4.14 SUMMARY

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This chapter has discussed estimation within the software engineering environment. We have looked at the need for effective estimation and the effect that poor estimates can have on a business. For most organizations, effective estimation is a critical factor for success and for customer satisfaction. Remember also that you may appear to be delivering on time but if you are only achieving this through significant reductions in the amount of functionality that is delivered compared to what was agreed for delivery, your customers will not be very happy.

We have considered estimation as a process and we have looked at various techniques that can be used to populate that process. We have also discussed the use of tools within a cost estimation process or strategy. Remember, cost estimation is not simply about tools or fancy techniques — they alone will not solve your problems. You need to have a strategy or process for cost estimation.

If the estimation principles in this chapter strike you as nothing more than common sense and if you are singularly unimpressed with the complexity of the estimation techniques presented here then I make no apologies! Estimation, like most areas of Software Metrics, relies heavily on common sense and simple solutions often work best, especially when the starting point is an ad hoc, undefined process that many view as close to magic, or blind chance. Managers and customers tend to dislike magic.

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