Estimation, Planning and Investment
2005
With a prototype, a validated set of requirements specifications and architecture available, the project manager faces the task of estimating what can be done in the time allotted, how many people it will take and the order of tasks. Staff training, upgrading tools, building test beds or any other investment needed for project success is best made now. This is also the best time to make feature, schedule and cost commitments, but usually these are made well before this point. This push for early commitment often leads to project problems and failures. In the USA, the Standish Group reports, ?>We're losing ground. Only 28% of IT projects succeed these days, down from 34% a year or two ago. Outright failures -- IT projects canceled before completion -- are up to 18% from 15%. The remaining 51% of IT projects are ?>challenged ?>--seriously late, over budget and lacking expected features. ?> The technique of prototyping in various scenarios can mitigate against such failure rates. Software Size Estimation Pitfalls and Pratfalls Software Size Metrics Function Points Fundamentals of Function Point Analysis Brief History Objectives of Function Point Analysis Characteristics of Quality Function Point Analysis Five Major Elements of Function Point Counting External Input (EI) External Output (EO) External Inquiry (E Q) Internal Logical File (ILF) External Interface Files (EIF) Each Element Can Be Simple, Average or Complex Sizing an Automation Project with FPA Advantages of Function Point Measurement Disadvantages of Function Point Measurement Results Common to FPA FPA Accuracy SLOC Metric Company Statistics Reuse Wide Band Delphi Disadvantages of SLOC Production Planning Productivity Mediating Culture Customer Relations Centralized Support Functions Investment Cost Estimation Models COCOMO Scheduling Tools??-??PERT, Gantt Project Manager's Job Additional Problems