Final answer:
The percentage of large software projects that go over cost is approximately 60% to 80%, with option D. 80% being the closest match to reported averages.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question 'What percentage of large software projects go over cost?' relates to statistical aspects of software project management. It's well-documented that a high percentage of software projects do face challenges in staying within budget. Research by The Standish Group in their Chaos Report identified that a significant majority of software projects do go over their projected costs, with a commonly cited figure being around 60% to 80%. Therefore, out of the given options A. 20%, B. 40%, C. 60%, and D. 80%, the answer that most closely aligns with reported averages is D. 80%.