Parametric software effort estimation models usually consists of only a single mathematical relationship. With the advent
of software repositories containing data from heterogeneous projects, these types of models suffer from poor adjustment and
predictive accuracy. One possible way to alleviate this problem is the use of a set of mathematical equations obtained through
dividing of the historical project datasets according to different parameters into subdatasets called partitions. In turn,
partitions are divided into clusters that serve as a tool for more accurate models. In this paper, we describe the process,
tool and results of such approach through a case study using a publicly available repository, ISBSG. Results suggest the adequacy
of the technique as an extension of existing single-expression models without making the estimation process much more complex
that uses a single estimation model. A tool to support the process is also presented.
Keywords software engineering - software measurement - effort estimation - clustering
This work is supported by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Technology under Grant No. CICYT TIN2004-06689-C03.