Thesis Proposal M.Sc.

Software Engineering & Management Submitted By

1. Muhammad Tariq 2. Shoba BC ______________________________________________________________________

Title
Case Study-Software Cost Estimation based on Use Case Model (Use Case Points)

Introduction
In recent years, software has become the most expensive component of computer system projects. The bulk of the cost of software development is due to the human effort, and most cost estimation methods focus on this aspect and give estimates in terms of person-months [1]. Accurate software cost estimates are critical to both developers and customers. They can be used for generating request for proposals, contract negotiations, scheduling, monitoring and control. Underestimating the costs may result in management approving proposed systems that then exceed their budgets, with underdeveloped functions and poor quality, and failure to complete on time. Overestimating may result in too many resources committed to the project, or, during contract bidding, result in not winning the contract, which can lead to loss of jobs [1] In a software development project, use cases define system software requirements. According to the RUP, a use case "fully describes a sequence of actions performed by a system to provide an observable result of value to a person or another system using the product under development." Use cases [2] tell the customer: what to expect? The developer: what to code? The technical writer: what to document? And the tester: what to test? Use case diagram describes the high-level user view on a system and its externally visible overall functionality. [3] Capturing functional requirements in use cases has helped considerably in communicating requirements in a form that is understandable for users and other domain experts. The use case points method is a well-documented approach for estimating software development activities [4]

Research questions
The current thesis work will address the following research question: 1- How can we employ use-case model (Use Case points) for estimation of persons hours at an early stage of a project for effective project management? 2- In what scenarios use case points estimation may be used effectively than other software cost estimation techniques? 3- What are the merits/demerits of software cost estimation based on use case points?

Expected outcomes
In order to address the above questions we will research literature for proper usages of use-case model in software cost estimation. On the basis of previous scientific work, knowledge and materials on the subject, we will take a real world problem as an example of IT system and apply the researched knowledge of use-case model for software cost estimation. To measure/verify the results with the actual system, a prototype will be designed and developed.

Method
In this thesis we will use two research methods: 1. Literature review (structured review) for finding the relevant software cost estimation models 2. Empirical study for developing and evaluating the use case model for software cost estimation. The prototype will be designed and developed within the scope of established software engineering processes/methods.

References
[1] Leung, H., Fan, Z.: Software Cost Estimation (2002) [2] http://www.therationaledge.com/content/jun_01/m_cases_jh.html [3]Gross .H. Component-Based Software Testing with UML 3:86-130, Springer 2005. [4]http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/rational/library/edge/09/mar09/collaris_dekker/#5.Refer ences|outline