CFP last date
20 May 2025
Reseach Article

An Analytical Comparison of Software Project Estimation Techniques

by Malav Mehta, Vedaant Melkari, Avani S. Bhuva, Harsh Motiramani
International Journal of Computer Applications
Foundation of Computer Science (FCS), NY, USA
Volume 187 - Number 1
Year of Publication: 2025
Authors: Malav Mehta, Vedaant Melkari, Avani S. Bhuva, Harsh Motiramani
10.5120/ijca2025924599

Malav Mehta, Vedaant Melkari, Avani S. Bhuva, Harsh Motiramani . An Analytical Comparison of Software Project Estimation Techniques. International Journal of Computer Applications. 187, 1 ( May 2025), 1-7. DOI=10.5120/ijca2025924599

@article{ 10.5120/ijca2025924599,
author = { Malav Mehta, Vedaant Melkari, Avani S. Bhuva, Harsh Motiramani },
title = { An Analytical Comparison of Software Project Estimation Techniques },
journal = { International Journal of Computer Applications },
issue_date = { May 2025 },
volume = { 187 },
number = { 1 },
month = { May },
year = { 2025 },
issn = { 0975-8887 },
pages = { 1-7 },
numpages = {9},
url = { https://ijcaonline.org/archives/volume187/number1/an-analytical-comparison-of-software-project-estimation-techniques/ },
doi = { 10.5120/ijca2025924599 },
publisher = {Foundation of Computer Science (FCS), NY, USA},
address = {New York, USA}
}
%0 Journal Article
%1 2025-05-17T02:45:23.221718+05:30
%A Malav Mehta
%A Vedaant Melkari
%A Avani S. Bhuva
%A Harsh Motiramani
%T An Analytical Comparison of Software Project Estimation Techniques
%J International Journal of Computer Applications
%@ 0975-8887
%V 187
%N 1
%P 1-7
%D 2025
%I Foundation of Computer Science (FCS), NY, USA
Abstract

Accurate project estimation marks the basis of successful software development. It provides a gap for proper resource management, and then it installs correct project scheduling and budgeting methods. This review paper highlights six widely used estimation models for software projects. In detail, three methods of effort estimation catered to various types of teams and types of projects respecting traditional or Agile setup were highlighted. The review mentioned the estimation models; such as COCOMO, Source Lines of Code, Wideband Delphi, Expert-Based Estimation, Planning Poker, and Function Point Analysis. It covers the methods, strengths, and weaknesses of each estimation technique discussed below as compared against four estimation techniques based on selection criteria including accuracy, suitability to the size of a project, adaptability, and adequacy. This review will help managers of projects, developers, and stakeholders in deciding on which most suitable strategy is tailored for their requirements through such evaluation of these four methods. Lastly, this paper contributes to the global understanding of how estimation techniques can be strategically chosen to minimize risks and enhance predictability in software engineering projects.

References
  1. Matsubara, Patrícia GF, et al. "Much more than a prediction: Expert-based software effort estimation as a behavioral act." Empirical Software Engineering 28.4 (2023): 98.Johnson, R., & Lee, M. (2023). Prediction-Based Cost Estimation Technique in Agile Development. International Journal of Agile Systems, 12(2), 85-102. doi:10.1108/IJAS.2023.0123.
  2. Coelho, Evita, and Anirban Basu. "Effort estimation in agile software development using story points." International Journal of Applied Information Systems (IJAIS) 3.7 (2012).Wilson, G., & Patel, S. (2023). Advancing Cost Estimation in IT Software Projects. Journal of IT Project Management, 18(4), 212-229. doi:10.1145/ITPM.2023.9876.
  3. Meli, Roberto, and Luca Santillo. "Function point estimation methods: A comparative overview." FESMA. Vol. 99. Citeseer, 1999.
  4. Boehm, Barry, et al. "COCOMO suite methodology and evolution." CrossTalk 18.4 (2005): 20-25.
  5. Gandomani, Taghi Javdani, Hamidreza Faraji, and Mahsa Radnejad. "Planning Poker in cost estimation in Agile methods: Averaging vs. Consensus." 2019 5th Conference on Knowledge Based Engineering and Innovation (KBEI). IEEE, 2019.
  6. Munialo, Samson Wanjala, and Geoffrey Muchiri Muketha. "A review ofagile software effort estimation methods." (2016).
Index Terms

Computer Science
Information Sciences

Keywords

COCOMO Expert-Based Estimation Function Point Analysis SLOC Wideband Delphi Planning Poker