NAME - VISHAL KUMAR SINGH

SECTION - K21BT
ROLL NO - 03
REG NO - 12104228

TO ENHANCE EFFORT ESTIMATION USE FUNCTION POINT ANALYSIS IN COCOMO MODEL

ABSTRACT

COCOMO stands as a constructive cost model regarded for its precision in effort estimation.
Another approach for gauging efforts is through function points. Effort estimation serves as a
pivotal method to forecast the resources needed before software development commences.
Several models exist to measure efforts effectively. In this study, we propose a hybrid technique
amalgamating previous models to enhance effort estimation accuracy beyond COCOMO. Our
investigation spans effort estimation frameworks, encompassing COCOMO, the Dotty
methodology, the Baily-Baisily approach, the Walston-Felix model, Halstead's method, and our
newly proposed hybrid model. We delve into each method to ascertain their efficacy in
estimating efforts, thus enriching the discourse surrounding this topic. We analyse 20 projects
characterized by defined cost drivers. Results demonstrate that the hybrid formula yields
estimations closer to actual efforts compared to other estimation models. The identical dataset
is utilized with 15 cost drivers, ensuring comprehensive analysis and validation of our findings.

INTRODUCTION

so$ware effort es+ma+on and costs are vital aspects of developing so$ware projects. It
determines the budget +me and resources needed to develop a so$ware project. The
effec+veness of so$ware project development largely relies on the precision of so$ware effort
and cost es+ma+on. An accurate effort es+ma+on leads to the effec+ve and efficient
development of so$ware and decreased risks. Es+ma+ons aim to accurately control the cost
and +me boundaries of the project planning. The fundamental factors of effort es+ma+on
include +me and cost, founded on two principles: delivering so$ware that is adaptable within
a restricted +meframe and bridging the disparity between so$ware and hardware
advancements, and producing so$ware within the allocated budget and +meframe while
responding to dynamic customer requirements. An overflow of +me and cost usually occurs
in so$ware project development ac+vi+es, which o$en cuts the development costs at the cost
of so$ware quality. One such technique that has gained significant trac+on in the so$ware
industry is Func+on Point Analysis (FPA) within the Construc+ve Cost Model (COCOMO).
Func+on Point Analysis provides a structured approach to quan+fying the func+onal size of
so$ware by measuring the func+onality that the so$ware delivers to end-users. COCOMO, on
the other hand, is a widely used parametric model for es+ma+ng so$ware project effort, cost,
and dura+on based on various project characteris+cs and aPributes. The integra+on of
Func+on Point Analysis into the COCOMO model offers several advantages in enhancing effort
es+ma+on accuracy and reliability. By leveraging Func+on point analysis, so$ware project
managers and prac++oners can systema+cally analyze the func+onal requirements of a
so$ware system, abstrac+ng away from implementa+on details and focusing on the inherent
complexity of the system's func+onality. This abstrac+on facilitates a more objec+ve and
standardized approach to es+ma+ng effort, mi+ga+ng the subjec+ve biases that may arise
from relying solely on developer judgment or historical data. Furthermore, the use of Func+on
Point Analysis in the COCOMO model enables a finer-grained es+ma+on process by
considering the func+onal complexity of individual components or modules within a so$ware
system. This granularity allows project managers to tailor their es+ma+on efforts to specific
aspects of the project, iden+fying poten+al boPlenecks or areas of high complexity that may
require addi+onal resources or aPen+on during development. The subsequent sec+ons of this
paper will delve into a comprehensive review of the exis+ng literature related to the COCOMO
model and func+on point analysis. Sec+on 2 will present a thorough literature survey,
highligh+ng key insights and findings from prior research in the field. Following the literature
survey, Sec+on 3 will provide an in-depth explora+on of func+on point analysis, discussing its
principles, methodologies, and applica+ons in so$ware engineering contexts. Subsequently,
the paper will delve into the proposed methodology, outlining how the COCOMO model can
be integrated with func+on point analysis to enhance project es+ma+on accuracy and
reliability. Experimental results derived from real-world scenarios will be presented and
analyzed to illustrate the effec+veness and prac+cal implica+ons of the proposed approach.
In this paper, we explore the integra+on of Func+on Point Analysis within the COCOMO model
and its implica+ons for enhancing effort es+ma+on in so$ware projects. We examine the
principles and techniques underlying Func+on Point Analysis, its applica+on within the
COCOMO framework, and the benefits it offers in improving the accuracy, reliability, and
granularity of effort es+ma+on processes. Through case studies and empirical analysis, we
illustrate the prac+cal u+lity of Func+on Point Analysis in informing decision-making and
op+mizing resource alloca+on in so$ware development projects.