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V5 N2 Paper 4
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Annals of the MS in Computer Science and Information Systems at
UNC Wilmington
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Fall 2011
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Comparative Assessment of Software Development Project Effort Estimation Tools
Lorie McClain
Committee
Abstract
Despite the fact there has been ongoing research on software development project effort estimation techniques for over forty years, studies have shown that, on average, projects consistently overrun the original effort estimates in time and dollars. These costly overruns have left many organizations in a situation where the only alternatives are to abandon a project or to start over with a new project which leaves the project objectives unsupported for much longer than intended. Software development projects have become increasingly maligned and the delivery methods are under heavy suspicion by those who provide the funding. The traditional estimation methods which are based on either expert judgment or formal mathematical models are not proving to be as reliable as needed and there is debate as to the best method to use to achieve maximum accuracy. This paper provides an assessment of actual project data against both expert estimations and formal models via use of an automated tool. Results indicate that the expert estimation method is more accurate than the formal methods, however, there are noted shortcomings with the research so guidance is provided to increase the validity of any future investigation in this area.
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Recommended Citation:
McClain, L., Janicki, T, Simmonds, D., Rosen, D. (2011) Comparative Assessment of Software Development Project Effort Estimation Tools. Annals of the Master of Science in Computer Science and Information Systems at UNC Wilmington, 5(2) paper 4. http://csbapp.uncw.edu/data/mscsis/full.aspx.
|
V5 N2 Paper 4
|
Annals of the MS in Computer Science and Information Systems at
UNC Wilmington
|
Fall 2011
|
