A cooperative estimation method by visualizing inter-module relations in the reuse-based embedded software development and its evaluation

In the development of reuse-based software, it is necessary at the beginning to judge the feasibility of the development project including the estimation of a workload, development period, required engineers and skill, development cost such as real dispensation, a developer, and cost volume profit,. Computer assistance is desired for extracting a software module for reuse from existing software and improving the efficiency and accuracy of development estimation work. In this paper, A cooperative estimation assistance system utilizing configuration management technique which visualizes the relationship between software modules of the existing software is proposed. Thus this system supports the estimation in ascertaining of the development range, the total of the workload of the probed software, the allocation of development engineers, and the collaboration in dispersed development environment. Furthermore, this paper describes the application of the proposed method to the prototype of software reuse development, and its evaluation. © 2009 The Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan.