A Risk-Integrated Perspective on the Influence of Technical and Environmental Complexity in Software Effort Estimation

Open

Renny Sari Dewi, Riyanarto Sarno, Endang Siti Astuti

2025 Engineering, Technology and Applied Science Research Vol. 15 Issue 6 Article Cited by 0 Quartile

Abstract

Accurate software effort estimation is a persistent challenge in project management, as a significant share of project failures is attributed to inadequate prior risk consideration. Among the widely adopted methodologies that are used for early estimation of the success of a project is the Use Case Points (UCP) method, yet its framework does not take into consideration risk factors, undermining its reliability. To improve upon this limitation, this study introduces UCPRisk, a rule-based expert-guided UCP model that explicitly integrates risk factors across six dimensions: requirements, planning and control, project complexity, user involvement, team dynamics, and organizational environment. The model was evaluated through three public service application case studies, producing effort estimates of 1,564.42 man-hours (agriculture application), 7,287.91 man-hours (company registration), and 4,669.17 man-hours (industrial permit registration). Compared to traditional UCP, UCPRisk reduced the average Relative Error (RE) to 24.3%, demonstrating improved alignment with actual project outcomes. While not a definitive cost calculation tool, UCPRisk provides a structured framework that embeds risk into early estimation, offering more realistic projections for software development. (c) by the authors

Affiliations

Department of Informatics, Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember, Surabaya, Indonesia; Department of Digital Business, Universitas Negeri Surabaya, Surabaya, Indonesia; Department of Business Administration, Brawijaya University, Malang, Indonesia