The use case point method is used to estimate the___________cost of a system?

The use case point method is a technique primarily employed for estimating the software cost of a system. It is based on the analysis of use cases within a system, which serve as a means to clearly define the functional requirements. The method quantifies these requirements and assigns weights to various actors and use cases, facilitating a more structured estimation process.

By calculating the use case points, developers and project managers can derive a more accurate estimation of the effort required for software development, which then translates into cost estimations. This method is particularly useful in agile and iterative development environments where understanding the functional complexity is crucial for resource allocation and budgeting. Thus, focusing on estimating software costs aligns directly with the purpose of the use case point method.