RASS Estimate - Custom Sizing model

Custom Sizing based Estimation models

For further details you can download these references: MS Word document. MS Powerpoint Presentation.

Formal methods such as Use Case Points and Function Points sizing methods are popular means of estimating functional requirements. However, there are situations when these methods can not be applied and you have to have your own sizing method. RASS Estimate has included a Custom Point sizing based estimation model which is simple to use. You can easily adopt it for estimating Test Cases, Reports etc. The following are the main features of this model.

Manual counting of the size by assigning a requirement to the five points weight scale

Five Point weight scale represented by a combined index of requirements size and complexity
User definable weight factors for the five points scale
Estimating the size based on domain profiles as an alternative way to size
Domain Profiles based on historical data
Productivity Rates in terms on domains or product groups
Outsource Supplier Estimates based on Outsource Profiles
Outsource Profiles are defined and maintained centrally
Calculation of Schedule Estimates based the combined effort estimates from all estimation models used by the project.
Reports based on integrated estimates
Creating the Breakdown Structures of requirements or work or artifacts

The graphics on the left side shows the user's view of Custom Sizing based Estimation model.

This method uses a five points weighted scale to rate requirements. The weighted scale represents the combined index of Relative Size and Complexity of the item being estimated. You can change the weights assigned the five point scale. The rating of requirements can be done manually or automatically through an algorithm that distributes the requirements on the five points scale based on the historical distribution patterns. The size is calculated in Custom Points. Effort Estimates are arrived at by multiplying the size in Custom Points with Productivity Rates. Productivity Rates are defined in terms of domains profiles. Domain Profiles are created based on the historical distribution patterns of Size and Complexity Index among requirements. Domain Profiles are used to estimate size rather than count the size manually. In some situations estimating size may be more appropriate than counting of the size. Outsource Profiles are used to calculate effort estimates for the part of the work that is to be outsourced. Outsource Profiles are defined centrally and are applicable to all estimation models. Outsource Profiles can be defined per supplier basis or per supplier and domain basis. Outsource Profiles convert the outsource effort estimates into outsource cost and likely supplier price.

The following graphics is a screen shot of the implementation of Custom Points and Productivity Rate based Estimation model. This typical view includes sections on structuring of the requirements, rating of the requirements on a five points scale, assigning of Domain Profiles and Outsource Profiles, Domain Profile table and Outsource Profile table. Estimates calculations are shown in columns with light yellow backgound colour. Outsourcing Costs are shown as part of Outsource Profiles table. User Interface is quite simple. Action buttons are used to perform various tasks. You can change the information as easily as you do in MS Excel. On screen help is available to understand main operations.

A screen shot of Custom Points and Productivity Rate based Estimation model

For further details you can download these references: MS Word document. MS Powerpoint Presentation.

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