An Empirical Study of Software Cost Estimation in Saudi Arabia Software Industry
Abdu Gumaei1, Bandar Almaslukh2, Nejmeddine Tagoug3
1Mr. Abdu Gumaei, Department of Computer Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, KSA, Saudi Arabia.
2Bandar Almaslukh, Department of Computer Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, KSA, Saudi Arabia.
3Dr. Nejmeddine Tagoug, Department of Information Systems, King Saud University, Riyadh, KSA, Saudi Arabia.
Manuscript received on January 02, 2014. | Revised Manuscript received on January 04, 2014. | Manuscript published on January 05, 2014. | PP: 44-48 | Volume-4 Issue-6, January 2014. | Retrieval Number: F2465014615/2015©BEIESP
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© The Authors. Published By: Blue Eyes Intelligence Engineering and Sciences Publication (BEIESP). This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)
Abstract: — Cost estimation of software projects is a very important activity in software process development for shaping how much effort and time software projects required. Successful software projects depends mainly on an accurate cost estimation which is one of the most critical factors of good management decisions. Accurate cost estimation of software projects is not easy to do because it needs more experience and more knowledge about the nature and key features of projects. Especially as there are many cost estimation models available including algorithmic models, expert judgment model, estimating by analogy, and machine learning models. Saudi Arabia is one of the most outsourced country which has employed some methods for cost estimation. Incorrect cost estimations of projects in software development houses of this country prompted us research about the reasons for this problem. In this study, we concentrated on Saudi Arabia software companies and prepared a questionnaire to collect data with goal of exploring the software cost estimation models and analyzing the reasons which effect on the selection of software cost estimation models or methods in Saudi Arabia software industry.
Keywords: Software Projects, Cost Estimation, Expert Judgment Model, Algorithmic Models, Estimating by Analogy