Software Engineering

Table 4.2 
Computational Intricacy Complexity Measure Descriptions
Name
Description
Measure
Computational  
intricacy
The overall challenge imposed by the software product requirements concerning the technical 
implementation in terms of algorithmic efficiency, performance, resource utilization, and other 
estblished measures of performance.
Parameters
Unprecedented (U)
The number of requirements that characterize a data processing challenge for which no prior 
solution is known.
Complicated (C)
The number of requirements that characterize a data processing challenge for which the solution 
is understood, but the implementation of which may not be satisfactorily realized.
Demanding (D)
The number of requirements that characterize a data processing challenge for which the solution 
may be inadequately supported by computer and software technology.
Moderate (M)
The number of requirements that characterize a data processing challenge for which a solution 
is known and the implementation is relatively undemanding.
Example
Method of calculation
Each requirement is categorized based on the perceived level of difficulty to be satisfied effectively 
and efficiently given the availability of software technology, programming language constraints, 
and the level of experience and skills inherent with the software implementation team. Each 
requirement is evaluated by subject matter experts to assign an intricacy rating (10 for extensive; 
7 for excessive; 4 for significant and 1 for moderate) and the overall collaboration complexity 
rating is computed by summing the rating for each category. The intricacy rating is then divided 
by the total number of requirements to derive the computational intricacy measure of complexity.
Formula
(
(
( )
( )
( ))
10
7
4
U)
C
D
M /
Total no. of requirements
For this example problem, assume that the software requirement involves the following 
parametrics involving architectural and implementation challenges:
U 
=
 1 requirement implies an unprecedented challenge to deriving an acceptable solution.
C 
=
 4 requirements imply a complicated challenge to deriving an acceptable solution.
D 
=
 7 requirements imply a demanding challenge to deriving an acceptable solution.
M 
=
 38 requirements imply a moderate challenge to deriving an acceptable solution.
This example of computational intricacy identifies a 
moderately
 complex software solution
Complexity levels
Extremely complex: 
>
5
Very complex: between 4 and 4.999
Highly complex: between 3 and 3.999
Moderately complex: between 2 and 2.999
Routine complexity: between 1 and 1.999
(
)
(
)
(
)
(
)
10
1
7
4
4
7
38
104
1 4
7
=
Total no. of  requirements
38
50
104 50
2 08
=
/
.

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