Could large U.K. corporations and computing companies use software cost estimating tools?-A survey

Software cost estimating tools were developed to address the problem of estimating the size and cost of software projects. Recent surveys, however, have shown that few managers use such tools. This survey formulated and tested a number of propositions in order to explain this apparent lack of use. Large U.K. corporations and computing companies were targeted, since it was believed that such companies would give more information on the use of estimating tools. It was found that while almost all saw estimation as a problem and used some form of project planning tool, fewer than a third used any form of estimating tool. The lack of a framework to support their development and use, and a failure of publicity on the part of the vendors, appear to be the two most common explanations for the non-use of estimating tools. However, it seems that a substantial proportion of companies which could use estimating tools simply choose not to do so.