This paper aims to provide a basis for the improvement of software-estimation research through a systematic review of previous work. The review identifies 304 software cost estimation papers in 76 journals and classifies the papers according to research topic, estimation approach, research approach, study context and data set. A Web-based library of these cost estimation papers is provided to ease the identification of relevant estimation research results. The review results combined with other knowledge provide support for recommendations for future software cost estimation research, including: 1) increase the breadth of the search for relevant studies, 2) search manually for relevant papers within a carefully selected set of journals when completeness is essential, 3) conduct more studies on estimation methods commonly used by the software industry, and 4) increase the awareness of how properties of the data sets impact the results when evaluating estimation methods

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A Systematic Review of Software Development Cost Estimation Studies

Current software cost estimation models, such as the 1981 Constructive Cost Model (COCOMO) for software cost estimation and its 1987 Ada COCOMO update, have been experiencing increasing difficulties in estimating the costs of software developed to new life cycle processes and capabilities. These include non-sequential and rapid-development process models; reuse-driven approaches involving commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) packages, re-engineering, applications composition, and applications generation capabilities; object-oriented approaches supported by distributed middleware; and software process maturity initiatives. This paper summarizes research in deriving a baseline COCOMO 2.0 model tailored to these new forms of software development, including rationale for the model decisions. The major new modeling capabilities of COCOMO 2.0 are a tailorable family of software sizing models, involving Object Points, Function Points, and Source Lines of Code; nonlinear models for software reuse and re-engineering; an exponentdriver approach for modeling relative software diseconomies of scale; and several additions, deletions and updates to previous COCOMO effort-multiplier cost drivers. This model is serving as a framework for an extensive current data collection and analysis effort to further refine and calibrate the model's estimation capabilities.

Cost models for future software life cycle processes: COCOMO 2.0

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Today's industrial landscape is characterized by rapid change and systemic technologies. Rapidchange results in ever shorter product life cycles that demand continual innovation from firms.The systemic nature of technologies makes it difficult, if not impossible, for any one firm tomanufacture all components of a technological system. We propose that these challenges bemet by designing technological systems that have the potential to yield economies of substitution.Additionally, we propose that these economies be realized by adopting the network mode ofgovernance. We examine the network mode at three levels-intrafirm, interfirm, andinstitutional-to illuminate the inherent tension between cooperation and competition at eachlevel, and to explore the implications of this tension for industrial dynamics.

Technological and Organizational Designs for Realizing Economies of Substitution

An integral part of competition is to deny rivals access to proprietary technical knowledge. Yet, Sun Microsystems provides rivals easy access to its technical knowledge and encourages them to enter its workstation market. This paper employs theoretical insights on technological systems and network externalities to understand Sun's open systems strategy. The paper also explores the changing nature of competition in network industries-industries characterized by network externalities and built around technological systems.

https://www.jstor.org/stable/pdfplus/2486822.pdf

Changing competitive dynamics in network industries: An exploration of sun microsystems' open systems strategy

The achievements of the Contel Technology Center's software-metrics project, which brought metrics use from concept to standard operating procedure throughout the corporation, are reviewed. Metrics and process maturity pilot projects, metrics tools, metric databases, and metric data analysis are discussed. The lessons learned from the project, which could help metrics programs in other large, diverse organizations, are also discussed. >

Lessons learned in building a corporate metrics program

Software metrics in the process maturity framework

From the Publisher:
The answers to why, what, where, when, and how to measure is in your hands Applying Software Metrics features a useful collection of important and practical papers on software metrics and measurement. The book explores the importance of planning a successful measurement program and examines who should be involved in the process. Each chapter addresses these significant questions and provides the essential answers in building an effective measurement program. The book differs from others on the market by focusing on the application of the metrics rather than the metrics themselves. The chapters provide information based on actual experience with successful metrics programs. Each chapter includes a case study focusing on technology transfer and a set of recommended references. It is a guide on the use and application of software metrics in industrial environments. The book is specially designed for managers, product supervisors, and quality assurance personnel who want to know how to implement a metrics program.

Applying Software Metrics

A new model of software effort and productivity is described, wherein the estimated productivity of an organization is equal to the average productivity modified by a function of the cost factors. Techniques for generating the cost multiplier associated with each cost factor are shown, and equations are derived for calculating the effect of combinations of cost factors. A key characteristic of the model is its ability to amortize the cost of a factor over the projects that may be affected by the factor; thus the model allows assessment of the cost of reuse. The quality of the model is evaluated by examining its predictive accuracy. It is shown that on a test set of object-oriented projects where size is measured by number of objects and methods, the new model shows greater promise than COCOMO and Ada-COCOMO.

Model of software effort and productivity

The component concepts of the term 'reliability' are examined to clarify why its measurement is difficult. Two approaches to measuring the reliability of finished code are described. The first, a developer-based view, focuses on software faults; if the developer has grounds for believing that the system is relatively fault-free, then the system is assumed to be reliable. The second, a user-based view more in keeping with the standard IEEE/ANSI definition, emphasizes the functions of the system and how often they fail. The advantages of the failure-based approach are discussed, and various techniques are described. The issues that require further exploration and definition before reliability measurement becomes a straightforward for software as for hardware are identified. >

S. L. Pfleeger

Papers

Lessons learned in building a corporate metrics program

Software metrics in the process maturity framework

Applying Software Metrics

Model of software effort and productivity

Measuring software reliability