Case Study
Estimating Software Enhancement Projects
Ian Brown - Senior Associate, Booz Allen Hamilton
Estimation for software enhancements can be particulary difficult because of all the questions that should be answered:
- How will the current system be impacted?
- What is the size of the expected enhancements?
- Is the additional functionality brand new or is it similar to existing functionality?
- If it is similar, can existing functionality be reused or modified to meet the requirements?
- What extent of rework will modifications require?
- Do you need to retest the entire application?
- How do all these factors translate into cost and schedule?
This presentation tackles the challenge of estimating effort, cost, and schedule for software enhancement projects. It presents a methodology that leverages SEER-SEM's Acquisition Method knowledge base and function point analysis. This methodology provides a structured, documentable, repeatable approach that can be used in an enhancement scenario and can be improved over time with adjustments and calibration.
