An Estimation Model for the Savings Achievable by Tool Chains

Tool chains are sought after by industry due to their promise to improve the productivity of software development by reducing costs. Despite these promises, there are few attempts to quantify costs and productivity improvements achievable with a tool chain. The decision for or against realizing a tool chain design requires a quantitative analysis of the economic benefits achievable with a tool chain. We apply the COCOMO model for cost estimation to create a quantitative model for predicting the cost-savings of tool chains. The cost-savings model can provide support for practitioners and decision makers when facing the decision to create a new tool chain.