Software Cost estimation techniques MCQs – (analogous, parametric, bottom-up)
1. What is “analogous estimation” in software cost estimation?
A) Using historical data from similar projects to estimate costs
B) Estimating costs based on mathematical models
C) Breaking down the project into smaller components for detailed estimation
D) Estimating costs based on expert judgment
Answer: A
2. Which technique involves using statistical relationships between historical data and other variables for cost estimation?
A) Parametric Estimating
B) Analogous Estimating
C) Bottom-Up Estimating
D) Expert Judgment
Answer: A
3. What is the primary advantage of using “analogous estimating”?
A) It is relatively quick and based on past project data
B) It requires detailed project breakdown
C) It involves extensive mathematical calculations
D) It requires specific input data for each task
Answer: A
4. Which of the following is a limitation of “analogous estimating”?
A) It may be inaccurate if past projects are not similar
B) It is time-consuming and complex
C) It requires extensive historical data
D) It involves detailed project breakdowns
Answer: A
5. What does “parametric estimation” rely on for cost estimation?
A) Statistical models and historical data to predict costs based on specific parameters
B) Expert judgment and historical data
C) Detailed project task breakdown
D) Comparative analysis of similar projects
Answer: A
6. What is a key advantage of “parametric estimation”?
A) It can provide more accurate estimates when the right parameters are used
B) It is less dependent on historical data
C) It does not require detailed project information
D) It is quick and requires minimal data
Answer: A
7. Which technique involves breaking down a project into smaller components for detailed cost estimation?
A) Bottom-Up Estimating
B) Parametric Estimating
C) Analogous Estimating
D) Expert Judgment
Answer: A
8. What is the primary advantage of “bottom-up estimating”?
A) It provides detailed estimates based on individual tasks
B) It is quick and does not require detailed information
C) It relies on historical data from similar projects
D) It is less detailed and more general
Answer: A
9. Which of the following is a limitation of “bottom-up estimating”?
A) It can be time-consuming and require a lot of detailed information
B) It is less accurate than other methods
C) It relies on historical data that may not be available
D) It does not provide detailed task breakdowns
Answer: A
10. In which situation is “analogous estimation” most suitable?
A) When detailed historical data from similar projects is available
B) When detailed task breakdowns are required
C) When statistical models are needed for accurate predictions
D) When breaking down the project into smaller components
Answer: A
11. Which method involves estimating costs by comparing the project with similar past projects?
A) Analogous Estimating
B) Parametric Estimating
C) Bottom-Up Estimating
D) Three-Point Estimating
Answer: A
12. What is a key characteristic of “parametric estimation”?
A) It uses statistical relationships to estimate costs
B) It relies on detailed task breakdowns
C) It involves comparing similar projects
D) It provides estimates based on historical data alone
Answer: A
13. Which estimation technique involves aggregating estimates from detailed task levels to arrive at a total estimate?
A) Bottom-Up Estimating
B) Analogous Estimating
C) Parametric Estimating
D) Expert Judgment
Answer: A
14. What is a common application of “analogous estimation” in software projects?
A) Estimating the cost of a new software project based on similar past projects
B) Determining the cost of individual software components
C) Predicting future costs based on mathematical models
D) Creating a detailed project schedule
Answer: A
15. Which technique is most likely to provide accurate estimates when historical data and parameters are well-defined?
A) Parametric Estimating
B) Bottom-Up Estimating
C) Analogous Estimating
D) Expert Judgment
Answer: A
16. What is a typical use case for “bottom-up estimating”?
A) When detailed project tasks and components are well understood
B) When quick and rough estimates are needed
C) When historical data from similar projects is unavailable
D) When only high-level project estimates are required
Answer: A
17. Which technique requires breaking down the project into work packages and estimating each one individually?
A) Bottom-Up Estimating
B) Parametric Estimating
C) Analogous Estimating
D) Three-Point Estimating
Answer: A
18. What does “parametric estimation” use to predict costs?
A) Historical data and statistical relationships
B) Expert judgment and similar past projects
C) Detailed breakdown of project tasks
D) Comparative analysis of project components
Answer: A
19. Which technique is likely to be most accurate when a detailed understanding of project components is available?
A) Bottom-Up Estimating
B) Analogous Estimating
C) Parametric Estimating
D) Expert Judgment
Answer: A
20. In which situation is “parametric estimation” less effective?
A) When accurate historical data and parameters are not available
B) When detailed task breakdowns are required
C) When historical data from similar projects is available
D) When using statistical models for predictions
Answer: A
21. Which technique involves estimating project costs by aggregating estimates from lower-level tasks?
A) Bottom-Up Estimating
B) Parametric Estimating
C) Analogous Estimating
D) Expert Judgment
Answer: A
22. Which method uses cost estimates from similar past projects as a reference?
A) Analogous Estimating
B) Parametric Estimating
C) Bottom-Up Estimating
D) Three-Point Estimating
Answer: A
23. Which technique is best suited for projects with well-defined and similar historical data?
A) Analogous Estimating
B) Parametric Estimating
C) Bottom-Up Estimating
D) Expert Judgment
Answer: A
24. What does “bottom-up estimation” involve in software project cost estimation?
A) Estimating costs at the lowest level of detail and aggregating them
B) Using historical data to estimate costs
C) Estimating costs based on high-level parameters
D) Comparing costs with similar projects
Answer: A
25. Which technique is generally used for quick, high-level cost estimation?
A) Analogous Estimating
B) Bottom-Up Estimating
C) Parametric Estimating
D) Expert Judgment
Answer: A
26. What is the primary disadvantage of “parametric estimating”?
A) It requires accurate and relevant historical data
B) It provides detailed breakdowns of project tasks
C) It relies on expert judgment
D) It is based on comparisons with similar projects
Answer: A
27. Which technique involves using historical data from similar projects to create a cost estimate?
A) Analogous Estimating
B) Parametric Estimating
C) Bottom-Up Estimating
D) Expert Judgment
Answer: A
28. What is a potential drawback of “bottom-up estimating”?
A) It can be time-consuming and requires detailed task breakdowns
B) It relies on historical data from similar projects
C) It uses statistical models for predictions
D) It provides high-level estimates quickly
Answer: A
29. What does “analogous estimating” rely on to predict project costs?
A) Past project data from similar projects
B) Statistical models and parameters
C) Detailed task analysis
D) Expert opinions
Answer: A
30. Which technique is most appropriate when the project scope is not well-defined?
A) Analogous Estimating
B) Bottom-Up Estimating
C) Parametric Estimating
D) Expert Judgment
Answer: A
31. What type of data does “parametric estimation” typically require?
A) Historical data and statistical parameters
B) Detailed task breakdowns
C) Comparative analysis with similar projects
D) Expert opinions
Answer: A
32. Which estimation technique involves assessing each component of the project in detail?
A) Bottom-Up Estimating
B) Analogous Estimating
C) Parametric Estimating
D) Expert Judgment
Answer: A
33. What is a key benefit of “bottom-up estimating” in software projects?
A) Provides detailed and accurate estimates based on individual tasks
B) Requires minimal detailed information
C) Utilizes historical data for quick estimates
D) Relies on high-level parameters for cost prediction
Answer: A
34. Which technique uses expert judgment and historical data to estimate project costs?
A) Analogous Estimating
B) Parametric Estimating
C) Bottom-Up Estimating
D) Expert Judgment
Answer: A
35. What is the primary advantage of “parametric estimation” over other methods?
A) It can offer more precise estimates when parameters are accurate
B) It is less time-consuming and requires less detail
C) It relies on expert judgment rather than data
D) It involves no historical data at all
Answer: A