The next step in our estimating process is to consider the technical factors of the project. To do this, use Table C-3 to assign a rating between 0 (irrelevant) and 5 (essential) for each topic. After rating each topic, multiply the weight by the rating to get an extended weight. The total extended weight for all technical factors is called the Tfactor.
Table C-3. Weighting Factors for Technical Factors
Technical Factor
Weight
Rating
Extended Weight (weight × rating)
Reason
1. Distributed system
2
3
6
The system must be able to scale.
2. Response or throughput performance objectives
1
2
2
Although response times aren't “hard,” they must be tolerable.
3. End-user efficiency (online)
1
3
3
The system must be easy to comprehend.
4. Complex internal processing
1
1
1
There is very little complex processing.
5. Reusability of code
1
3
3
The code must be extensible to add future functionality.
6. Ease of installation
0.5
2
1
Installation will be minimal to two different sites.
7. Ease of use
0.5
4
2
The system must be easy to use.
8. Portability
2
0
0
There are no portability requirements.
9. Ease of change
1
3
3
The system must be changeable as the needs of Remulak evolve.
10. Concurrency
1
1
1
At present, there are few concurrency issues.
11.Special security features
1
2
2
There will be security requirements in future releases, but they are basic.
12.Direct access for third parties
1
2
2
There are Internet access requirements for order inquiry.
13.Requirement for special user training
1
0
0
There are no special training requirements.
T factor
26
Now that we have the T factor, we plug the value into a formula to obtain the technical complexity factor (TCF): TCF = 0.6 + (0.01 × T factor). This formula gives us the following result for Remulak Productions:
