Practical Software Estimation: Function Point Methods for Insourced and Outsourced Projects [Paperback]

M. A. Parthasarathy (Author)

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Product Details

Paperback: 432 pages
Publisher: Addison-Wesley Professional; 1 edition (Mar 8 2007)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0321439104
ISBN-13: 978-0321439109
Product Dimensions: 23.5 x 17.8 x 2.2 cm
Shipping Weight: 621 g
Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #463,174 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #5 in Books > Computers & Internet > Programming > Software Design, Testing & Engineering > Outsourcing
- #79 in Books > Computers & Internet > Computer Science > Software Engineering > Methodology

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Product Description

Book Description

"A clearly written book that is a useful primer for a very complicated set of topics."

--Capers Jones, Chief Scientist Emeritus, Software Productivity Research LLC

Practical Software Estimation brings together today's most valuable tips, techniques, and best practices for accurately estimating software project efforts, costs, and schedules. Written by a leading expert in the field, it addresses the full spectrum of real-world challenges faced by those who must develop reliable estimates.

M. A. Parthasarathy draws on the immense experience of Infosys, one of the world's largest and most respected providers of IT-enabled business solutions, to bring you the only book with detailed guidance on estimating insourced and outsourced software projects, as well as projects that blend both approaches. He demonstrates how to successfully utilize Function Point (FP) methods, the industry's leading estimation model. Then, using real case studies, he systematically identifies pitfalls that can lead to inaccurate estimates--and offers proven solutions.

Coverage includes

How to estimate all types of software projects, including "fresh" development, reengineering, and maintenance
How to incorporate the impact of core project elements on estimates: scope, environment, experience, and tools
FP analysis from start to finish: data and transaction functions, general system characteristics, and more
FP methods for any platform or business function
Innovative re-estimation methods to track progress
How to quote RFPs and prepare contracts: fixed price, time/material, and project execution lifecycle models
Alternatives to FP: Delphi, COCOMO II, and COSMIC-FFP
How to choose the right estimation tools

Practical Software Estimation is the definitive reference for anyone who must estimate software projects accurately: project and IT managers, individual developers, system designers, architects, executives, consultants, and outsourcers alike.

List of Figures
List of Tables
Foreword
Preface
Acknowledgments
Chapter 1: Introduction
Chapter 2: Role of Estimation in Software Projects
Chapter 3: A Study of Function Point Analysis
Chapter 4: Data Functions
Chapter 5: Transactional Functions
Chapter 6: General System Characteristics
Chapter 7: Size, Effort, and Scheduling of Projects
Chapter 8: Estimation Flavors
Chapter 9: A Sense of Where You Are
Chapter 10: Tips, Tricks, and Traps
Chapter 11: Insourcing versus Outsourcing
Chapter 12: Key Factors in Software Contracts
Chapter 13: Project Estimation and Costing
Chapter 14: Other Estimation Methods
Chapter 15: Estimation Tools
Chapter 16: Estimation Case Study
Appendix A: Reference Tables: Transaction Function Counts
Appendix B: Reference Tables: Data Function Points
Bibliography
Index

About the Author

M. A. Parthasarathy, Associate Vice President at Infosys Technologies Ltd., has been actively involved in software development and delivery for more than twenty years. Parthasarathy heads the Outsourcing Academy under the Strategic Global Sourcing unit, and plays an active role in setting Infosys estimation strategies, supporting their deployment, and conducting estimation-related training. A Certified Quality Analyst (QAI), he has twice been honored with the prestigious Infosys Excellence Award.

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Amazon.com: 4.0 out of 5 stars (4 customer reviews)

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars balanced treatment of insourcing and outsourcing, Mar 20 2007

By W Boudville - Published on Amazon.com

This review is from: Practical Software Estimation: Function Point Methods for Insourced and Outsourced Projects (Paperback)

Much of the book is devoted to explaining the Function Point method for estimating the size of a software package that has yet to be written. The basic problem is that software is so intangible compared to designing hardware. Which makes it hard to define objective metrics. But the author suggests that finding the function points of a software package is the best approach. He also points out a key distinction between the size and the effort needed to write the package. The effort is essentially the number of person months. If you can get a reliable estimate of the size, then estimating the effort should be easier.

While the book gives detailed explanations of how to find the function points, there is still an inherent subjectivity. Minimised mainly through experience. You need to work on several projects and apply the method. The strongest point in favour of function points could be that it is independent of how the software is written.

To an American reader, a major interesting aspect of the book is its take on insourcing versus outsourcing. The author is a top executive at Infosys, one of the largest Indian outsourcing firms. You should look at chapter 11, which debates this issue. A commendably balanced treatment, giving tables that clearly lay out the pros and cons of either approach. There is no bias towards going with outsourcing.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars A practical and insightful book on software estimation...., May 13 2007

By Naveen - Published on Amazon.com

This review is from: Practical Software Estimation: Function Point Methods for Insourced and Outsourced Projects (Paperback)

This is one of the highly readable books on the arcane subject of software estimation. This book focus has been on function points methods which can be used for any technology projects. Highlights of the book include

- Coverage of estimation techniques focus on function point method

- Coverage of estimation for various types of projects reengineering, new development, maintenance, offshore projects etc.

- Coverage of tips, traps and tricks to get the right estimates.

- Excellent writing style with good amount of humor sprinkled throught the book makes it more readable.

- Illustration of techniques using examples throught the book.

However the book predominantly has examples from MIS like inventory managment systems etc. Could have illustrated the techniques using some examples from SOA, framework development, pure database development etc.,. Chapters on function methods are bit heavy to read. Most of examples are based on water fall model mdodel, could have covered few more examples on agile methodologies.

Author explains the influence of GSC on the estimation in relation to Quality of Service attributes. Hopefully this will stimulate more research and studies in this area.

This book is a must read for software practitioners and those who are planning to offshore their services.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars An essential business guide, May 16 2007

By Midwest Book Review - Published on Amazon.com

This review is from: Practical Software Estimation: Function Point Methods for Insourced and Outsourced Projects (Paperback)

The author draws on Infosys, a provider of IT-enabled business solutions, to provide this unique book which offers details on how to estimate insourced and outsourced software projects, and how to work with those which blend both approaches. Function Point methods are analyzed using real-world case histories to identify the common pitfalls which can lead to problems, while chapters include details on how to quote and prepare contracts, use project execution lifecycle models, and more. An essential business guide perfect for not just computer libraries at the college level, but for business book collections.

Diane C. Donovan

California Bookwatch

› Go to Amazon.com to see all 4 reviews 4.0 out of 5 stars