How to control the costs of client/server developments

The most fundamental factor determining the development costs of client/server application systems is the size of the system in terms of the number of requirements and their technical complexity. It follows that the most basic way of controlling costs is to control the number and scope of business and technical requirements. Beyond this basic control, there any many other factors which affect the cost of development. These can be divided into two groups: managerial and resource factors. This paper describes these factors and suggests measures both to control costs and to reduce them through improved productivity. This paper is based on experience gained in the development of a client/server management information system for the railway industry.