QWE2002 Paper 2M Mr. Geir Kjetil Hanssen, Mr. Hans Westerheim (SINTEF, Norway) & Mr. Tor Stalhane (NTNU, Norway) Improving the Software Estimation Process

Key Points

• Estimation should be done from a Work Breakdown Structure (WBS).
• The changing environment should be handeled by risk assessment and control.
• Investment analysis is needed in order to handel uncertainties.

Presentation Abstract

Most of what has been published on software cost estimation has focused on finding the right formula for combing some size measure and some project factors and derive a cost figure. We have analysed in detail the estimation process of four projects in two Norwegian companies and were inspired to think anew on this question. In our opinin, the main reasons why cost estimation fails has two sources: Missing or changing information and lack of understading impotant relationships which makes it difficult to make sensible trade-offs.

About the Author

Mr. Geir Kjetil Hanssen is a Research Scientist in SINTEF Telecom and Informatics. He is a M.Sc. (Cand.Scient) from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (1996). He works within the computer science area covering various aspects of information technology. System architecture is one of his focus areas, and he has experience in systems design and systems engineering methodology and processes. Other focus areas are transport telematics and process improvement where he assists several Norwegian software companies in improving their internal software development processes. . He has experience from the IT industry, both as a systems engineer and developer and as a project leader.

Mr. Hans Westerheim works as a scientific researcher in SINTEF Telecom and Informatics. He is educated in informatics from the Reginal College in Nord-Trondelag (www.hint.no ) and the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (www.idi.ntnu.no ). He is also educated as a economist in transportation from the Regional College in Molde (www.himolde.no ). His focus area is process improvement, software quality and information architecture within the area of transportation. A special field of interest is the organisational and human issues when developing and implementing information systems. He has worked as a project manager in The Norwegian State Railways' computer departement, now known as Arrive (www.arrive.no ). He has also worked as a project manager in a consultant company implementing CRM-systems.

Mr. Tor Stålhane: Born 1944 in Skien Norway. MSc from the the Technical University of Norway in 1969. Worked for SINTEF from 1969 to 1984 with compiler development. PhD in statistics 1988. Worked for SINTEF 1988 to 2000 on process imperovent and software safety and reliability. Professor of Computer Science at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology from 2000.