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project-managementestimation

What factor determines the cost of a software project?

If you have $100 in your hand right now. And have to bet on one of these options. That would you bet it on? The question is:

What is the most important factor, that determents the cost of a project.

  1. Typing speed of the programmers.
  2. The total amount of characters typed while programming.
  3. The 'wc *.c' command. The end size of the c files.
  4. The abstractions used while solving the problem.

Update: Ok, just for the record. This is the most stupid question I ever asked. The question should be. Rank the list above. Most important factor first. Which are the most important factor. I ask, because I think the character count matters. Less character to change when requirements change. The faster it's done. Or?

UPDATE: This question was discussed in Stackoverflow podcast #23. Thanks Jeff! :)

Solution

  • From McConnell:

    http://www.codinghorror.com/blog/archives/000637.html

    [For a software project], size is easily the most significant determinant of effort, cost, and schedule. The kind of software you're developing comes in second, and personnel factors are a close third. The programming language and environment you use are not first-tier influences on project outcome, but they are a first-tier influence on the estimate.

    1. Project size
    2. Kind of software being developed
    3. Personnel factors

    I don't think you accounted for #3 in the above list. There's usually an order of magnitude or more difference in skill between programmers, not to mention all the Peopleware issues that can affect the schedule profoundly (bad apples, bad management, etc).