1. A method to predict performance of a software project, comprising: a) determining, using a computer, performance estimates associated with at least one design count, the design count comprising at least one function point count; b) collecting actual performance data; c) comparing the performance estimates with the actual performance data; d) determining, using the computer, new performance estimates for a remainder of the software project in response to the actual performance data collected; and e) refining a design of the software project based on the new performance estimates.