Software testing effort estimation techniques

This study is primary focused on software project effort estimation, especially for testing phase effort. The main objective is to verify the applicability of the method of function points for testing phase effort estimation. In my work I verify, if number of test cases, derived by experts from project function points score, relates to reality. Specific objectives include the identification of potential weaknesses in function point analysis, verification procedure for converting the number of lines of code to function points and determining the number of remaining defects generated by COQUALMO method. Theoretical part summarizes the generally applicable rules and describes in detail the four effort estimation techniques which can be used to estimate effort for application testing. After that, some of the cognitive biases of human thought processes influencing the estimates results are described. The practical part consists of an analysis of real project, focusing on estimation of amount of the test cases using function points analysis