The impact of global software development factors on effort estimation methods

Abstract

Outsourcing software development work activities has brought many benefits to software development projects, such as, reduced development cost and time. Managing the application of this strategy is a key characteristic in its own or in its implications. Accurate effort estimation is crucial to software development projects success, especially in globally distributed projects. Therefore, it is necessary to identify and to investigate the underlying factors which influence the accuracy of effort estimation methods. In this paper, we will investigate the COCOMO II, SLIM and ISBSG effort estimation methods. Furthermore, the ISBSG method supports the experts' judgment estimation for effort as a candidate effort estimation method representing the expert judgment with accuracy in estimating the required amount of effort to accomplish a given project within the context of globally distributed projects. © EuroJournals Publishing, Inc. 2010.