Evaluate and Adjust Solution Risk Interactive Estimate Analysis dashboards display key software project assumptions and estimated outcomes with associated risks. Quickly and easily make adjustments to visualize time-effort tradeoffs and increase the probability of meeting constraints.Average Staff vs Time with Agile sprint lines clearly show how changes in one affect the otherUse the Control Panel dials to see the impact of increasing or decreasing software size, productivity, or peak staffSolution Panel lists core management metrics (Duration, Effort, Cost, Peak Staff, Avg Staff, and Reliability) for the development and test phase, plus project life cycle totalsAssess the probability of meeting constraints. Slide the Risk Gauge arrows to see what is required to meet constraints and generate risk-buffered solutions
Software Size Estimate Calculator SLIM's top-down estimation methodology begins with estimating software size (scope) because it drives effort, cost, staffing, and duration. Create early estimates using T-shirt sizes and refine as requirements are better understood.Select one or more sizing methods, such as Agile or component-based sizing, to estimate different parts or the whole systemAccount for software complexity by identifying simple, medium, and complex featuresLeverage T-shirt sizes derived from QSM's Industry Trends of actual software size measures
Validate Estimates Against History Software projects, more often than not, are over-constrained. Without historical software project data, it is difficult to recognize overly aggressive schedules and/or tight budgets.Plot estimate solutions against industry trends or custom trends for core metrics to quickly identify unrealistic expectations - target outcomes that position outside +/- 1 standard deviationReconstruct vendor cost and schedule proposals to flush out unusually high productivity assumptions to negotiate solutions that benefit both partiesImport completed software project data for similar systems to sanity check estimates and ensure estimates align with the organization's proven capabilities
Alternative Solution Comparison There is never just one way to run a software project! SLIM gives you the power to quickly compute "What-if" scenarios to explore time, effort, and scope tradeoffs and their associated risks.Start with a trend-based solution that indicates the duration and effort required to deliver software of the same type and sizeCompute and log estimates designed to meet a single goal, such as effort, team size, or project end date, to see what it will take to achieve the goalLog solutions run for each T-shirt size, from very small to very large, and create a template for super quick estimates of the scope that can be delivered within the desired time or budget