Software Cost Estimation Meets Software Diversity

The previous goal of having a one-size-fits-all software cost (and schedule) estimation model is no longer achievable. Sources of wide variation in the nature of software development and evolution processes, products, properties, and personnel (PPPPs) require a variety of estimation models and methods best fitting their situations. This Technical Briefing will provide a short history of pattern-breaking changes in software estimation methods; a summary of the sources of variation in software PPPPs and their estimation implications; a summary of the types of estimation methods being widely used or emerging; a summary of the best estimation-types for the various PPPP-types; and a process for guiding an organization's choices of estimation methods as their PPPP-types evolve.