An Analysis of the RCA Price-S Cost Estimation Model as it Relates to Current Air Force Computer Software Acquisition and Management.
Abstract
The enormous technical accomplishments of the computer industry have led to the building of computers of all sizes and complexities. As the range of defense computer applications grows and the complexity of the tasks these systems are called upon to handle increases, the costs of developing the application software has also increased such that it has now become a dominant component in the total system cost. The purpose of this research is to provide those involved in the software cost estimation task with an introduction to Air Force computer resource acquisition and management in general; and specifically to investigate the applicability of the RCA PRICE-S software cost estimation model to Air Force applications system development. A mass of computer software acquisition and management study, policy, and guidance literature was reviewed, and an attempt was made to consolidate the most pertinent information into a description of the overall processes. Historical cost and schedule data were collected on 18 Air Force software development projects. This data which included systems of the three major Air Force applications areas of: embedded avionics; embedded command and control; and management data systems was used to calibrate and validate the PRICE-S cost estimation model. Based on the data available in this preliminary analysis effort, it appears that the PRICE-S model is compatible with current Air Force software acquisition and management techniques.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 1979
- Accession Number
- ADA083713
Entities
People
- Raymond E. Steffey Jr
Organizations
- Air Force Institute of Technology