Project Estimation
For an effective management, accurate estimation of various measures is a must.
With the correct estimation, managers can manage and control the project more
efficiently and effectively.
Project estimation may involve the following:
Software size estimation
Software size may be estimated either in terms of KLOC (Kilo Line of Code)
or by calculating number of function points in the software. Lines of code
depend upon coding practices. Function points vary according to the user
or software requirement.
Effort estimation
The manager estimates efforts in terms of personnel requirement and
man-hour required to produce the software. For effort estimation software
size should be known. This can either be derived by manager’s experience,
historical data of organization, or software size can be converted into
efforts by using some standard formulae.
Time estimation
Once size and efforts are estimated, the time required to produce the
software can be estimated. Efforts required is segregated into sub
categories as per the requirement specifications and interdependency of
various components of software. Software tasks are divided into smaller
tasks, activities or events by Work Breakthrough Structure (WBS). The
tasks are scheduled on day-to-day basis or in calendar months.
The sum of time required to complete all tasks in hours or days is the total
time invested to complete the project.
Cost estimation