Web Effort Estimation Using Case-Based Reasoning

Abstract

Software practitioners recognise the importance of realistic effort estimates to the successful management of software projects, the Web being no exception. Having realistic estimates at an early stage in a project’s life cycle allow project managers and development organisations to manage resources effectively. Several techniques have been proposed to date to help organisations estimate effort for new projects. One of these is a machine-learning technique called case-based reasoning. This chapter presents a case study that details step by step, using real data from completed industrial Web projects, how to obtain effort estimates using case-based reasoning, and how to assess the prediction accuracy of this technique. The reason to describe the use of case-based reasoning for effort estimation is motivated by its previous use with promising results in Web effort estimation studies.