Requirements estimation guideline for IT projects at Scania Networks AB
Anatol Siamionau · KTH Publication Database DiVA (KTH Royal Institute of Technology) · 2011
There is a big lack in mechanisms and models of estimating initial requests based on high requirements specifications in software implementation and development projects. The report is done to satisfy needs of Scania Networks organization – the IT project coordinator at Scania. The problem is that Scania Networks clients demand to make a quick and rough estimation in a very early stage of a project, and there is no common method for requirements estimating based on high level description. To suggest and apply the right requirements estimation method, quantitative research methodology will be used with the following methods: survey, interviews, workshop, literature review, data analysis. As a result, the report will provide a requirements estimation guideline with recommended estimation methods and processes for making rough requirements estimations in software projects. Several valuable recommendations of current threats and available opportunities at Scania Networks organization were identified. In addition, I proposed initial requirements for lessons learned repository, identified barriers for accurate estimation, suggested overcome solutions and adopted analysis effort estimation method and Use ‐Case‐Points at Scania Networks. Analysis effort method can reduce up to 80% man‐hours efforts spent on estimation. Furthermore, time response to client is decreasing up to 75% with a help of this method. The analysis effort method was accepted and validated during the internal workshop among project managers and application usage experts. Use‐Case‐Points method is recommended to use for development projects as an additional estimation technique to analysis effort. Each of the method is supported with a detail estimation process guideline. The report will be useful to read for project managers, business analysts, account managers, application usage experts primarily from Scania Networks organization, but also it might be interesting to other professionals who are interested in improving the way of doing rough estimations in software development and implementation projects.