What is it?
An ISBSG Reality Check is a quick and low cost method which Project Boards can use to check that, prior to project approval, the development effort, cost and duration expectations of the project plan are realistic.
The Reality Check is available to ISBSG web subscribers
The need
One of the major reasons that software projects fail is because the original cost and duration targets are not realistic. Typically they have been set by business imperatives which have directed that the project will deliver:
· a particular outcome
· to a set budget, and
· by a certain date.
In the absence of any objective assessment of these outcomes the project is forced to proceed whereas a simple reality check would indicate just how realistic the expectations were in the specific circumstance.
Over the past decade a large body-of-knowledge has been created that now makes the development of realistic estimates possible, timely and affordable. It would be inconceivable that a critical building project would proceed without some assurance, either detailed or rule of thumb, that the project has a fair chance of succeeding.
The four steps of a Reality Check
Step-1 Determine the software size of the intended application
Step-2 Enter the relevant project parameters into the Reality Checker
· Project Size (functional units)
· Platform (MF, MR, PC)
· Language (3GL, 4GL, Application Generator)
· Type (development type - New, Re or Enhancement)
Step-3 Conduct a ‘reality check’ on the two primary expectations
· Total developer effort (Project Work Effort)
· Elapsed Time (months)
Step-4 Interpret the results and decide intended actions (if any)
· Use: Interpretation Guidelines for the Reality Check
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