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

Author: M. A. Parthasarathy
Publisher: Pearson Education
ISBN: 0132702444
Category : Computers
Languages : en
Pages : 431

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Book Description
"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

Author: Peter Hill
Publisher: McGraw Hill Professional
ISBN: 0071717927
Category : Computers
Languages : en
Pages : 313

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Book Description
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.

Author: Steve McConnell
Publisher: Microsoft Press
ISBN: 0735637032
Category : Computers
Languages : en
Pages : 466

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Book Description
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.

Author: Linda M. Laird
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
ISBN: 0471792527
Category : Computers
Languages : en
Pages : 276

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Book Description
An effective, quantitative approach for estimating and managing software projects How many people do I need? When will the quality be good enough for commercial sale? Can this really be done in two weeks? Rather than relying on instinct, the authors of Software Measurement and Estimation offer a new, tested approach that includes the quantitative tools, data, and knowledge needed to make sound estimations. The text begins with the foundations of measurement, identifies the appropriate metrics, and then focuses on techniques and tools for estimating the effort needed to reach a given level of quality and performance for a software project. All the factors that impact estimations are thoroughly examined, giving you the tools needed to regularly adjust and improve your estimations to complete a project on time, within budget, and at an expected level of quality. This text includes several features that have proven to be successful in making the material accessible and easy to master: * Simple, straightforward style and logical presentation and organization enables you to build a solid foundation of theory and techniques to tackle complex estimations * Examples, provided throughout the text, illustrate how to use theory to solve real-world problems * Projects, included in each chapter, enable you to apply your newfound knowledge and skills * Techniques for effective communication of quantitative data help you convey your findings and recommendations to peers and management Software Measurement and Estimation: A Practical Approach allows practicing software engineers and managers to better estimate, manage, and effectively communicate the plans and progress of their software projects. With its classroom-tested features, this is an excellent textbook for advanced undergraduate-level and graduate students in computer science and software engineering. An Instructor Support FTP site is available from the Wiley editorial department.

Author: Murali Chemuturi
Publisher: J. Ross Publishing
ISBN: 1604270241
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 321

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Book Description
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.

Author: Steve McConnell
Publisher: Pearson Education
ISBN: 0735636974
Category : Computers
Languages : en
Pages : 952

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Book Description
Widely considered one of the best practical guides to programming, Steve McConnell’s original CODE COMPLETE has been helping developers write better software for more than a decade. Now this classic book has been fully updated and revised with leading-edge practices—and hundreds of new code samples—illustrating the art and science of software construction. Capturing the body of knowledge available from research, academia, and everyday commercial practice, McConnell synthesizes the most effective techniques and must-know principles into clear, pragmatic guidance. No matter what your experience level, development environment, or project size, this book will inform and stimulate your thinking—and help you build the highest quality code. Discover the timeless techniques and strategies that help you: Design for minimum complexity and maximum creativity Reap the benefits of collaborative development Apply defensive programming techniques to reduce and flush out errors Exploit opportunities to refactor—or evolve—code, and do it safely Use construction practices that are right-weight for your project Debug problems quickly and effectively Resolve critical construction issues early and correctly Build quality into the beginning, middle, and end of your project

Author: Mike Cohn
Publisher: Pearson Education
ISBN: 0132703106
Category : Computers
Languages : en
Pages : 526

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Book Description
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.

Author: John T. Betts
Publisher: SIAM
ISBN: 0898716888
Category : Mathematics
Languages : en
Pages : 442

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Book Description
A focused presentation of how sparse optimization methods can be used to solve optimal control and estimation problems.

Author: Barry W. Boehm
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Computers
Languages : en
Pages : 554

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Book Description
Don't become a statistic--take control of your software projects and plan for success! Success in all types of organization depends increasingly on the development of customized software solutions, yet more than half of software projects now in the works will exceed both their schedules and their budgets by more than 50%. While some types of overruns remain unpredictable, most can be avoided by sound modeling. COCOMO II provides you with a thorough rework of the classic COCOMO model to address modern software processes and construction techniques along with representative examples of applying the models to key software decision situations. It was calibrated and validated using innovative statistical techniques to fit both expert judgment and 161 carefully collected project data points. The book also introduces emerging COCOMO II extensions for cost and schedule estimation of COTS integration and rapid development. You'll also: Learn firsthand from knowledgeable authors--over 100 person-years of software cost estimation experience Make better software decisions by exploring their cost implications Use the cost and schedule estimates to better plan and control your projects and manage your risks Get started now with the software on the accompanying CD Keep up to date with the authors' Web site Software engineers, managers, and students will all find Software Cost Estimation with COCOMO II an invaluable guide to developing and managing successful software projects on time and under budget. About the CD-ROM The accompanying CD-ROM includes a current copy of COCOMO II, along with demonstration versions of three commercial COCOMO II packages and an extensive documentation suite. All examples from the book are provided live, so you can work them hands on, along with the reading.

Author: Robert B. Grady
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Computers
Languages : en
Pages : 296

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Book Description
This application-oriented book shows how to apply proven software metrics and methods to efficiently manage software development and maintenance--to help boost productivity, efficiency, and quality of software projects at every stage of the process. Detailing practical methods throughout, the book covers tips to best measure and present progress, a useful model for understanding organization limitations, possible problems in process improvement illustrated by examples, evidence of what works and what doesn't work, and more. An ideal reference for project managers and professionals responsible for process improvement.n