The TASC software cost and requirements estimator (TASCORE): a top-down, structured approach to the software cost estimation process

A systematic, disciplined software cost estimating process is described. By the formation of estimating teams which integrates software engineering experts with cost-analysis personnel, the process has been expanded beyond the simple exercising of off-the-shelf cost models to address software sizing and characterization problems, areas not well handled by existing techniques. Each step of the process is supported by rigorous documentation to permit detailed review of the basis of the estimate and to facilitate sensitivity analysis. The process is applicable both to embedded avionics software and to large-scale, distributed software systems