Linda M. Laird & M. Carol Brennan 
Software Measurement and Estimation 
A Practical Approach

An effective, quantitative approach for estimating and managing
software projects

How many people do I need? When will the quality be good enough for
commercial sale? Can this really be done in two weeks? Rather than
relying on instinct, the authors of Software Measurement and
Estimation offer a new, tested approach that includes the
quantitative tools, data, and knowledge needed to make sound
estimations.

The text begins with the foundations of measurement, identifies the
appropriate metrics, and then focuses on techniques and tools for
estimating the effort needed to reach a given level of quality and
performance for a software project. All the factors that impact
estimations are thoroughly examined, giving you the tools needed to
regularly adjust and improve your estimations to complete a project
on time, within budget, and at an expected level of quality.

This text includes several features that have proven to be
successful in making the material accessible and easy to
master:

* Simple, straightforward style and logical presentation and
organization enables you to build a solid foundation of theory and
techniques to tackle complex estimations

* Examples, provided throughout the text, illustrate how to use
theory to solve real-world problems

* Projects, included in each chapter, enable you to apply your
newfound knowledge and skills

* Techniques for effective communication of quantitative data help
you convey your findings and recommendations to peers and
management

Software Measurement and Estimation: A Practical Approach allows
practicing software engineers and managers to better estimate,
manage, and effectively communicate the plans and progress of their
software projects. With its classroom-tested features, this is an
excellent textbook for advanced undergraduate-level and graduate
students in computer science and software engineering.

An Instructor Support FTP site is available from the Wiley
editorial department.

About the author

LINDA M. LAIRD is Adjunct Professor at Stevens Institute of
Technology, where she teaches Quantitative Software Engineering.
Dr. Laird has more than thirty years of experience building and
managing systems for Lucent Technologies, AT&T, and Bell
Laboratories.

M. CAROL BRENNAN is former vice president and general
manager of the Quality and Operations Center at Telcordia
Technologies, where she was responsible for design, development,
and implementation of the Telcordia quality management system. She
has more than twenty-five years of experience in software design,
development, testing, performance, maintenance, and customer
support as well as quality strategy, policy, and
implementation.