I set a Schedule Constraint of 24 months. Why does the Solution Panel show a 22-month schedule for the life cycle?

There are several reasons this could be happening, but the most likely cause is that you entered a target probability of more than 50% for the Schedule constraint. For example, if you enter a time constraint of 24 months at a target probability of 90%, you are asking SLIM-Estimate to calculate a risk-buffered solution that provides a 90% probability that the project will not exceed 24 months: in effect, a risk-buffered solution.

What is the difference between the Base Size Unit and the Function Unit?

The Function Unit is a measure of software size, which represents the project scope or the amount of work to be done.  It makes sense to dscribe a book as a collection of chapters, or a building by the number of floors or rooms it contains.  The Function Unit allows us to describe a system as a group of functional or logical components, e.g., Function Points, features, reports, or interfaces.

How do I set Phase Start dates?

Phase start dates, duration, and effort settings are used to configure the lifecycle model to your development methods and practices.  Select Estimate | Solution Assumptions from the main menu, then select the Phase Tuning tab.  The start date for the first phase included in the project is the project start date specified on the Solution Assumptions Basic Info tab or via Solution Wizards.

What options are available for sizing projects in SLIM-Estimate?

Though we provide "starter" skills allocation for both new workbooks and QSM templates, the skills breakout is turned off by default because the skill categories, labor rates, and skills allocation data are most meaningful when they are configured to match the roles and practices actually in use on your projects. We recommend you create a template or two that represents a typical project resource requirement schema for your organization, then tailor it for individual projects as necessary.