Differences Between the Basic, Intermediate, and Detailed COCOMO Model

In the realm of software engineering, the Construction Cost Model (COCOMO) is a significant technique for estimating software costs that has been used for many years. To estimate the time, effort, and resources needed for software development to be successful, COCOMO offers an organized method. For better decision-making, enhanced project planning, and efficient resource allocation, project managers, developers, and stakeholders can use this effective tool.

Types of COCOMO Models

• Basic COCOMO Model – Three key elements are highlighted: project size, development method, and input evaluation.
• Intermediate COCOMO Model – Five scale elements that impact project complexity and effort are taken into account by Average COCOMO. These include Development flexibility, Precedence, Team cohesion, Architecture/Risk Resolution, and Process Maturity.
• Detailed COCOMO Model – An accurate and thorough assessment of software effort, time, and resource needs is what the detailed COCOMO model seeks to give. It is an extension of the original COCOMO framework.

Differences Between the Basic, Intermediate, and Detailed COCOMO Model

Factors	Basic COCOMO	Intermediate COCOMO	Detailed COCOMO
Equation	Effort = a * (Size)^b	Effort = a * (Size)^b * EAF	Effort = a * (Size)^b * EAF * Mode Factors
Focus	Size-based estimation	Incorporates additional cost drivers for complexity	Extensive consideration of various factors
Size Metric	Thousands of Lines of Code (KLOC)	Same as Basic COCOMO (KLOC)	Same as Basic and Intermediate COCOMO (KLOC)
Complexity Factors	Not considered	Added cost drivers categorized into Product, Platform, and Personnel	Expanded set of 17 cost drivers
Cost Drivers	N/A	15 cost drivers for Product, Platform, and Personnel	17 cost drivers, including those from Intermediate COCOMO
Adjustment Factor	N/A	EAF (Effort Adjustment Factor) based on cost drivers	EAF multiplied by mode-specific effort factors
Development Modes	N/A	N/A	Differentiates between Organic, Semi-detached, and Embedded
Project Characteristics	Basic software development only	More comprehensive, considers development environment	Wide range of project-specific characteristics
Levels of complexity	Although it overlooks numerous project-specific considerations, Basic COCOMO offers a straightforward estimate based on size.	In order to increase estimation accuracy, Intermediate COCOMO provides cost elements that categorise aspects impacting development.	Detailed COCOMO takes into account several design elements and development approaches while also expanding cost variables.

Conclusion

COCOMO had a significant influence on software engineering by standardising the evaluation process and promoting a systematic approach to project management.

FAQs on COCOMO Model

Q.1: What is the COCOMO model?

Answer:

COCOMO (Constructive Cost Model) is a regression model based on LOC, i.e number of Lines of Code. It is a procedural cost estimate model for software projects and is often used as a process of reliably predicting the various parameters associated with making a project such as size, effort, cost, time, and quality. It was proposed by Barry Boehm in 1981 and is based on the study of 63 projects, which makes it one of the best-documented models.

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Q.2: What are the Expressions of the Basic COCOMO Model?

Answer:

E=a x (KLOC) b

P=effort/time

D=c x (Effort) d

Here, E is the effort in person-months, P is the total count of persons required to finish the project, D is the time of development in months, and KLOC denotes the product’s size, i.e., the kilo lines of code. All the constants a, b, c, and d have varying values for different models.

Q.3: What are the Expressions of the Intermediate COCOMO Model?

Answer:

E=ax(KLOC)b x EAF PM

D=cx(Effort)d

Here, E is the effort in person-months, KLOC denotes the product’s size, i.e., the kilo lines of code, and EAF is the Effort Adjustment Factor calculated by multiplying the values of different parameters of different cost drivers.

Q.4: What are the Three Types of Projects in COCOMO?

Answer:

COCOMO model techniques divide software projects into three categories: organic, semi-detached, and embedded. These are categorized on the basis of the sizes of teams and the project, developer experience, the developing environment, innovation, and deadline.