Software size - KLOC (Kilo Line of Code) or number of function points - Planning and Managing the Project

Discussion

• Nirja Shah   -Posted on 14 Oct 15
  Project Estimation
  
  - For an effective management accurate estimation of various measures is a must. With correct estimation managers can manage and control the project more efficiently and effectively.
  
  - Project estimation may involve the following:
  
  Software size estimation
  - Software size may be estimated either in terms of KLOC (Kilo Line of Code) or by calculating number of function points in the software.
  - Lines of code depend upon coding practices and Function points vary according to the user or software requirement.
  
  Effort estimation
  - The managers estimate efforts in terms of personnel requirement and man-hour required to produce the software.
  - For effort estimation software size should be known.
  - This can either be derived by managers’ experience, organization’s historical data or software size can be converted into efforts by using some standard formulae.
  
  Time estimation
  - Once size and efforts are estimated, the time required to produce the software can be estimated.
  - Efforts required is segregated into sub categories as per the requirement specifications and interdependency of various components of software.
  - Software tasks are divided into smaller tasks, activities or events by Work Breakthrough Structure (WBS).
  - The tasks are scheduled on day-to-day basis or in calendar months.
  - The sum of time required to complete all tasks in hours or days is the total time invested to complete the project.
  
  Cost estimation
  - This might be considered as the most difficult of all because it depends on more elements than any of the previous ones.
  - For estimating project cost, it is required to consider -
  1. Size of software
  2. Software quality
  3. Hardware
  4. Additional software or tools, licenses etc.
  5. Skilled personnel with task-specific skills
  6. Travel involved
  7. Communication
  8. Training and support
  

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