One of the most difficult aspects of planning any software development project is the estimation of the time it will take to conduct the project and the effort (staff-hours/dollars) it will consume. Studies continue to show that most software estimates are highly over optimistic. Since estimates at the beginning of the project drive schedules, resources and other critical project-planning components, an incorrect estimate can have severe negative consequences on the outcome of even the most well-managed projects.

By combining an empirically driven approach to software estimation based on industry data, with a time-honored approach to forecasting, this paper describes a battle-tested methodology for generating estimates, which with experience typically yield results that are accurate to a level of 85% or more.

STE_Delphi_White_Paper.pdf (436 KB)