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Miscellaneous |
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COCOMO 81
COCOMO 81 is a model that allows one to estimate the cost, effort,
and schedule when planning a new software development activity,
according to software development practices that were commonly used
in the 1970s through the 1980s. It exists in three forms, each one
offering greater detail and accuracy the further along one is in
the project planning and design process. Listed by increasing fidelity,
these forms are called Basic, Intermediate, and Detailed COCOMO.
However, only the Intermediate form has been implemented by USC
in a calibrated software tool.
The implemented tool provides cost, effort, and schedule point estimates.
It also allows a planner to easily perform "what if" scenario exploration,
by quickly demonstrating the effect adjusting requirements, resources,
and staffing might have on predicted costs and schedules (e.g.,
for risk management or job bidding purposes). Over 63 data points
in the COCOMO 81 calibration database, the Intermediate form demonstrates
an accuracy of within 20% of actuals 68% of the time for effort,
and within 20% of actuals 58% of the time for a nonincremental development
schedule.
COCOMO 81 has a rich legacy. Originally published by Dr.
Barry Boehm in 1981 under the simple name COCOMO, it went on
to become (and arguably remains) the most widely used software project
cost estimation model throughout the world. It has also existed
in other incarnations, the most prominent being Ada COCOMO. After
nearly twenty years of solid service, however, it is finally being
retired in favor of COCOMO II, which models the way software is
built today in the 1990s, and will continue to be built well into
the new century.
Reference
Boehm, Barry W., Software Engineering Economics, Prentice
Hall, 1981.
This book is still the most complete resource for information regarding
original COCOMO, as well as providing a wealth of material that
will improve one's understanding and application of COCOMO II.
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COCOMO
II