Date of Award

2007

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Engineering Science

Program

Electrical and Computer Engineering

Supervisor

Dr. Luiz Fernando Capretz

Second Advisor

Danny Ho

Abstract

Software estimation is an important aspect in software development projects because poor estimations can lead to late delivery, cost overruns, and possibly project failure. Backfiring is a popular technique for sizing and predicting the volume of source code by converting the function point metric into source lines of code mathematically using conversion ratios. While this technique is popular and useful, there is a high margin of error in backfiring. This research introduces a new method to reduce this margin of error. A neuro-fuzzy approach is introduced to the backfiring technique to calibrate the conversion ratios. The neuro-fuzzy solution was found to have a satisfactory improvement over the default conversion ratios; however, there are still risks as the solution failed to improve size estimates that are already accurate.

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