Use Case Points

The Use Case Points method ( UCP method ) is a top-down estimation method that can be used in early project phases with little effort for the estimation of expenses of software development projects. The UCP method is based on considerations of Gustav Karner, of an algorithmic estimation method developed during his diploma thesis in 1993 in order to estimate cost and effort estimation in software development.

UCP method according to Karner

In 1993, Gustav Karner developed in collaboration with the company Objectory in his thesis, the Use Case Points method ( UCP method ). Karner looked at use cases and actors with whom he calculated the Use Case Points (UCP), and saw it as a measure to describe the technical and functional scope of a software system. Standing beyond, for engineering efficiency and more information available to other factors make attention. This allows the accuracy of the method improved.

Further developments

The Use Case Points Method 2.0 ( UCP method 2.0) was developed in a Master thesis in cooperation with the University of Munich, the University of Magdeburg and the company Capgemini sd & m in 2008. The UCP method 2.0 is further based on Use Case Points, but uses for their education improved counting and calculation rules and a revised factors. These were based II, another method from literature and industrial practice developed COCOMO a new cost model. The function of the UCP method 2.0 is published in the second edition of FORUM Business Munich.

The solution 3.0 Use Case Points ( UCP 3.0) was developed in a doctoral dissertation at the University of Paderborn in cooperation with the firm Capgemini sd & m and was published in 2009. In the thesis, a model-based approach has been defined which transforms different specification shapes on a newly developed UCP language. Individual descriptions in the UCP- language can then be mapped to a size measurement ( points). UCP 3.0 creates together with an application guide, a standardized method for the estimation process and shows in industrial practice a high degree of reproducibility with significantly improved estimation accuracy.

As a weakness of the UCP method according to Karner is seen that the method by Karner could not be adequately calibrated, since this was not statistically sufficient number of projects for the regression analysis. In addition, the linear model of the method occurring in software development projects negative scale effects can not account for. Nevertheless, the method offers significant advantages in the measurement of projects in the early stages, but can be simplified by the fast counting the functional size of the IT product are determined (FSM, functional size measurment, in this case UUCW UAW ). The FSM can then be combined with statistical models, such as the validated COCOMO II to generate more reliable estimates.