accuracy of estimates. See also accuracy of estimation method; sources of estimation error
benefits of, 27–29
counting error. See counting
expressing uncertainty, 251–255
flow of estimates (reestimating), 171–180
chronological, 173–175
poorly estimated projects, 171
recalibrating after missed milestones, 175–179
scheduling reestimation, 177–178
well-estimated projects, 172–173
historical data and, 91–95
need for, 13
overestimation vs. underestimation, 21–24
precision vs., 51–52
reviewing. See reviews of estimates
software industry track record, 24–27
accuracy of estimation method. See also specific estimation technique by name
choice of technique and, 80
counting error, 85, 88. See also counting
effort estimates, 218
expert judgment, 88, 152
expressing uncertainty, 251–255
problems with common techniques, 30
project size estimates, 206
schedule estimates, 231
activities. See tasks and responsibilities
activity-based work breakdown structure. See WBS
adjusted function-point totals, 201–202
adjustment factors, Cocomo II, 67–70
administrative support, effort of, 247
aggregate best and worst cases, 120–126
allocating effort to various tasks, 233, 237
analogy, estimation by, 127–133
basic approach, 127–132
effort estimates, 209–210
obtaining detailed information, 128
project size, estimating, 205
schedule, estimated, 223–224
size comparisons, 129
uncertainty with, 128
Angel (Analogy Software Tool), 163
applicability tables, explained, 81
Approved Product Definition phase, 35, 39. See also Cone of Uncertainty
iterative development, 40–41
unstable project requirements, 42, 247
requirements omitted from estimates, 44–46, 110
software to account for, 160
assessing estimates. See reviews of estimates
assumptions in estimation, communicating, 249–251
authority, estimation software as, 160–162
average data for industry, 91, 100–102
defect production, 242
effort graphs, 210–216
ISBSG method, 216–218
average outcome, 8, 59. See also diseconomies of scale
averages, meaningful, 86
avoiding bias. See bias and subjectivity