PK0-005 Parametric estimation Practice Question
A project manager is estimating the cost of a new software development project. They use historical data from a similar project to derive the cost per function point and multiply it by the expected number of function points. Which estimation technique is being used?
⚠ Common exam trap
PK0-005 often tests the confusion between parametric and analogous estimation; candidates may pick analogous because both use historical data, but parametric uses a formula with parameters.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Parametric estimation
Parametric estimation uses historical data and statistical relationships between variables to calculate cost. Here, the project manager uses cost per function point from a similar project and multiplies by the expected number of function points, which is a classic parametric approach.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
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Bottom-up estimation
Why it's wrong here
Bottom-up estimation sums detailed work-package or component estimates into a total; it does not apply a historical per-function-point rate. It is tempting because it is also a cost-estimation technique, but bottom-up is correct when a detailed WBS exists and component-level accuracy is required.
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Three-point estimation
Why it's wrong here
Three-point estimation derives a weighted average from optimistic, pessimistic and most likely values; it uses no historical cost-per-function-point data. It is tempting because both are quantitative techniques, but three-point estimation is correct when the requirement is expressing estimate uncertainty through a PERT-style distribution.
- ✓
Parametric estimation
Why this is correct
Parametric estimation uses a statistical relationship between historical data and project variables, here cost per function point multiplied by expected function points. This satisfies the stem's constraint of deriving cost from a measurable unit rate, rather than expert judgement or bottom-up aggregation of individual work packages.
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Analogous estimation
Why it's wrong here
Analogous estimation scales a whole prior project's cost by overall similarity; it does not derive a rate per unit. The described method is parametric estimation, which multiplies a known cost per function point by the expected count.
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Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official CompTIA exam blueprint
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