This book introduces theoretical concepts to explain the fundamentals of the design and evaluation of software estimation models. It provides software professionals with vital information on the best software management software out there.
* End-of-chapter exercises
* Over 100 figures illustrating the concepts presented throughout the book
* Examples incorporated with industry data
Autorentext
Alain Abran, PhD, is a Professor and the Director of the
Software Engineering Research Laboratory at Université du
Québec, Canada. He is also Co-Chair of the Common Software
Measurement International Consortium. He was the international
secretary for ISO/IEC JTC1 SC7. Dr. Abran has over 20 years of
industry experience in information systems development and software
engineering.
Inhalt
Foreword xiii
Overview xvii
Acknowledgments xxiii
About the Author xxv
Part One Understanding the Estimation Process 1
1. The Estimation Process: Phases and Roles 3
1.1. Introduction 3
1.2. Generic Approaches in Estimation Models: Judgment or Engineering? 4
1.2.1. Practitioner's Approach: Judgment and Craftsmanship 4
1.2.2. Engineering Approach: ModestOne Variable at a Time 5
1.3. Overview of Software Project Estimation and Current Practices 6
1.3.1. Overview of an Estimation Process 6
1.3.2. Poor Estimation Practices 7
1.3.3. Examples of Poor Estimation Practices 9
1.3.4. The Reality: A Tally of Failures 10
1.4. Levels of Uncertainty in an Estimation Process 11
1.4.1. The Cone of Uncertainty 11
1.4.2. Uncertainty in a Productivity Model 12
1.5. Productivity Models 14
1.6. The Estimation Process 16
1.6.1. The Context of the Estimation Process 16
1.6.2. The Foundation: The Productivity Model 17
1.6.3. The Full Estimation Process 18
1.7. Budgeting and Estimating: Roles and Responsibilities 23
1.7.1. Project Budgeting: Levels of Responsibility 23
1.7.2. The Estimator 25
1.7.3. The Manager (Decision-Taker and Overseer) 25
1.8. Pricing Strategies 27
1.8.1. Customers-Suppliers: The Risk Transfer Game in Estimation 28
1.9. Summary Estimating Process, Roles, and Responsibilities 28
Exercises 30
Term Assignments 31
2. Engineering and Economics Concepts for Understanding Software Process Performance 32
2.1. Introduction: The Production (Development) Process 32
2.2. The Engineering (and Management) Perspective on a Production Process 34
2.3. Simple Quantitative Process Models 36
2.3.1. Productivity Ratio 36
2.3.2. Unit Effort (or Unit Cost) Ratio 38
2.3.3. Averages 39
2.3.4. Linear and Non-Linear Models 42
2.4. Quantitative Models and Economics Concepts 45
2.4.1. Fixed and Variable Costs 45
2.4.2. Economies and Diseconomies of Scale 48
2.5. Software Engineering Datasets and Their Distribution 49
2.5.1. Wedge-Shaped Datasets 49
2.5.2. Homogeneous Datasets 50
2.6. Productivity Models: Explicit and Implicit Variables 52
2.7. A Single and Universal Catch-All Multidimensional Model or Multiple Simpler Models? 54
2.7.1. Models Built from Available Data 55
2.7.2. Models Built on Opinions on Cost Drivers 55
2.7.3. Multiple Models with Coexisting Economies and Diseconomies of Scale 56
Exercises 58
Term Assignments 59
3. Project Scenarios, Budgeting, and Contingency Planning 60
3.1. Introduction 60
3.2. Project Scenarios for Estimation Purposes 61
3.3. Probability of Underestimation and Contingency Funds 65
3.4. A Contingency Example for a Single Project 67
3.5. Managing Contingency Funds at the Portfolio Level 69
3.6. Managerial Prerogatives: An Example in the AGILE Context 69
3.7. Summary 71
Further Reading: A Simulation for Budgeting at the Portfolio Level 71
Exercises 74
Term Assignments 75
Part Two Estimation Process: What Must be Verified? 77
4. What Must be Verified in an Estimation Process: An Overview 79
4.1. Introduction 79
4.2. Verification of the Direct Inputs to An Estimation Process 81
4.2.1. Identification of the Estimation Inputs 81
4.2.2. Documenting the Quality of These Inputs 82
4.3. Verification of the Productivity Model 84
4.3.1. In-House Productivity Models 84
4.3.2. Externally Provided Models 85
4.4. Verification of the Adjustment Phase 86
4.5. Verification of the Budgeting Phase 87
4.6. Re-Estimation and Continuous Improvement to the Full Estimation Process 88
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