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Software Cost and Effort Estimation Techniques

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Software Cost and Effort Estimation Techniques

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Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
2 weeks to complete
at 10 hours a week
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
2 weeks to complete
at 10 hours a week
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace

What you'll learn

  • Analyze software estimation concepts and evaluate project cost and effort models.

  • Apply WBS, PERT, COCOMO, UCP, and FPA estimation techniques effectively.

  • Optimize software project planning, scheduling, and resource allocation decisions.

Details to know

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Recently updated!

May 2026

Assessments

27 assignments

Taught in English

Build your subject-matter expertise

This course is part of the Software Project Planning & Estimation Specialization
When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Specialization.
  • Learn new concepts from industry experts
  • Gain a foundational understanding of a subject or tool
  • Develop job-relevant skills with hands-on projects
  • Earn a shareable career certificate

There are 7 modules in this course

Learn how to analyze software estimation concepts, apply industry-standard estimation techniques, and improve project planning, scheduling, and cost management for software development projects. This course provides practical skills in software estimation, risk analysis, effort prediction, and project optimization using structured methodologies widely used in the software industry.

The course begins with the foundations of software estimation, including the importance of estimation in project success, key stakeholders involved, and common estimation approaches used in real-world software projects. Learners will understand how accurate estimation improves planning efficiency and decision-making. As the course progresses, learners explore Work Breakdown Structure (WBS), project decomposition, task dependencies, and scheduling techniques such as PERT. The course also introduces Use Case Point (UCP) estimation methods, including technical and environmental factor analysis for model-based software estimation. Advanced modules focus on algorithmic estimation models such as COCOMO and Function Point Analysis (FPA), helping learners estimate software size, complexity, effort, and project cost using systematic frameworks. The course also covers optimization techniques, estimation validation, risk analysis, resource planning, and cost optimization strategies. What makes this course unique is its integrated approach combining multiple software estimation methods into one cohesive learning path supported by practical applications and structured frameworks. By the end of the course, learners will be able to confidently estimate software projects, optimize planning decisions, improve scheduling accuracy, and support successful software project execution in professional environments.

This module introduces the fundamentals of software estimation, highlighting its importance in project success, key stakeholders involved, and foundational estimation approaches and techniques used in real-world software projects.

What's included

9 videos4 assignments

9 videosβ€’Total 76 minutes
  • Course Overviewβ€’11 minutes
  • Why Estimation Mattersβ€’9 minutes
  • Stakeholders in Estimationβ€’7 minutes
  • Basics of Estimationβ€’9 minutes
  • Estimation Approachesβ€’10 minutes
  • Estimation Tools & Techniquesβ€’7 minutes
  • Wideband Delphi Methodβ€’9 minutes
  • WBS Fundamentalsβ€’7 minutes
  • WBS Structureβ€’8 minutes
4 assignmentsβ€’Total 60 minutes
  • Introduction to Estimationβ€’10 minutes
  • Core Concepts & Approachesβ€’10 minutes
  • Expert-Based Estimationβ€’10 minutes
  • Graded - Foundations of Software Estimationβ€’30 minutes

This module focuses on breaking down software projects into manageable components using WBS, understanding task dependencies, and applying scheduling techniques like PERT for effective project planning.

What's included

9 videos4 assignments

9 videosβ€’Total 87 minutes
  • WBS Breakdownβ€’10 minutes
  • WBS Finalizationβ€’10 minutes
  • PERT Basicsβ€’11 minutes
  • PERT Calculationsβ€’11 minutes
  • Critical Path Analysisβ€’8 minutes
  • PERT Applicationsβ€’11 minutes
  • UCP Introductionβ€’11 minutes
  • Actors & Use Casesβ€’10 minutes
  • Complexity Weightsβ€’6 minutes
4 assignmentsβ€’Total 60 minutes
  • Work Breakdown Masteryβ€’10 minutes
  • Time & Dependency Analysisβ€’10 minutes
  • Introduction to Use Case Estimationβ€’10 minutes
  • Graded - Structuring Work & Project Planningβ€’30 minutes

This module explores the Use Case Point method for software estimation, including calculating unadjusted use case points, applying technical and environmental factors, and understanding model-based estimation techniques.

What's included

9 videos4 assignments

9 videosβ€’Total 70 minutes
  • UCP Calculationsβ€’8 minutes
  • Technical Factorsβ€’7 minutes
  • Environmental Factorsβ€’10 minutes
  • Adjusted UCPβ€’8 minutes
  • UCP Final Estimationβ€’8 minutes
  • COCOMO Overviewβ€’8 minutes
  • COCOMO Modelsβ€’5 minutes
  • Cost Driversβ€’10 minutes
  • Effort Estimationβ€’7 minutes
4 assignmentsβ€’Total 60 minutes
  • UCP Computationβ€’10 minutes
  • Refining Estimatesβ€’10 minutes
  • Model-Based Estimation Basicsβ€’10 minutes
  • Graded - Use Case Point (UCP) Estimationβ€’30 minutes

This module introduces algorithmic estimation models like COCOMO and dives into Function Point Analysis (FPA), focusing on functional decomposition and systematic calculation of software size.

What's included

9 videos4 assignments

9 videosβ€’Total 84 minutes
  • COCOMO Applicationsβ€’8 minutes
  • FPA Introductionβ€’11 minutes
  • Function Typesβ€’9 minutes
  • Data Functionsβ€’11 minutes
  • Transaction Functionsβ€’10 minutes
  • Weighting Factorsβ€’9 minutes
  • UFP Calculationβ€’7 minutes
  • Value Adjustmentβ€’9 minutes
  • GSC Factorsβ€’10 minutes
4 assignmentsβ€’Total 60 minutes
  • Applying COCOMOβ€’10 minutes
  • Functional Decompositionβ€’10 minutes
  • Calculating Function Pointsβ€’10 minutes
  • Graded - Algorithmic Models & Costingβ€’30 minutes

This module provides an in-depth understanding of Function Point Analysis, including complexity adjustments, real-world applications, validation techniques, and performance metrics for accurate estimation.

What's included

9 videos4 assignments

9 videosβ€’Total 81 minutes
  • Complexity Adjustmentβ€’10 minutes
  • VAF Calculationβ€’10 minutes
  • Adjusted FPβ€’11 minutes
  • FP Examplesβ€’7 minutes
  • Advanced FPβ€’7 minutes
  • FP Case Studyβ€’9 minutes
  • FP Validationβ€’7 minutes
  • FP Metricsβ€’10 minutes
  • FP Best Practicesβ€’10 minutes
4 assignmentsβ€’Total 60 minutes
  • Advanced Adjustmentsβ€’10 minutes
  • Practical Applicationsβ€’10 minutes
  • Validation & Metricsβ€’10 minutes
  • Graded - Function Point Analysis (FPA) Deep Diveβ€’30 minutes

This module focuses on enhancing estimation accuracy through optimization techniques, reviewing estimation outputs, and understanding effort and time estimation for better project planning.

What's included

9 videos4 assignments

9 videosβ€’Total 70 minutes
  • FP Reviewβ€’8 minutes
  • FP Optimizationβ€’7 minutes
  • FP Summaryβ€’10 minutes
  • FP Advanced Topicsβ€’7 minutes
  • FP Final Reviewβ€’7 minutes
  • Estimation Planningβ€’10 minutes
  • Effort Estimationβ€’8 minutes
  • Time Estimationβ€’6 minutes
  • Cost Estimationβ€’7 minutes
4 assignmentsβ€’Total 60 minutes
  • Reviewing & Enhancing FPβ€’10 minutes
  • Advanced Topics in Estimationβ€’10 minutes
  • Effort & Time Estimationβ€’10 minutes
  • Graded - Optimizing Estimation Techniquesβ€’30 minutes

This module covers the final stages of software estimation, including risk analysis, resource planning, cost optimization, and final validation to ensure accurate and reliable project estimates.

What's included

7 videos3 assignments

7 videosβ€’Total 57 minutes
  • Risk Considerationsβ€’12 minutes
  • Resource Planningβ€’10 minutes
  • Estimation Modelsβ€’9 minutes
  • Estimation Accuracyβ€’5 minutes
  • Resource Loadingβ€’9 minutes
  • Cost Optimizationβ€’6 minutes
  • Final Estimation Reviewβ€’7 minutes
3 assignmentsβ€’Total 50 minutes
  • Risk & Resource Planningβ€’10 minutes
  • Accuracy & Finalizationβ€’10 minutes
  • Graded - Final Estimation & Project Optimizationβ€’30 minutes

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Instructor

EDUCBA
1,580 Coursesβ€’325,720 learners

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