Chapter 13Parametric Models

This chapter describes the essential features of parametric models. It provides examples that show their utility for handling constraints and analyzing tradeoffs. It identifies popular models. It briefly discusses calibration. (Chapter 27, “Ranking and Selecting Items,” provides a deeper discussion.) It concludes with advice on how to obtain good values for the input parameter from people who are not expert estimators.

13.1 Types of Parametric Models

Parametric models use algorithms and user-specified values for various parameters to produce estimates of quantities. An algorithm is a set of steps to compute some value. These steps often use mathematical functions, values selected or interpolated from values in tables, ...

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