Precise planning and estimation of software projects is difficult. Companies without formal and rigorous estimation processes have five times more probability of experiencing cancelled and delayed projects. Estimation plays a key role in software out-sourced projects, where dispute resolution and avoidance are crucial.

The key to successful project completion is a rational cost and schedule estimate. These estimates are the foundation for trade-off studies and management decisions regarding project lifecycle planning.

Cost and schedule estimates are appropriate at all lifecycle levels (in-house or out-source decision level, RFP and contract preparation, pre-proposal, proposal evaluation, start of development, in-process or post-mortem).

An estimate is useful at any point during a project or program for the purpose of verification of scope, quality, cost and schedule performance. Learnings from other industries provide us an insight that maturing towards cost per unit fee schedule will best suit deliveries.

As a part of the session, we will discuss:

1. Background to Software Estimation
2. Defining Cost per unit structure
3. How to move towards the same in a structured fashion
4. Risks involved to the customer and the service provider

Bharathi Vasanthakrishna has over 18 years of experience in Software Development, Quality Assurance and Process Improvement. Bharathi heads Kornerstone Consultants, a process consulting group based out of Hyderabad, and has worked with large business houses in the area of product & application development, offshore outsourcing, and performance solutions. Bharathi has special skills in Quality implementation aided with metrics to suit the business needs of the organization and has led medium to large sized organizations through the path of process certifications.
Bharathi has strong counting skills acquired through conducting a number of estimations using Function Point Analysis, Component Based Estimation and also experience-based estimations.