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Thesis advisor, T. Hamid

Cost estimation of software, in this era of budgetary constraints, is vitally important to the success or failure of a software project. Although there are many cost estimation models available, cost overruns and late deliveries still persist. Coupling the Constructive Cost model (COCOMO) and the Systems Dynamics Model of Software Project Management can provide a tool to study project management over the life of a project, to use sensitivity analysis to enhance COCOMO's cost driver set, and to utilize an automated optimization system for software cost estimation in a single or multi-project environment. This new type of model creates a means to study the multi-project environment and determine what the advantages and disadvantages are to sharing resources between different software projects. Several \"C\" programs were developed, that when interfaced and coupled with the system dynamic model, provide a tool to optimize cost estimates in a two project environment. It also creates an environment to perform extensive sensitivity analysis for the enhancement of COCOMO's cost driver set in the single and two project environment.

Cost estimation of software, in this era of budgetary constraints, is vitally important to the success or failure of a software project. Although there are many cost estimation models available, cost overruns and late deliveries still persist. Coupling the Constructive Cost Model (COCOMO) and the System Dynamics Model of Software Project Management can provide a tool to study project management over the life of a project, to use sensitivity analysis to enhance COCOMO's cost driver set, and to utilize an automated optimization system for software cost estimation in a single or multi-project environment. This new type of model creates a means to study the multi-project environment and determine what the advantages and disadvantages are to sharing resources between different software projects. Several 'C' programs were developed, that when interfaced and coupled with the system dynamic model, provide a tool to optimize cost estimates in a two project environment. It also creates an environment to perform extensive sensitivity analysis for the enhancement of COCOMO's cost driver set in the single and two project environment.