| Author | Message | ||
     Ashok Kumar |
I am looking for a single estimation tool that provides multiple estimation methods (possibly 10+) to be used simultaneously to estimate very large single programme/project. For example, I can use sizing based methods for software parts, WBS based method for service part and three point estimates for infrastructure part etc. The tool must not have loose ends and must be self sufficient in itself i.e. does not require the use of other tools or MS Excel. It should be able to give combined estimtates of effort,cost and price. The estimation methods covered should include all popular estimation methods currently in use. Estimation methods should cover the whole SDLC and purposes such as for budgeting, proposals and planning. Please avoid giving references to tools that provide one or two methods only. Other features that I am looking for include online multi-user and offline use capabilities. Ashok | ||
| Chief Architect of Function Point Modeler M. Oeztuerk |
Function Point Modeler Advanced Enterprise includes a estimation tool that conforms to COCOMO II, which supports Rational Unified Process and Waterfall Method. All these project COCOMO Cost factor settings are saved in your Software Life Cycle Experience Database (SLED). Function Point Modeler COCOMO II tool calibrates the cost factors and constant from the existing data in SLED in your own company. This is a very important key issue for the precise project estimation. If Function Point Modeler COCOMO does not meet the requirements in your organisation or you have other estimation method in your organisation. NO Problem! Function Point Modeler architecture will make it easy for you to plug in other estimations method to the your FPM. Chief Development Architect Dipl.-Ing. (M.E.) Muhammet Oeztuerk http://www.functionpointmodeler.com | ||
| Murali Chemuturi |
Hi Ashok This is in response to your post about a tool that can help you estimate using various techniques. EstimatorPal suits your purpose I uses, FP, FPA II, Object Points, LOC, SSU, Task Based Estimation, Cost estimation and schedule. fully. Take a look at effortestimator.com - it has a demmo version also. Murali | ||
| Lonnie Franks |
Ashok, I agree that multiple methods of estimating are critically important. In fact, I like to use multiple top down and multiple bottom up estimating tools. For top down estimating I often use Caper Jones (spr.com) basic rules of thumb, e.g., schedule (in calendar months) = #FP raised to the 0.40 power. I also like "Estimate" from Construx.com. For bottom up estmating is do the standard stuff of building a WBS, estimating efforts and duration, then building an activity network diagram and then anding resources. After doing that, I add specific tasks for risk management and for quality management. Finally, I add "buffers" as defined in Critical Path management. Lonnie | ||
| Ashok Kumar |
Thanks Murali and Lonnie for sharing your experience. Serious estimators today are forced to use more than one estimation tool alongwith home grown Excels to get reliable estimates. This involves a lot of pain and time to complete the estimation exercise. I hope an all-in-one estimation tool will be available. From the responses it looks non is available today. | ||
| Patrick Hoornaert |
Dear Ashok, Personally I am a bit sceptic about too much focus on tooling. Probably you end up getting locked in with a small vendor serving this niche, while loosing your flexiblity and common sense necessary when counting. In fact I would like to call out for an Open Source platform to construct some useful tooling (if it doesn't exist already): 1. A core measurement experience base (MySQL or something) 2. A well documented API (like WSDL or REST interface) or plug-ins for various methods/tools 3. Common schema (like XSD) for capturing sizing data For (3) and organisation such as IFPUG or ISBSG could contribute greatly, as they gathered a lot of experience already. Working together I am sure each measurement consultant will win in his or her own field, by keeping the tools down to the bare essentials, and create room to use our brains instead. On the other hand managing metrics became unimaginable without technology. PatHo |
