The Rayleigh curve as a model for effort distribution over the life of medium scale software systems
G. O. Picasso, Victor Robert Basili · NASA Technical Reports Server (NASA) · 1982
It is noted that previous investigations into the applicability of Rayleigh curve model to medium scale software development efforts have met with mixed results. The results of these investigations are confirmed by analyses of runs and smoothing. The reasons for the models' failure are found in the subcycle effort data. There are four contributing factors: uniqueness of the environment studied, the influence of holidays, varying management techniques and differences in the data studied.