Cost estimation of software development and the implications for the program manager
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Authors
Doyle, Glenn Cameron
Subjects
Advisors
San Miguel, Joseph G.
Sovereign, Michael G.
Date of Issue
1992-06
Date
June 1992
Publisher
Monterey, California. Naval Postgraduate School
Language
en_US
Abstract
Cost estimation of computer software development is a critical problem for the Department of Defense. The acquisition of major weapons or hardware has been impacted cost overruns and schedule slippage in software development. Program managers are responsible for estimating a program's using the information provided by the contractor and the cost analysis divisions within the System Commands. This study first analyzes why variance exists between the different estimates for the same software project that are provided to the Program Manager as input to the budget estimate. This study then examines four methods that are used to understand and reduce the variance between the estimates to give the Program Manager more control over the software development cost estimation process. A set of five specific decision rules is developed for the Program Manager to implement in the cost estimation process. The intent of the study is to improve the accuracy of the cost estimate by reducing variance between the independently generated estimate submitted to the Program Manager.
Type
Thesis
Description
Series/Report No
Department
Department of Administrative Sciences
Organization
Naval Postgraduate School
Identifiers
NPS Report Number
Sponsors
Funder
Format
137 p.
Citation
Distribution Statement
Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.
Rights
This publication is a work of the U.S. Government as defined in Title 17, United States Code, Section 101. Copyright protection is not available for this work in the United States.