Break previous products into categories by size:

Most methods for estimating the total effort required for a software project (to decide on schedule, staffing, and feasibility) depend on the size of the software project. Unfortunately, it is difficult to measure size meaningfully, it is difficult to estimate size in advance, and it is difficult to extrapolate from size to what we are really interested in. We will first look at methods for estimating size, then at how size can be used to estimate effort (e.g. using COCOMO). SAPM Spring 2006: Estimation 2 Approaches to Estimating Size • Through expert consensus (Wideband-Delphi) • From historical “population ” data (Fuzzy logic) • From standard components (Component estimating) • From a model of function (Function points