Training

Project Estimating

(combined with Introduction to Function Point)

Introduction
Software practitioners are frequently challenged to provide timely and accurate software project estimates. It speaks poorly of the software community that the issue of accurate estimating, early in the lifecycle, has not been adequately addressed and standardized. A government study on software development projects revealed:

• 60% of projects were behind schedule
  50% were over cost, and
  45% of delivered projects were unusable.

At the heart of the estimating challenge are two issues:

• The need to understand and express (as early as possible) the software problem domain
• The need to understand the organization’s capability to deliver the required software solution within a specified environment.

Then, and only then, will it be possible to accurately predict the effort required to deliver the product

Overview
This course will consider the use of a basic estimating model utilizing functional sizing as one of the key components. The value to be gained from utilizing a functional sizing technique, such as function points, is primarily in the capability to accurately estimate a project early in the development process.

Participants will learn how to effectively estimate software projects earlier in the lifecycle and with a higher degree of accuracy. Additionally, they will learn about effective sizing techniques using the function point analysis method. Attendees will also receive a detailed estimating model, which they can use on their projects when they return to their work environment.

What the Attendees Will Learn

• Determining The Size Of The Deliverable
• Identifying The Key Factors In An Effective Estimating Model
• Effectively Assessing The Complexity Of Software
• Recognizing Variables That Influence An Engineer’s Ability To Develop Software
• Building Consistency Into Estimating Practices