Software Development Projects: Estimation of Cost and Effort (A Manager's Digest).
Charles James Pierce, Rebecca Wagner · Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) · 1982
This research focuses on the principles upon which models have been, and may be, constructed for estimating cost and effort in software development projects. A definition of and factors influencing software engineering economics is presented. The major phases and activities of the software lifecycle are described. Effort, time and cost estimation is analyzed. A presentation is then given of some widely used models for estimating cost and effort. Critical factors which must be considered when constructing a model for estimating cost and effort in software development projects are then presented. The authors summarize by citing areas that require more attention if cost and effort estimates are to be further improved. (Author)