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MKII Points based Estimation model
 
For further details you can download these references:  MS Word document.          MS Powerpoint Presentation.
 
MKII measurement method for sizing software has been originally developed by Charles Symons and now being promoted by United Kingdom Software Metrics Association (UKSMA). The sizing unit for this method is called MKII Points. It is used to size the software’s functional  requirements. Though software size has been used for many purposes, estimating software projects is a popular use of software size. RASS Estimate provides five software sizing methods and MKII Points is one of these methods.
 
RASS Estimate has included two estimation models that take the MKII Points as the size input and calculate estimates of effort, cost, price, schedule and resources. 

1)  Productivity based Bottom-up Estimation Model: This model calculates the effort estimates by using MKII Points and productivity rate as hours per MKII Point.

 

2)  COCOMO-II based Top-down Estimation Model: In this model MKII Points are converted to COCOMO's Size parameter by multiplying unadjusted MKII Points with a gearing factor.
 
The estimates from both of these models are available in the same estimation sheet but only one is linked to Cost and Price sheet at a time. There is a provision for viewing estimates from both of these models side by side.

The following are other main features of MKII Points based Estimation models.
  • Model has implemented the counting of MKII Points through a custom template with focus on speed of counting MKII Points.
  • Creating the Transactions Breakdown Structures (TBS)
  • Manual rapid counting of MKII Points and the provision to automate the estimation of MKII Points
  • Programming Languages have been associated with domain profiles.
    You can use multiple programming languages with ease for estimating
  • Data related to Programming Languages is maintained centrally in Programming Language Master table
  • Productivity Rates are associated with Domain Profiles which are based on historical data
  • Use of outsource profiles to estimate the outsource cost.  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 from all configured models as well as individual model

  • The model is easy to use. Action buttons are used to perform various tasks. 

  • Preconfigured generic project profiles to tailor new estimation projects to reducing the model configuration tasks to minimum.

 

The graphics on the left side shows high level users' view of this estimation model.

 

The selection of the choice of estimation method whether Productivity based or COCOMO based is done while configuration the estimation project. However, you can change it any time. The selected estimation method is tied up with estimation reports. Estimates from other methods are available for viewing only.

 

User Functional Requirements are used to create a Transactions Breakdown Structure and then MKI Points are counted rapidly. Then Domain Profiles and Outsource Profiles are assigned to Functional Processes to produce the estimates.

 

The most critical part of this model is the creation of Domain Profiles, Outsource Profiles and the Programming Language table. The programming language table is used only if COCOMO method is selected. Productivity Rates are maintained in Domain Profiles.

 
 The following graphics shows a sample of the Estimation sheet implemented in MKII Points based Estimation moodel.

 

 

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