Software parametric models
Encyclopedia
A parametric model
is a set of related mathematical equations which incorporates variable parameters. A scenario
is defined by selecting a value for each parameter. Software project managers use software parametric models and parametric estimation tools to estimate their projects' duration, staffing and cost.
In the early 1980s refinements to earlier models, such as PRICE S and SLIM, and new models, such as SPQR, Checkpoint, ESTIMACS, SEER-SEM
or COCOMO
and its commercial implementations PCOC, GECOMO, COSTAR and Before You Leap emerged.
One of the earliest was Software LIfecycle Management (SLIM) SLIM is based on the Putnam model
and backed by a database of over 8,000 completed projects from all types of industries all over the world. The database grows by 200–400 validated projects a year.
TruePlanning by PRICE Systems
introduces a unifying framework to enable the integration of multiple cost models. These cost estimation models support projects involved with application (software) development, Information Technology
(IT) asset management, and hardware development. TruePlanning supports third–party cost models such as COCOMO II.
SEER was architected by Dan Galorath
and features a sophisticated user interface to track/reduce risk by making timely, accurate and insightful decisions about the interdependent and often immeasurable costs, schedules and staffing variables.
COSTAR is a commercial implementation by SOFTSTAR systems of COCOMO
, encapsulating trade–offs and what-if analysis, plus user–definable cost drivers.
ProjectCodeMeter (commercial) cost estimation software implements the newer (2009) model Weighted Micro Function Points
and the APPW statistical model, as well as the traditional COCOMO
81, COCOMO
II 2000, and REVIC models. It offers a semi-automated estimation process.
The prime advantage of these models is that they are objective, repeatable, calibrated and easy to use, although calibration to previous experience may be a disadvantage when applied to a significantly different project.
These models were highly effective for waterfall model
, version 1 software projects of the 1980s and highlighted the early achievements of parametrics. As systems became more complex and new languages emerged, different software parametric models emerged which employed new cost estimating relationships, risk analyzers, software sizing, nonlinear software reuse and personnel continuity.
Parametric model
In statistics, a parametric model or parametric family or finite-dimensional model is a family of distributions that can be described using a finite number of parameters...
is a set of related mathematical equations which incorporates variable parameters. A scenario
Scenario
A scenario is a synoptical collage of an event or series of actions and events. In the Commedia dell'arte it was an outline of entrances, exits, and action describing the plot of a play that was literally pinned to the back of the scenery...
is defined by selecting a value for each parameter. Software project managers use software parametric models and parametric estimation tools to estimate their projects' duration, staffing and cost.
In the early 1980s refinements to earlier models, such as PRICE S and SLIM, and new models, such as SPQR, Checkpoint, ESTIMACS, SEER-SEM
SEER-SEM
SEER for Software is an algorithmic project management software application designed specifically to estimate, plan and monitor the effort and resources required for any type of software development and/or maintenance project...
or COCOMO
COCOMO
**********************************************************************************************The Constructive Cost Model is an algorithmic software cost estimation model developed by Barry W. Boehm...
and its commercial implementations PCOC, GECOMO, COSTAR and Before You Leap emerged.
One of the earliest was Software LIfecycle Management (SLIM) SLIM is based on the Putnam model
Putnam model
The Putnam model is an empirical software effort estimation model.The original paper by Lawrence H. Putnam published in 1978 is seen as pioneering work in the field software process modelling....
and backed by a database of over 8,000 completed projects from all types of industries all over the world. The database grows by 200–400 validated projects a year.
TruePlanning by PRICE Systems
PRICE Systems
PRICE Systems was founded in 1975 as a business within the RCA Corporation. It is generally acknowledged as the earliest developer of parametric cost estimation software....
introduces a unifying framework to enable the integration of multiple cost models. These cost estimation models support projects involved with application (software) development, Information Technology
Information technology
Information technology is the acquisition, processing, storage and dissemination of vocal, pictorial, textual and numerical information by a microelectronics-based combination of computing and telecommunications...
(IT) asset management, and hardware development. TruePlanning supports third–party cost models such as COCOMO II.
SEER was architected by Dan Galorath
Dan Galorath
Daniel D. Galorath is the President and CEO of Galorath Incorporated and the chief architect of SEER-SEM, an algorithmic project management software application...
and features a sophisticated user interface to track/reduce risk by making timely, accurate and insightful decisions about the interdependent and often immeasurable costs, schedules and staffing variables.
COSTAR is a commercial implementation by SOFTSTAR systems of COCOMO
COCOMO
**********************************************************************************************The Constructive Cost Model is an algorithmic software cost estimation model developed by Barry W. Boehm...
, encapsulating trade–offs and what-if analysis, plus user–definable cost drivers.
ProjectCodeMeter (commercial) cost estimation software implements the newer (2009) model Weighted Micro Function Points
Weighted Micro Function Points
Weighted Micro Function Points is a modern software sizing algorithm invented by Logical Solutions in 2009 which is a successor to solid ancestor scientific methods as COCOMO, COSYSMO, maintainability index, cyclomatic complexity, function points, and Halstead complexity...
and the APPW statistical model, as well as the traditional COCOMO
COCOMO
**********************************************************************************************The Constructive Cost Model is an algorithmic software cost estimation model developed by Barry W. Boehm...
81, COCOMO
COCOMO
**********************************************************************************************The Constructive Cost Model is an algorithmic software cost estimation model developed by Barry W. Boehm...
II 2000, and REVIC models. It offers a semi-automated estimation process.
The prime advantage of these models is that they are objective, repeatable, calibrated and easy to use, although calibration to previous experience may be a disadvantage when applied to a significantly different project.
These models were highly effective for waterfall model
Waterfall model
The waterfall model is a sequential design process, often used in software development processes, in which progress is seen as flowing steadily downwards through the phases of Conception, Initiation, Analysis, Design, Construction, Testing, Production/Implementation and Maintenance.The waterfall...
, version 1 software projects of the 1980s and highlighted the early achievements of parametrics. As systems became more complex and new languages emerged, different software parametric models emerged which employed new cost estimating relationships, risk analyzers, software sizing, nonlinear software reuse and personnel continuity.