The Software Cost Estimation Metrics Manual is now available in an online version. This presentation discusses taking DoD’s Software Resource Data Reports and creating productivity benchmarks and cost / schedule estimating relationships. This latest edition of the manual discusses what data to collect for creating cost and schedule estimating relationships (small models that estimate project cost and schedule). For comparison, the parameters of other commercial cost models are also discussed. Next the manual discusses taking DoD’s Software Resource Data Reports and processing / grouping the data in preparation for analysis. Results of the latest analysis are presented in two forms: productivity benchmarks and cost / schedule estimating relationships. The data collection and analyses are then compared to GAO’s best practices for estimating and managing program costs. The manual concludes with a look at future challenges to software cost estimation.
All of this content is now available online in a searchable format.
This presentation takes a live tour of the online manual available through a web browser. After showing how the online version works, the audience will be able to access and consume the manual at their convenience.