Case Study: Software Estimation Isn't Too Taxing For The IRS — How Can You Improve Your Return?

Estimating the true effort and cost of software development projects is tough. You have to understand your business, your technology, your resources, and the cost for each — generally with too little information to build a strong understanding. Unfortunately, there is no simple formula for producing a reliable estimate, because there are so many variables to consider. The IRS faced this dilemma, as most organizations do, and it took action: It initiated the creation of an estimation program office (EPO) to improve estimation in pursuit of making better investment decisions. The IRS succeeded by focusing on business needs, establishing support and knowledge, defining a relevant cost structure, implementing an estimation tool, and building stakeholder trust. Learn from the IRS's experiences, and you too can improve your software estimates.