AI-based Cost Estimation Software: Sentiments Towards and Challenges in IT Project Management

Sammanfattning

An Artificial Intelligence (AI) boom is observed, related to AI becoming popular and part of everyday life. Many researchers are looking for new ways to successfully adapt AI, which can bring many financial advantages for many companies. As of now, despite AI being widely used in different fields, including construction or accounting, there are not many proofs of the successful adaptation of AI to meet the needs of Information Technology (IT) project management. Efforts in this direction are ongoing. The research question for this thesis was “What are the sentiments and challenges among IT managers when switching to AI concerning cost estimation in project management?”. As a research strategy, a case study is conducted to find the sentiments and challenges when applying AI in cost estimate techniques in IT software through using interviews as data collection and thematic mapping as data analysis methods. The research was conducted using a case study as a research strategy. Due to the nature of the research problem and question, data was collected via interviews. The qualitative method of thematic mapping was used when considering the data analysis method, focusing on the sentiments and challenges of applying AI cost estimation software in IT project management lifecycles as well as limitations and risks. The sentiments thematic map was obtained through three sub-maps, highlighting the sentiments towards the evaluation of AI models, opportunities, and accuracy. AI is perceived by the participants as a useful tool to support cost estimation software and overall benefits outperform challenges when considering the implementation of AI in organisations.