CostIQ Case-Based Reasoning Model For SEER Customer Order
This week we received our first order for the official release of CostIQ, the case-based reasoning estimation engine for SEER. It has been rewarding to see so many people using the pre-releases and lined up to procure CostIQ.
CostIQ is a Case-Based Reasoning system that can transform high level requirements and specifications into a cost modeling workup within a sophisticated cost estimating model (SEER).
CostIQ will generate robust estimates of effort, cost, schedule, risk and reliability for software, hardware, IT and manufacturing issues using the key functional and / or performance criteria as its inputs.
Case-based reasoning has been formalized as a four-step process:
- RETRIEVE the most similar case or cases
- REUSE the information and knowledge in that case to solve the problem
- REVISE the proposed solution
- RETAIN the parts of this experience likely to be useful for future problem solving
Thank you for reading “Dan on Estimating”, if you would like more information about Galorath’s estimation models, please visit our contact page or call us at +1 310 414-3222.
Estimating Telecommuting Costs & Benefits
Today I received the results of a study on the benefits of telecommuting, prepared for Citrix, which offers remote collaboration technology. The paper discusses the many benefits of telecommuting for those jobs where telecommuting is feasible.
According to the paper, half-time telecommuting is the average for those who telecommute. The article points out potential productivity increases from telecommuting as well as a number of employee specific benefits such as time, gas, accident risks, etc.
It is interesting that they point out ”fewer interruptions” as a benefit. While I am sure some interruptions are non-productive, I have seen some great productivity increases when people are together and can discuss difficult problems “over the water cooler.”
SEER’s multi-site parameter has been proven over time for projects that are geographically diverse AND where people are not immediately accessible. Yet VoiP, Webex, Citrix, and other collaboration technologies have made great strides in bringing people together virtually. Businesses report losses of $600 billion annually in workplace distractions. But the study did not identify how much productivity gains from being together.
SEER-SEM Multi-Site Development sensitivity
I personally work at home for part of each day… answering emails and working on items where I need quiet time before I head to the office. And I do work from home all day a few times per month, usually when I have a paper due or some other deliverable.
Funny, as I was writing this blog post (from my home office…today is a telecommuting day) I received a call from our CFO. We are having a board meeting tomorrow. And I had planned to have conversations with the board group who will be in two time zones and pull in a person who is three time zones earlier… I ended up planning to have this gentleman on the phone at 5:30am…oops). That is really not so much a telecommuting issue as a true multiple site issue… It is more difficult to coordinate with people scattered across the globe.
Thank you for reading “Dan on Estimating”, if you would like more information about Galorath’s estimation models, please visit our contact page or call us at +1 310 414-3222.
Book “Software Sizing, Estimation & Risk Management” Is Now Available Electronically
Dan’s book, Software Sizing, Estimation & Risk Management, is now available via Google books. The Google book version is available for PCs, Macs, Smartphones, and a number of E-readers.
I must admit I don’t carry a copy around because of the weight and bulk. I am looking forward to having the book electronically.
I must also admit I purchased and returned a Kindle recently. It is an amazing device for serial, page by page reading but I just couldn’t make it work for reference materials.
It is so rewarding to see software cost estimating growing in the industry.
Software sizing, estimation, risk management
Thank you for reading “Dan on Estimating”, if you would like more information about Galorath’s estimation models, please visit our contact page or call us at +1 310 414-3222.
Project Prediction Infographic
