Georgian Electronic Scientific Journal: Computer Science and Telecommunications 2009|No.3(20) 102 Where are we? A Review of Effort and Cost Estimation Techniques used for Web Applications Lenandlar Singh 1 1 Lecturer, Department of Computer Science, University of Guyana, Guyana, South America Abstract The rapid growth of the World Wide Web(WWW) and the growing demand for web sites and web applications to compliment and even replace business processes have witnessed an equally rapid growth in the number of companies offering web development solutions. A reliable effort and cost estimation approach can help companies bid and compete for web development projects and more importantly, assist in timely and within budget development of projects undertaken. This paper examines the literature on Effort and Cost Estimation Techniques for both Web Applications and Traditional Software Applications and the effort and cost estimation techniques used. It attempts to argue that web applications have inherent differences compared to traditional software applications to merit customised estimation approaches from traditional software effort estimation through. However, we suggest some areas where web applications may have converging characteristics to traditional software applications and that the techniques used currently in traditional software estimation may be useful to explore for web application estimation. This paper concludes by suggesting some recommendations for consideration. Keywords: Effort Estimation, Cost Estimation, Web Applications, Review 1. Introduction Earliest evidence on research conducted to derive effort and cost estimations required to develop software applications dates back to the early 1960s [1]. Ever since there have been a proliferation of methods and techniques, together with a wide range of technologies, processes, experienced software developers and the range of medium through which these applications are deployed. The World Wide Web is one such new invention. Over the last 10 years the WWW has witnessed an enormous growth in the amount, size and type of web sites and web applications available to users worldwide. This growth coincides with the number of users and customers demand for such resources, the rapid growth and increasing capability of technologies available and a growing skills base available to develop the websites and web applications to supply this growing need. Additionally, there is a rapid increase in the number of companies that are providing web sites and web application development services. 1 http://www.cs.auckland.ac.nz/compsci702s1c/lectures/emilia/chapter%201%20final.pdf A reliable effort and cost estimation method and strategy are important for companies in general and project managers specifically to bid for and complete projects with time and budget [2] points out that an ‘effort estimation is a critical activity for planning and monitoring software project development and for delivering the project within time and budget’. They further state that a ‘reliable effort estimation is crucial for a successful web application development planning. This is no different for web application development as suggested by [3]. A number of different approaches have been used over the years and many different tools were developed to help the estimation process.