Elaborate COCOMO model for Cost estimation.

Cocomo (Constructive Cost Model) is a regression model based on LOC, i.e., the number of Lines of Code
What is the Cocomo Model?

The Cocomo Model is a procedural cost estimate model for software projects and is often used as a process of reliably predicting the various parameters associated with making a project such as size, effort, cost, time, and quality. It was proposed by Barry Boehm in 1981 and is based on the study of 63 projects, which makes it one of the best-documented models.

The key parameters that define the quality of any software products, which are also an outcome of the Cocomo are primarily Effort and schedule:

1. Effort: Amount of labor that will be required to complete a task. It is measured in person-months units.
2. Schedule: This simply means the amount of time required for the completion of the job, which is, of course, proportional to the effort put in. It is measured in the units of time such as weeks, and months.

Detailed Structure of COCOMO Model

Detailed COCOMO incorporates all characteristics of the intermediate version with an assessment of the cost driver’s impact on each step of the software engineering process. The detailed model uses different effort multipliers for each cost driver attribute. In detailed Cocomo, the whole software is divided into different modules and then we apply COCOMO in different modules to estimate effort and then sum the effort.

The Six phases of detailed COCOMO are:

1. Planning and requirements
2. System design
3. Detailed design
4. Module code and test
5. Integration and test
6. Cost Constructive model

Different models of Cocomo have been proposed to predict the cost estimation at different levels, based on the amount of accuracy and correctness required. All of these models can be applied to a variety of projects, whose characteristics determine the value of the constant to be used in subsequent calculations. These characteristics of different system types are mentioned below. Boehm’s definition of organic, semidetached, and embedded systems:

Importance of the COCOMO Model

1. Cost Estimation: To help with resource planning and project budgeting, COCOMO offers a methodical approach to software development cost estimation.
2. Resource Management: By taking team experience, project size, and complexity into account, the model helps with efficient resource allocation.
3. Project Planning: COCOMO assists in developing practical project plans that include attainable objectives, due dates, and benchmarks.
4. Risk management: Early in the development process, COCOMO assists in identifying and mitigating potential hazards by including risk elements.
5. Support for Decisions: During project planning, the model provides a quantitative foundation for choices about scope, priorities, and resource allocation.
6. Benchmarking: To compare and assess various software development projects to industry standards, COCOMO offers a benchmark.
7. Resource Optimization: The model helps to maximize the use of resources, which raises productivity and lowers costs.