Sample Cost/Benefit Analysis of adding Human Factors Tasks to a Software Development Project Adapted from: Mantei, Marilyn M. and Teorey, Toby J., “ Cost/Benefit for Incorporating Human factors in the Software lifecycle”, ACM Communications, April 1988, Vol. 31 No. 4, pp

Cost 1. Human factors Lab Set Up Lab design and equipment selection: 160 $35/hour $5,600 Carpenters and electricians 80 $25/hour $2,000 Video cameras, VCRs, one way mirror $12,400 TOTAL : $20,000

Cost 2. User Interviews 10 interviews for 1 $25/hour $ 250 $35/hour: 16 hours designing interview 10 hours conducting interview 28 hours analysis results $ 1,890 3 support 5 hours $15/hour $ 225 Videotapes: $ 60 TOTAL: $ 2,425

Cost 3. User Surveys / Questionnaires Development of survey: 40 $35/hour $1,400 Pilot testing: 40 $35/hour $1,400 Distribution and collection: 20 $15/hr $ 300 Responding: 80 users for ½ $25/hour $1,000 Coding and entering data: 20 $35/hour $ 100 Analyzing results: 40 $35/hour $1,400 Computer time $ 100 Supplies and duplicating costs $ 100 TOTAL: $6,000

Cost 4. Usage Study, Simulation or Prototype test Development of survey: 40 $35/hour $1,400 Pilot testing: 40 $35/hour $1,400 Running Test: 40 $35/hour $1,400 Subjects: 2 $25/hour $ 500 Analyzing results: 40 $35/hour $1,400 Videotapes: $ 120 TOTAL: $6,220

Cost 5. Style Guide Author: 240 $35/hour$8,400 Committee: $35/hour$8,400 TOTAL:$16,800

Cost 6. Purchasing of UIMS Reviewing packages: 160 $35/hour$5,600 Cost of average package:$10,000 TOTAL:$15,600

Cost 7. Prototype Construction ( does not include design ) Screen Layouts: 80 $35/hour$2,800 Screen Transitions: 80 $35/hours$2,800 TOTAL:$5,600

Cost 8. Prototype Change in Response To Testing Screen Layouts: 4 $35/hour$140 Screen Transitions: 4 $35/hours$140 TOTAL:$280

Benefit 1. Decreased Training Typical 1 week training course reduced by 25% or 10 hours 250 users Hourly rate of $ employees * 10 hours * $25 = $62,500 in first yr TOTAL:$62,500

Benefit 2. Decreased Errors 250 Users 1.5 errors eliminated per user per day 230 work days per year 2 minutes in recovery time per error Hourly rate of $ Users * 1.5 errors * 230 days * $0.833/error = $71,846 per year TOTAL:$71,846

Benefit 3. Increased productivity 250 Users 60 screens per day 230 days per year Processing time per screen reduced by 1 second Hourly rate of $ Users * 60 Screens * 230 days * 1/3600 hrs * $25 = $23,958 per yr TOTAL: $23,958

Benefit 4. Decreased Late Design Changes Changes made early cost ¼ of changes made after implementation 20 changes made early 1 day per change Hourly rate of $35 Early change cost = 20 changes * 8 hrs * $35 = $5,600 Late Change cost = 4 * early change cost = $5,600 Savings = Late change cost – early change cost = 16,800 in first yr TOTAL:$16,800

Conclusions Costs = 20, , , , , , , = $72,925 Benefits = 62, , , ,800 = $ 175,104 Savings of 102,179