MKII Points based Estimation model
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.