Estimation of software projects 

What is the estimation of a software development project?

Our team will use a reliable, transparent, and unbiased ISO/IEC standard approach tailored to the software product to evaluate the expenses and the effort required for the software project. This estimation of software projects is a valuable tool in scenarios like the ones below: 

• If you need to verify the quote received from a supplier against the current market rate and then negotiate with the supplier based on the result. 
• If you require the cost and/or development effort of an application for reference in a tender and wish to filter out bidders with lower estimates, or simply compare the cost against the market rate. 
• If you require a cost estimate for developing your business idea, application to seek funding or partners, etc. 

The estimating process is straightforward. We require the project specifications – the document that outlines the functional requirements of the project. If this document is not available, a meeting to discuss the requirements and technical data of the project will be enough:  Technology, whether Waterfall or Agile, etc., With this information our team estimates the quantity of software products conforming to the ISO/IEC methodology. Finally, the endeavour’s effort and cost are calculated by implementing the market values to develop the project or application. 

If desired, we can also provide an estimate for the Testware linked to the project. 

Testware Estimate 

Testware refers to all non-development tests, such as the tests executed by a QA team, if any, and the portion of the UAT tests carried out by the Business.  

When we estimate the Testware, we want to know how much work it will require to create test cases, carry out tests, report any problems we find, and check that they have been fixed correctly. 

In a software estimate, we provide this data based on the software amount and various testing parameters, such as: 

• Technical details of the project: Browsers and devices required (tablets, smartphones). 
• Technical details of the testing process, including the level of detail (number of checks). 

We provide the customer with an estimate of the Testware, which includes: 

• Number of test cases expected for testing by the QA team. 
• Number of faults predicted to be identified by the QA team based on market research. 
• Number of planned test cases for User Acceptance Testing (UAT) by the Business team.  
• Effort to carry out QA and UAT testing, covering definitions, execution, reporting, and verification. 

Comparison of estimation of software projects with the market 

If you get a quote from a supplier according to their criteria or expertise with the service, we allow you to compare their quote against the current market rates. You can view the expenses and efforts involved in carrying out your project based on market rates. 

To access market data, we have the world’s largest database of software development project references, which is presented to you here in detail. 

From these references, we will choose suitable options for your project’s requirements so you can quickly compare the estimate you received with the market. 

Are your suppliers considered among the best in the market? Among the worst? Average? Find out if your quote is fair with this comparison. 

Review

If you request an estimate for a software project, we can also assist you in reviewing the estimate with the software development provider. During our assessment, we compare the variances between our projected costs and those provided by the supplier. 

You will be able to check whether the criteria have been correctly and transparently applied by reviewing the process. We will thoroughly inspect for any detectable errors, verifying any non-measurable actions mentioned to determine their relevance. 

Negotiation 

If you review a supplier’s quote and wish for us to negotiate with them, we will happily do that for you. At the end of these negotiations, we agree on a final cost with the supplier by coming to an agreement. 

The agreed cost estimate should show the market’s functional estimation standards set with the provider, and how they have been rightly applied. 

Full negotiation involves checking an estimate to ensure the calculations are accurate and the determined value for effort and/or cost is correct. This includes auditing the estimate and confirming that the criteria used to calculate it are correct.