The 10 Step Software Estimation Process For Successful Software Planning, Measurement and Control
Daniel D. Galorath · 2006
An effective software estimate provides the information needed to design a workable software development plan. How well the project is estimated is ultimately the key to the project’s (and product’s) success. An effective software estimate provides important information for making project decisions, projecting performance, and defining objectives and plans. Without the proper guidance in a project, the results could be disastrous. Viable estimation is extremely valuable for project success for nearly any software project from small agile projects to huge projects. The focus of this paper is how to make software projects more successful by properly estimating and planning costs, schedules, risks, and resources. It begins by covering the fundamental problems of unreasonable software estimation: not planning up front; failure to use viable estimates as the bases of an achievable project plan, not updating the plan and estimates when a project changes, and failing to consider the uncertainties inherent in estimates. Most estimates are prepared early on in the life cycle of a project, when there are typically a large number of undefined areas related to the project. The steps presented in this paper provide a complete method for developing estimates and plans. This paper proposes a 10-step estimation process that begins by addressing the need for project metrics and the fundamental software estimation concepts. It shows how to build a viable project estimate, which includes the work involved in the actual generation of an estimate, including sizing the software, generating the actual software project estimate, and performing risk/uncertainty analysis. Finally the process rounds out with a discussion on validation of the estimate, obtaining lessons learned, and use of the estimate throughout the project. Based on the book, Software Sizing, Estimation, and Risk Management: When Performance is Measured Performance Improves, by Daniel D. Galorath and Michael W. Evans (Auerbach Publications, February 2006, ISBN: 0849335930)