods 257
Conclusion 263
References 263
Chapter 13: Project Estimation and Costing 265 Introduction 265
Project Lifecycle Phases and Cost 266
Estimation and TCO 272
Conclusion 274
Other Interesting Reading Material 275
Chapter 14: Other Estimation Methods 277 Introduction 277
Estimation Methods 277
Heuristic Approach 279
Parametric Approach 285
Estimation Models Pros and Cons 291
Conclusion 294
References 294
Other Interesting Reading Material 295
Chapter 15: Estimation Tools 297 Why Use Tools? 297
List of Tools 302
Conclusion 305
References 306
Other Interesting Reading Material 306
Chapter 16: Estimation Case Study 307 Introduction 307
Case Study: 1--Invoicing System 312
Case Study 2: Enhanced Invoicing System 350
Conclusion 359
References 359
Other Interesting Reading Material 359
Appendix A: Reference Tables: Transaction Function Counts 361 Reference Table to Calculate ILF/EIF FP Count 361
Reference Table to Calculate EI/EO/EQ FP Count 362
Reference Table to Calculate Total FP Count 362
Reference Table to Calculate VAF from GSC--Total Degree of Influence 363
Appendix B: Reference Tables: Data Function Points 365 Internal Logical Files and External Interface Files 365
External Inputs/External Outputs/External Inquiries 366
Bibliography 369 Index 373
