A learning curve based simulation model for software development

Many of the non conventional software development methodologies (such as object-oriented analysis methodology) and tools (such as visual programming environment) have been applied in real life projects. These projects have been started without sufficient previous training given to the developers. An increment in the productivity has been seen as the projects progress. This paper proposes a simulation model for software development which can deal with variances of developers' productivity during software development. As the proposed model takes into account the developer's learning curve, it can be used to compute a developer's productivity and the quantity of gain to the developer's knowledge in executing an activity. The proposed model has been applied to four typical scenarios in our case study. The results show that it is highly practicable. An outline of a project planning prototype which is based on the proposed model is presented. The prototype can be used to make project plans which take the developer's learning curve into consideration.