The Importance Of Software Time Estimation

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Software time estimation is the process of estimating the amount of time and effort to complete the software development life cycle. Software time estimation aims to limit the deadline slippage in a project. It creates a platform to handle critical situations, risks, delays, unexpected events, lack of resources, and uncertainties in the project. Need for Software Time Estimation Time Estimation refers to the practice and process that determines the time required by a software engineer to complete a given task. The estimation is done before the development process starts. Software releases, customer deliverable deadlines, market opportunities are “time sensitive” and they are driven by a fixed time. So, the time estimation provides opportunity…show more content…
The estimation and allocation of man hours or man days for a project is the major requisite to complete the task without deadline slippage. In our study, we discuss the new techniques that estimates the time for a project. To attain this, we studied two papers from recognized publications. Trietsch.D, Baker.R (Trietsch.D, Baker.R, 2011), describes the different stochastic projects that are analysed using PERT 21. PERT 21 enhances the existing decision support system by using sequencing and crashing model, that are capable of adapting to the stochastic reality. It focuses on controlling project schedules, stochastic project processing time and budget consumption. Gong.D, Hugsted.R (Gong.D, Hugsted.R ,2004), explains about how Back-Forward Uncertainty Estimation procedure can be applied to basic merge-event time estimation model to overcome the merge-event bias estimation in the PERT technique. Our study focuses on the PERT 21 and BFUE techniques in software project time estimation. We also highlight the inference for Project Managers in the process of time estimation and the relevance of PERT 21 and BFUE…show more content…
Each activity under PERT 21 has a start date that ensures that the activity starts depending on the predecessor activity. The release dates are set which ensures scheduling of stochastic processing times in each sequence. RCPSP (Resource constrained project scheduling process) focuses on project duration of the given project. The RCPSP focusses on standalone project in which each activity is individually managed and renewable resources are replicated. This helps in resource decision making and sequencing the decision depending on each activity. Every project in a pure project organization has a release date and due date. “Stochastic Balance” is the guiding principle of optimality. It helps in achieving optimized release dates. The correct release date can be found by employing simulation-based optimization(SBO) where numerical search can achieve for large simulated sample. Visualization of a stochastic project for a given release date is provided using a Predictive Gantt chart. Inferring the predictive Gantt chart is the major skill set requisite for the PERT 21 user. A predictive Gantt chart has all the activity start time and finish times. But, it is difficult to reduce the variance in the activity time. In addition, the reduction in variance shouldn’t affect the safety time in a stochastic project. Dense scheduling has low variance and mean compared to loose scheduling.

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