Evolution of Software Economics
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2.1 Software Economics


Five fundamental parameters that can be abstracted from software costing models:
Size
Process
Personnel
Environment
Required Quality
Overviewed in Chapter 2
Much more detail in Chapter 3.

Software Economics – Parameters

Size: Usually measured in SLOC or number of Function Points required to realize the desired capabilities.
Function Points – a better metric earlier in project
LOC (SLOC, KLOC…) a better metric later in project
These are not new metrics for measuring size, effort, personnel needs,…

Process – used to guide all activities.
Workers (roles), artifacts, activities…
Support heading toward target and eliminate non-essential / less important activities
Process critical in determining software economics
Component-based development; application domain…iterative approach, use-case driven…
Movement toward ‘lean’ … everything!

Software Economics – Parameters

Personnel – capabilities of the personnel in general and in the application domain in particular
Motherhood: get the right people; good people; Can’t always do this.
Much specialization nowadays. Some are terribly expensive.
Emphasize ‘team’ and team responsibilities…Ability to work in a team;
Several newer light-weight methodologies are totally built around a team or very small group of individuals…