> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://isubasinghe.gitbook.io/isithas-wiki/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://isubasinghe.gitbook.io/isithas-wiki/software_engineering/cost_estimation.md).

# cost\_estimation

## Basic idea

Predicting effort, schedule, and cost of a software project before it is built. Mostly inaccurate; the value is in the act of estimating and re-estimating.

## Key formulas

* COCOMO basic: $E = a \cdot \text{KLOC}^b$
* PERT: $T\_E = (O + 4M + P)/6$
* Algorithmic model: $\text{Effort} = A \cdot \text{Size}^B \cdot M$
