Discriminant Analysis of the Effects of Software Cost Drivers on Software Project Schedule Estimates in Nigeria

Abstract

The paper work investigates the effect of software cost drivers on project schedule estimation of software development projects in Nigeria. Specifically, the paper determines the extent to which software cost variables affect our software project time schedule in our environment. Such studies are lacking in the recent development of information technology in Nigeria. Primary data was collected using the five point Likert scale. The data was subjected to discriminant analysis. It was found that software size cost driver/variable, personnel cost driver, and software development tools cost driver exhibited the largest correlation within the discriminating function (project duration estimate). Although, there are no perfect models yet, it is recommended that particular attention be paid to these cost drivers/variables as they reflect positively in the software development time schedule.

Keywords: Software cost drivers, Software projects, Software development time schedule.