Software Reuse Cost Factors

Software organizations are encouraged to adopt reuse strategies into their development processes. Organizations use software reuse cost estimation models to assess the feasibility of investment in reuse programs. Each organization is unique in its resources and capabilities. Thus, the initial logical step in establishing a reuse program is to examine relevant reuse-specific cost factors applicable to the organization’s situation, and then utilize relevant estimation models to assess the feasibility of such investment. This work investigates cost factors associated with adopting software reuse independent of cost estimation models. It highlights cost estimation models for software reuse, and outlines possible combinations of cost estimation models for identified cost factors to help organizations gain better understanding of the investment in reuse strategies.