The ESA initiative for software productivity benchmarking and effort estimation

The increasing general importance and scope of software applications is evident in almost every facet of modern life. There have been dramatic advances in computer technology and processing capability, with even the PCs to be found in many households having a processing capacity and range of sophisticated software which surpasses much of what was to be found in commerce and industry just a few years ago. It is therefore hardly surprising that in a leading-edge, high-technology activity like the space sector there has been a similarly marked increase in software applications and associated expenditure. This trend seems set to continue, in all probability with increasing momentum.