E-cost estimation using expert judgment and COCOMO II

The accuracy and efficiency of cost estimation methodology for web-based application is very important for software development as it would be able to assist the management team to estimate the cost. Furthermore, it will ensure that the development of cost is within the planned budget and provides a fundamental motivation towards the development of web-based application project. The literature review reveals that COCOMO II provides accurate result because more variables are considered including reuse parameter. The parameter is one of the essential variables in estimating the cost in web-based application development. This research investigates the feasibility to combine and implement COCOMO II and expert judgment technique in a tool called WebCost. In estimating a cost, the tool considers all variables in COCOMO II and requires expert judgment to key-in the input of the variables such as project size, project type, cost adjustment factor and cost driven factor. Developed in JAVA, WebCost is proven able to estimate cost and generate its estimation result. The usability evaluation conducted had shown that WebCost is usable when compared with other tools, it has its own advantages. WebCost is evidence suitable for everyone especially the project managers, software practitioners or software engineering student in handling the cost estimation tasks.