COCOMO

Constructive Cost Model
COCOMO

   <programming> (COCOMO) A method for evaluating the cost of a
   {software} package proposed by Dr Barry Boehm.  There are a
   number of different types:

   The Basic COCOMO Model estimates the effort required to
   develop software in three modes of development ({Organic
   Mode}, {Semidetached Mode}, or {Embedded Mode}) using only
   {DSIs} as an input.  The Basic model is good for quick, early,
   and rough order of magnitude estimates.

   The Intermediate COCOMO Model an extension of the Basic COCOMO
   model.  The Intermediate model uses an {Effort Adjustment
   Factor} (EAF) and slightly different coefficients for the
   effort equation than the Basic model.  It produces better
   results than the Basic model because the user supplies
   settings for cost drivers that determine the effort and
   duration of the software projects.  The Intermediate model
   also allows the system to be divided and estimated in
   components.  DSI values and cost drivers can be chosen for
   individual components instead of for the system as a whole.

   The Detailed COCOMO Model differs from the Intermediate COCOMO
   model in that it uses effort multipliers for each phase of the
   project.  These phase dependent effort multipliers yield
   better estimates because the {cost driver} ratings may be
   different during each phase.  The detailed model also provides
   a three-level product hierarchy and has some other
   capabilities such as a procedure for adjusting the phase
   distribution of the development schedule.

   ["Software Engineering Economics", B. Boehm, Prentice-Hall,
   1981].

   (1996-05-29)