PROJECT PLAN
Estimation is the process of assigning projected values for time and effort. A more precise
approach to estimation is called the Function Point Approach which is an estimation technique
that allows estimating the size, the effort and the time required to complete the system. This
approach is a more complex and reliable approach in a way of estimating time and effort for a
project.
The Function Point Approach consists of three steps:



Estimate the size of the project in terms of complexity of the project and the type
of programming language used.
Estimate effort required in person-month.
Estimate the schedule time in months.
ESTIMATE THE PROJECT SIZE
Below table is the Calculation of total unadjusted function points
System Components:
Description
Complexity
Total
Number
Low
Medium
High
Total
Input
8
3x3
4x4
1x6
31
Output
12
3x4
4x5
5x7
67
Queries
16
2x3
10 x 4
4x6
70
Files
15
4x7
7 x 10
4 x 15
158
Program
3
0x5
0x7
3 x 10
30
Total Unadjusted Function Points (TUFP):
356
Overall System:
Data Communications
3
Heavy use Configurations
1
Transaction Rate
2
End-user Efficiency
0
Complex Processing
1
Installation Ease
0
Multiple sites
0
Performance
0
Distributed Functions
2
Online Data Entry
1
Online Update
0
Reusability
0
Operational Ease
1
Extensibility
0
Total Processing Complexity
(PC):
11
(0 - no effect on processing complexity; 3 - great effect on processing complexity)
Adjusted Project Complexity (APC):
.65 + (.01 x PC) = APC
.65 + (.01 x 11) = 0.76
Total Adjusted Function Points (TAFP):
APC x TUFP = TAFP
.76
x 356
= 270.56 (approx.271)
LINES OF CODE
Lines of code are determined based on the programming language chosen. All Programming will
be done in Visual Basic. Multiply the total functional points (TAFP) with the code factor to
obtain an estimation of the total number of codes for the project.
Total number of lines of code = 271 x 30 = 8130.
ESTIMATE EFFORT
COCOMO Model can be used to determine Effort depends on the size of the project, and
the production rates of the project personnel. As per the COCOMO model, the lines of code
estimate can be converted into person-months by using the below formula:
Effort (in person-month) = 1.4 x thousands of lines of code
effort (in person-months) = 1.4 x (8130/1000)
effort (in person-months) = 11.382 person-months (approx. 12 person-months).
It will take approximately 12 person-months to complete the project.
ESTIMATE TIME REQIURED
The total time needed to complete the project is estimated using the below formula:
Schedule time (months) = 3.0 x person-months.
Schedule time (months) = 3.0 x (11.382)1/3.
Schedule time (months) = 6.75.
It will take over 7 months to finish the project.
ESTIMATE THE NUMBER OF STAFF
No. of staff = effort (person-months) / schedule time (months)
= 11.382 / 6.7
= 1.698
To finish approx. 12 person-months project in approx.7 months, we need to 2 full time staff
members.