Estimating software development costs for a patient multimedia education project.
The authors compare alternative methods of cost estimation for a patient multimedia education (PME) program, using a computerized weight-reduction PME project as an example. Data from the project planning and budgeting process and actual costs of the completed project are analyzed retrospectively to calculate three different estimates-pre-work, post-work, and actual work. Three traditional methods of estimating the cost of computer programs (the lines-of-code, function point, and task ratio analyses) underestimate costs in this example. A commercial program (Cost Xpert) that calculates the cost of developing a graphical user interface provided a better estimate, as did a tally reflecting the complexity and quality of media material in the project.
Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
A
A
Caban
C
C
Cimino
C
C
Swencionis
M
M
Ginsberg
J
J
Wylie-Rosett
D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D019212:Multimedia / Q000191:economics*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000191:economics*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012984:Software / Q000191:economics*; D014584:User-Computer Interface; D015431:Weight Loss