{"ID":5553583,"CreatedAt":"2026-07-02T01:54:51.863792489Z","UpdatedAt":"2026-07-03T01:40:09.565152011Z","DeletedAt":null,"paper_url":"https://arxiv.org/abs/2607.00054","arxiv_id":"2607.00054","title":"A Quantitative Framework for Estimating System Complexity and Cost via Component Interface Analysis","abstract":"This paper introduces a formal modeling framework designed to estimate the complexity and cost associated with system changes induced by external requirements. We model a system as a directed graph of couplings, capturing the intricate dependencies and information flows between components and elements within a specific context. The proposed method enables the estimation of bounded change complexity through component interfaces, even when internal logic remains opaque. Additionally, the framework provides a mechanism for bounding the cost of system-wide modifications by associating external drivers and cost factors with individual system elements. We propose a multi-view approach to the model, providing graphical, algebraic, and tabular representations to suit different levels of abstraction and computational needs. By bridging the gap between component-based modeling and project cost estimation, our method provides actionable insights for architecture design, software engineering, and lifecycle operations. The model is validated through a case study involving the integration of a large-scale retail banking platform.","short_abstract":"This paper introduces a formal modeling framework designed to estimate the complexity and cost associated with system changes induced by external requirements. We model a system as a directed graph of couplings, capturing the intricate dependencies and information flows between components and elements within a specific...","url_abs":"https://arxiv.org/abs/2607.00054","url_pdf":"https://arxiv.org/pdf/2607.00054v1","authors":"[\"Ken Y. Chan\"]","published":"2026-06-30T01:52:28Z","proceeding":"cs.SE","tasks":"[\"cs.SE\"]","methods":"[]","has_code":false}