Using use case patterns to estimate reusability in software systems

The applicability of using use case patterns as a basis for software cost estimation in the early stages of software development is described. This required the construction of a use case patterns catalogue using a novel process. The catalogue has been analysed to estimate the potential reusability in different software applications. This has shown that 43% of system functions are generally application domain independent, whereas 57% are application domain dependent. Statistical tests showed that the level of specialisation in software systems could be as low as 20%, which supports the direction taken in this research to build a use case patterns catalogue as a basis for the development of use case based software cost estimation models.