A Practical Approach for Reliable Pre-Project Effort Estimation.
Carl Friedrich Kreß, Oliver Hummel, Mahmudul Huq · 2014
Abstract. Precise estimation is an important foundation for accurate project planning and staffing. However, state of practice methods (such as Function Points) typically require a thorough elicitation and analysis of system require-ments, which is usually not available in an early project phase or even before a project begins. Use Case Points (UCP) are a possible solution for this dilemma and hence, in this paper we explain how a practically successful approach that combines UCP with COCOMO-based estimation can help to derive more accu-rate estimates. Moreover, we discuss how these estimates can be based on min-imal “use case briefs ” that allow estimation with less upfront effort than their “fully dressed ” variant. The presented approach is thus applicable on a rudi-mentary understanding of requirements and helps to reduce the investment nec-essary for effort estimations before or soon after project initialization. Moreo-ver, it is applicable by both, the customer as well as the IT service provider.