On the portability of quantitative software estimation models
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Authors
Abdel-Hamid, Tarek K.
Madnick, Stuart E.
Subjects
Software Estimation, Software Projects, Software Project Management, System Dynamics, Simulation
Advisors
Date of Issue
1988-01
Date
Publisher
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Language
Abstract
Evidence in the literature indicates that the portability of currently available quantitative software estimation models is poor. A primary reason is that most models fail to account for managerial characteristics of the software development environment; a set of factors that tend to vary signinificantly from one organization to another. A major stumbling block has been the inability to quantify the impact of managerial -type factors on cost.In this study, we take a first step towards rectifying this situation. An extensive simulation model of the software development process is developed and used to identify managerial factors that impact the cost of software development, and to quantify the degree of that impact. Because the areas identified are variables that the project manager can objectively evaluate at the beginning of a software project, it should be feasible to incorporate them in future cost estimation models. This, we feel, would improve both their accuracy and portability.
Type
Working Paper
Description
Working Paper, Alfred P. Sloan School of Management
Series/Report No
Department
Administrative Sciences
Organization
Identifiers
NPS Report Number
Sponsors
Funding
Format
46 p.
Citation
Abdel-Hamid, Tarek K., and Stuart E. Madnick. "On the portability of quantitative software estimation models." Information & Management 13.1 (1987): 1-10.
Distribution Statement
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.