SDLC Effort Estimation Using Configuration and Customization Parameters
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for estimating package implementation effort in software development lifecycle (SDLC) activities are experience-driven and lack a uniform industry framework, making them complex and prone to under or over estimation, which can affect profitability and customer perceptions.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that estimates package implementation effort by obtaining configuration and customization parameters, determining configuration factors such as functionality, volume, and productivity adjustment factors, and calculating functional and customization efforts using empirical formulas, to provide a standardized estimation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If experience-driven heuristic methods are used for effort estimation, then the estimation process is simple to perform, but the estimation accuracy deteriorates and becomes prone to under or over estimation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the estimation approach by changing from subjective experience-based parameters to objective measurable parameters including functionality factor, volume factor, base effort factor, and productivity adjustment factor. These parameters are derived from empirical data and industry benchmarks, enabling accurate yet standardized estimation without requiring deep estimator expertise.
Solution Approach 2:
The estimation process is segmented into distinct components: functionality assessment, volume calculation, base effort determination, and productivity adjustment. Each segment handles a specific aspect of the estimation, making the overall process systematic and repeatable while maintaining accuracy across different project types.
2Reliability
If multiple variable inputs and influencing factors are considered in estimation, then the estimation becomes more comprehensive, but the complexity and difficulty to standardize increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal estimation framework that can be applied across multiple industries and organizations. The same core parameters (functionality, volume, base effort, productivity) serve multiple purposes and can be adapted to different contexts through standardized adjustment factors, achieving comprehensiveness without proportional increases in complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Variable inputs are transformed into standardized parameters with defined calculation methods. Influencing factors are converted into adjustment factors that modify base calculations in a consistent manner, allowing comprehensive consideration of multiple variables while maintaining a standardized process that can be replicated across different projects and organizations.
3Productivity
If estimator's exposure to business or SDLC activity is relied upon for estimation, then the estimation can be performed quickly, but the consistency and uniformity of estimation outcomes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The estimation system performs self-service by automatically calculating effort based on input parameters rather than relying on estimator judgment. The framework itself contains the knowledge and calculation logic, eliminating variability introduced by different estimators' experiences while maintaining quick estimation through automated computation.
Solution Approach 2:
Subjective estimator exposure is replaced with objective parameter-based calculations. The system uses measurable parameters (functionality, volume, base effort) that can be quickly assessed and converted into effort estimates through standardized formulas, achieving both speed and consistency without requiring estimator expertise.
Data Source
AI summary
System and method for estimating package implementation effort of software development life cycle (SDLC) activities are disclosed. In an embodiment, information associated with a plurality of configuration parameters of a SDLC activity is obtained. The configuration parameters include an organization, an industry vertical, business criticality of functionalities within the industry vertical, influencing factors and a utilization factor. Further, one or more of configuration factors associated with the SDLC activity are determined based on the information associated with the configuration parameters. Furthermore, functional effort for configuration of the SDLC activity is estimated based on the configuration factors. In addition, information associated with a plurality of customization parameters of the SDLC activity is obtained. Moreover, customization effort for customization of the SDLC activity is estimated based on the information associated with the customization parameters. Also, package implementation effort of the SDLC activity is estimated using the functional effort and customization effort.