Estimating software size with COSMIC method

An important aspect of preparing for the implementation and deployment of an IT system is to estimate the costs of the project. This is most often done using the so-called 'expert method', i.e. guessing the number of working days and multiplying it by an agreed daily rate. However, this can also be done objectively using the COSMIC function point method. Participants learn the principles of the COSMIC method and how to determine the size of the system being developed or procured.

This training is for:

business analysts, business process owners, product owners,
analysts and designers of IT systems,
people responsible for budgeting IT projects.

By the end of the training participants will have learned:

assumptions and concepts of the COSMIC method,
to prepare a functional system model upon which software size can be measured,
to determine the software size using the COSMIC method.

Training duration

2 days

Methodology

Lectures and exercises. Most of the time is spent on doing exercises and their discussion. Trainees actively participate in the training.

The training is conducted without computers. Participants use pen, paper and flipchart as their modeling tools. This allows to concentrate on modeling proper, not on dealing with the tool.

Training outline:

Day 1.

Software size and cost estimation methods - overview.
Introduction to the COSMIC method.
Software measurement strategy phase.
Mapping phase - identification of data groups and functional processes.

Day 2

Mapping phase - modeling functional processes using UML activity diagrams.
Measurement phase - identifying data movements.
Local extensions to the COSMIC method.
Simplified estimations with the COSMIC method.