Roetzheim, W. (2000, August). Estimating Internet Development. Software Development Online. Retrieved March 10, 2001, from the World Wide Web: http://www.sdmagazine.com/articles/2000/0008/0008d/0008d.htm

The author, CEO of the Cost Xpert Group and authority on software cost estimating, discussed the difference between estimating the cost of Internet development projects and other more traditional software projects (e.g. client/server). While most aspects of Internet projects are similar to client/server development efforts, Internet projects include new activities. For example, market-strategy formulation and business-process analysis, which were previously completed before the software project, are now included in Internet development projects.

The article also pointed out that unlike traditional efforts, Internet projects require the immediate and complete integration of marketing, business process, and software development efforts. In addition, the timeframe to complete an Internet system is compressed to just a few months. The author thoroughly described how traditional estimating techniques could be adjusted to produce accurate results for Internet development efforts. Specific examples were provided in the areas of parametric models, size and effort, environmental adjustment, and system life cycles. The article also included a comprehensive listing of software life cycle templates.

In summary, the article provided a concise review of traditional and Internet software project estimation techniques. Roetzheim did an excellent job in identifying the unique characteristics of Internet development projects and in providing techniques to adjust existing estimation techniques for any significant differences.