LEMABE: a novel framework to improve analogy-based software cost estimation using learnable evolution model

One of the most important and critical factors in software projects is the proper cost estimation. This activity, which has to be done prior to the beginning of a project in the initial stage, always encounters several challenges and problems. However, due to the high significance and impact of the proper cost estimation, several approaches and methods have been proposed regarding how to perform cost estimation, in which the analogy-based approach is one of the most popular ones. In recent years, many attempts have been made to employ suitable techniques and methods in this approach in order to improve estimation accuracy. However, achieving improved estimation accuracy in these techniques is still an appropriate research topic. To improve software development cost estimation, the current study has investigated the effect of the LEM algorithm on optimization of features weighting and proposed a new method as well. In this research, the effectiveness of this algorithm has been examined on two datasets, Desharnais and Maxwell. Then, MMRE, PRED (0.25), and MdMRE criteria have been used to evaluate and compare the proposed method against other evolutionary algorithms. Employing the proposed method showed considerable improvement in estimating software cost estimation.

Software Cost Estimation and Capability Maturity Model in Context of Global Software Engineering

Software cost estimation is the process of forecasting the effort needed to develop the software system. Global software engineering (GSE) highlights that software development knows no boundaries and majority of the software products and services are developed today by globally-distributed teams, projects, and companies. The problem of cost estimation gets more complex if the discussion is carried out in the context of GSE, which has its own issues. Temporal, cultural, and geographical distance creates communication and software process implementation issues. Traditional software process models such as capability maturity model (CMM) lacks the dynamism to accommodate the recent trends in GSE. The chapter introduces GSE and discusses various cost estimation techniques and different levels of CMM. A couple of GSE-based case studies having CMM-level projects from multiple organizations are studied to analyze the impacts of highly mature processes on effort, quality, and cycle time.

Software Release Planning Using Grey Wolf Optimizer

This chapter presents the application of grey wolf optimizer in software release planning considering warranty based on the proposed mathematical model that measures reliability growth of software systems. Hence, optimal release and warranty time is determined while minimizing the overall software development cost. The software cost model is based on failure phenomenon modelled by incorporating fault removal efficiency, fault reduction factor, and error generation. The model has been validated on the fault dataset of ERP systems. Sensitivity analysis has been carried out to study the discrete changes in the cost parameter due to changes in optimal solution. The work significantly contributes to the literature by fulfilling gaps of reliability growth models, release problems considering warranty, and efficient ways for solving optimization problems. Further, the grey wolf optimizer result has been compared with genetic algorithm and particle swarm optimization techniques.

Integrated Project Delivery with BIM: A Methodical Approach Within the UK Consulting Sector

The aim of this study is to identify the advantages and limitations in the implementation of the Building Information Modelling (BIM) and Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) in the UK consulting sector. A literature review critically analyses the existing literature, (including online articles and publications owing to the current and fast-moving nature of the topic in question). Next, a qualitative research approach was employed through interviews which targeted BIM professionals across the AEC sector in the UK. Barriers to BIM were found to include lack of enthusiasm for potential opportunities for BIM and IPD. Cultural factors which act against BIM and IPD implementation include, willingness to adopt BIM environment, software cost, high-end user maintenance cost. Furthermore, a need was determined for UK government support and encouragement for the use of BIM and IPD for smaller projects. This study recommends that schools take steps to improve career advice and guidance for students in relation to construction, specifically increasing awareness of the opportunities available related to BIM and working professionals to increase awareness of and employment in BIM through training and apprentices as appropriately. Finally, the paper concludes that BIM and IPD should be more widely adopted within AEC industries in the UK to maximise benefits from both systems.

Positive and Ntgative Aspects of Pricing Automation in Digital Marketing

The aim of the article. The relevance of the study is justified by the fact that users of online shopping services are becoming more and more every day and at the same time there is an active spread of online commerce in terms of digital marketing. In the circumstances of the trading company development and the growing number of its outlets, the task of automating pricing, collecting and analyzing information about market prices is becoming increasingly important. Since trade margins vary for different groups of goods, and the final price depends on the input price of the supplier, setting the selling price for the entire range of goods takes a significant amount of time from the management (director or manager) of the company, distracting him from important strategic objectives. Thus, the solution of the problem of pricing automation and definition of its digital aspects will allow to direct valuable time resource on business development, diversification of risks and maintenance of profitability of the enterprise. The purpose of the work is to study the positive and negative aspects of pricing automation in digital marketing. Analyses results. The positive and negative aspects of pricing automation in digital marketing are investigated in the work. The authors disclosed the benefits of implementing a pricing automation system for the management of the enterprise carrying out its business activities in the Internet space: saving time for authorized persons, accelerating the collection, analysis and processing of market prices, setting prices at the enterprise according to established algorithms, minimizing errors during pricing, profit growth, increased motivation. The risks that need to be kept in the mind when implementing any pricing automation systems are highlighted too: the need for refinements in the use of software, the possibility of errors in algorithms, dependence on the software executor, the need to back up data, averaging prices when revaluing goods. There is provided a list and summary of the world's popular software products used to address the research issue: Prisync, Informed, Amazon Repricer from Repricer Express, Skuuudle. The parsing method is considered in detail in the article as one of a popular in the national market. The advantages (automaticity and efficiency, target direction, allocation for processing controversial points of pricing, tracking the dynamics of market prices) and disadvantages (possibility of misreading of algorithms, duration of testing, software cost) of price parsing for Internet retailers are revealed in this work. The novelty of the study lies in the selection of previously unresolved issues of research and application of the process of automation of pricing in the market of IT and Internet retail. Conclusions and directions for further research. Prospects for further exploration should be a more detailed study of pricing automation methods of enterprises operating in the global Internet.

Technology facilitation on inclusive learning; higher education institutions in Sri Lanka

PurposeThe application of technology to higher education is contributing in many ways to create a highly adaptable, inclusive learning environment for all. This study intends to analyze the role of technology facilitation in creating an inclusive learning environment in the higher education institutions (HEIs), which would connect multi-ethnic students and academics effectively in the Sri Lankan context. Therefore, the primary aim of this study is to explore how technology facilitates inclusive learning in HEIs.Design/methodology/approachBased on the qualitative research approach, this study generated data from 30 undergraduates and 10 academics from 5 national universities in Sri Lanka to evaluate the effectiveness of technological facilitation in promoting inclusive learning. The data were then thematically analyzed using NVivo 10.FindingsThe nature of technology facilitation in HEIs and influencing factors such as the internet, search engines, mobile apps and software, cost involved, upgraded knowledge, time efficiency and technological devices. Further, the factors contribute to the HEIs and the benefits realized, such as information gathering, time-saving, cost reduction, information sharing, connective communication, easy learning and online services. On the other hand, challenges such as the involved parties’ resistance to technological change, inadequate infrastructure facilities, lack of technical knowledge, negative perceptions and behaviors, technical failures and health issues will also be assessed.Research limitations/implicationsImplications for policy and practice include a thorough understanding of the nature of technology facilitation in an inclusive environment. The researcher has recommended some strategies and mechanisms to the policymakers that will guide them to use technology as a tool to enhance the inclusive learning practices within HEIs.Originality/valueThis paper presents an original review and it contextualizes the technology facilitations in respect of the inclusive learning environment in HEIs.