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SLIM-Estimate Solution Methods

 

One of the most powerful features of SLIM-Suite software project estimation products (SLIM-Estimate, SLIM-Collaborate, and SLIM-MasterPlan) is the ability to quickly and easily calculate multiple "What-If?" scenarios to explore a range of potential software project outcomes based on business goals and planning decisions about the four variables of the SLIM Software Production Equation.

 

SLIM Software Production Equation: Size = Effort * Time * Productivity

 

Only four core metrics are required to calculate a software project estimate:

  • Software Size - software project scope
  • Effort - person-hours, team size, or cost
  • Time - duration or schedule
  • Productivity - QSM's Productivity Index (PI)

You may only have information for one or more of these variables, especially during the early proposal and planning stage.  SLIM estimation applications provide several Solution Methods to take "what you know" to solve for "what you don't know."  For example, very early estimates can be produced using one of SLIM's Trend Based solutions, since Software Size is the only required input, which can be entered using T-shirt sizing.

 

SLIM-Estimate Solution Method Infographic

The SLIM-Estimate Solution Methods infographic describes the purpose or use case, input assumptions, calculated variables, values from industry or custom trends, and values derived from one or more of the previous.  

 

List of SLIM-Estimate Solution Methods with colored icons indicating how each of the core values of the Software Production Equation are derived

 

SLIM-Collaborate provides many of the same solution methods.  See SLIM-Collaborate Solution Methods Infographic for more information.