Title: Identifying factors for evaluating software project proposals

Authors: Faith-Michael E. Uzoka; Boluwaji A. Akinnuwesi; Nuga Oluwole; Adebayo F. Adekoya; Oluwadamilola Y. Egbekunle

Addresses: Department of Mathematics and Computing, Mount Royal University, Calgary, Canada ' Department of Computer Science, Lagos State University, Ojo, Lagos State, Nigeria ' Department of Physical Sciences, Bells University of Technology, Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria ' Department of Computer Science, Lagos State University, Ojo, Lagos State, Nigeria ' Department of Information Technology, Bells University of Technology, Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria

Abstract: One vital aspect of software project management is the initial evaluation of project proposals. Many authors have proposed varying sets of criteria for information technology (IT) software project evaluation. There is the need to develop a common framework for evaluating software projects, based on a manageable set of criteria. In this paper, we identified 83 software project proposal evaluation variables from literature and direct interviews with project evaluators; 31 variables were extracted under ten constructs using exploratory factor analysis. Product characteristics, user characteristics and vendor experience were found to be very crucial in software project proposal evaluation. The parameters identified in this work could serve as a basis for the development of a software system for evaluating software project proposals.

Keywords: information technology; software projects; project proposals; measurement variables; client-centred; vendor experience; project evaluation; software development; software project management; exploratory factor analysis; product characteristics; user characteristics.

DOI: 10.1504/IJQET.2016.081615

International Journal of Quality Engineering and Technology, 2016 Vol.6 No.1/2, pp.93 - 114

Received: 05 Jul 2015
Accepted: 18 Nov 2015
Published online: 18 Jan 2017 *

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