@article{ART003397290},
author={Lee Jisun and Hwang Hyunho and Choi Eunbi},
title={A Study on Improving the Defense Software Development Cost Estimation System},
journal={Journal of Advances in Military Studies},
issn={2635-5531},
year={2026},
volume={9},
number={2},
pages={119-141}
TY - JOUR
AU - Lee Jisun
AU - Hwang Hyunho
AU - Choi Eunbi
TI - A Study on Improving the Defense Software Development Cost Estimation System
JO - Journal of Advances in Military Studies
PY - 2026
VL - 9
IS - 2
PB - Institute of Defense Acquisition Program
SP - 119
EP - 141
SN - 2635-5531
AB - Defense systems increasingly rely on software (SW) and artificial intelligence (AI), yet defense SW development costs continue to be estimated primarily based on labor effort and wage rates, with insufficient consideration of project characteristics and technical complexity. This study examined practitioners’ perceptions of the current cost estimation system and explored potential improvements. Survey items were developed through a preliminary survey of 35 small and medium-sized defense SW firms, followed by a five-point Likert-scale survey of 96 practitioners. All eight identified limitations received mean scores significantly above the neutral midpoint (M = 3.71–4.00, p < .001). Across all 13 cost items, perceived necessity significantly exceeded current levels of cost recognition(d = 0.36–1.33), with the largest gaps (+1.64 to +1.78) observed in maintenance and performance enhancement, AI testing and validation, dataset construction, and model training. AI-related items were perceived as equally necessary as non-AI items but were significantly less reflected in current cost estimates. Respondents also expressed strong support for project-specific adjustments (M =4.12) and five proposed adjustment factors (M = 3.84–4.08). These findings suggest that effort-based estimation should be retained as the baseline while AI development and life-cycle costs are separately identified and project-specific adjustment factors are incorporated. The proposed cost estimation framework remains conceptual and requires further validation using actual project cost data.
KW - Defense Software Development Cost;Software Cost Estimation;AI Development Cost;Life-Cycle Cost;Project-Specific Adjustment Factors
DO -
UR -
ER -
Lee Jisun, Hwang Hyunho and Choi Eunbi. (2026). A Study on Improving the Defense Software Development Cost Estimation System. Journal of Advances in Military Studies, 9(2), 119-141.
Lee Jisun, Hwang Hyunho and Choi Eunbi. 2026, "A Study on Improving the Defense Software Development Cost Estimation System", Journal of Advances in Military Studies, vol.9, no.2 pp.119-141.
Lee Jisun, Hwang Hyunho, Choi Eunbi "A Study on Improving the Defense Software Development Cost Estimation System" Journal of Advances in Military Studies 9.2 pp.119-141 (2026) : 119.
Lee Jisun, Hwang Hyunho, Choi Eunbi. A Study on Improving the Defense Software Development Cost Estimation System. 2026; 9(2), 119-141.
Lee Jisun, Hwang Hyunho and Choi Eunbi. "A Study on Improving the Defense Software Development Cost Estimation System" Journal of Advances in Military Studies 9, no.2 (2026) : 119-141.
Lee Jisun; Hwang Hyunho; Choi Eunbi. A Study on Improving the Defense Software Development Cost Estimation System. Journal of Advances in Military Studies, 9(2), 119-141.
Lee Jisun; Hwang Hyunho; Choi Eunbi. A Study on Improving the Defense Software Development Cost Estimation System. Journal of Advances in Military Studies. 2026; 9(2) 119-141.
Lee Jisun, Hwang Hyunho, Choi Eunbi. A Study on Improving the Defense Software Development Cost Estimation System. 2026; 9(2), 119-141.
Lee Jisun, Hwang Hyunho and Choi Eunbi. "A Study on Improving the Defense Software Development Cost Estimation System" Journal of Advances in Military Studies 9, no.2 (2026) : 119-141.
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Choi Eunbi
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