Recommends an approach to improving the utility and accuracy of software cost estimates by exposing uncertainty (in understanding the project) and reducing the risks associated with developing the estimates. The approach focuses on characteristics of the estimation process (such as which methods and models are most appropriate for a given situation) and the nature of the data used (such as software size), describing symptoms and warning signs of risk in each factor, and risk-mitigation strategies.

Across a wide variety of endeavors, failure to anticipate disaster has been ascribed to the inability to "connect the dots." But to "connect the dots," one must first "collect the dots." The authors investigate the barriers to circulating important information and describes approaches for bringing information together in a meaningful way and describe a formal process for collecting the dots.