Software Assessments, Benchmarks, and Best Practices
Capers Jones, Burlington, Vermont

ISBN-10: 0201485427
ISBN-13: 9780201485424

Publisher: Addison-Wesley Professional
Copyright: 2000
Format: Paper; 688 pp
Published: 05/01/2000

Suggested retail price: $54.99
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Traditionally, qualitative software assessments and quantitative benchmarking have been performed separately -- if at all. Moreover, many quantitative benchmarks have been proprietary secrets. Now, world-renowned authority Capers Jones has integrated qualitative and quantitative approaches into the first complete methodology for identifying best -- and worst -- software development practices.KEY TOPICS:Readers will discover more effective ways to leverage assessment techniques such as the Capability Maturity Model (CMM); learn the best benchmarks and metrics; and link quantitative benchmarks to qualitative assessments. The methodology presented in this book gives developers and managers a powerful new way to project and evaluate the productivity and quality improvements associated with changes in software processes. The result: better quality, achieved more quickly and at lower cost.MARKET:For all IT managers, project managers, IT analysts and developers concerned with software quality and productivity.

Which software practices work best -- and worst? A complete methodology for finding out, once and for all!

  • By Capers Jones, the internationally recognized authority on software productivity and measurement.
  • Qualitative and quantitative software measurement techniques, integrated for the first time.
  • Essential reading for every manager, professional, and user concerned about software quality.



Preface.


Acknowledgments.


1. Introduction.

Protecting and Comparing Confidential Data.

International Country and City Codes.

Using Standard Industry Classifications (SICs) for Software Studies.

A Taxonomy of Software Projects for Benchmark and Assessment Studies.



2. Software Process Assessments.

The Origins of Software Process Assessments.

The SEI Assessment Approach.

The SPR Assessment Approach.

Pattern of Client Strengths.

Pattern of Average Results.

Correlating the SEI and SPR Scoring Systems.

Readings and References on Software Assessments.



3. Software Benchmarks and Baselines.

Benchmarks and the Problem of Size Metrics.

Benchmarketing Software Costs.

Hazards of Using Project-Level Data for Software Benchmark Studies.

Hazards of Mailed Surveys for Software Benchmark Studies.

Moving to Activity-Based Software Benchmark Data.

Software Quality Benchmarks.

Software Baselines.

Readings and References on Software Benchmarks and Baselines.



4. Thirty-Six Key Factors for Software Assessment and Benchmark Studies.

Software Classification Factors.

Project-Specific Factors.

Technology Factors.

Sociological Factors.

Ergonomic Factors.

International Factors.

Readings and References on Factor Analysis.



5. Identifying Software Best and Worst Practices.

Factors that Influence Software Development Productivity.

Factors that Influence Software Maintenance Productivity.

Patterns of Positive and Negative Factors.

Readings and References on Software Best and Worst Practices.



6. Software Process Improvements.

Annual Tactical and Strategic Software Improvement Plans.

Annual Software Progress Report.

The Six Stages on the Path to Software Excellence.

Stage 0: Software Process Assessment, Baseline, and Benchmarks.

Stage 1: Focus on Management Technologies.

Stage 2: Focus on Software Processes and Methodologies.

Stage 3: Focus on New Tools and Approaches.

Stage 4: Focus on Infrastructure and Specialization.

Stage 5: Focus on Reusability.

Stage 6: Focus on Industry Leadership.

The Costs, Timing, and Value of Process Improvements.

Readings and References on Software Process Improvements.



7. Benchmarks And Best Practices For Mis Software Projects.

MIS Applications and Corporate Databases.

Lack of Data Metrics.

MIS and Enterprise Resource Planning.

MIS Applications, the Euro, and the Year 2000.

MIS Technologies.

Diverse Origins of Information Systems and Systems Software.

MIS Demographics.

MIS Benchmarks.

MIS Software Successes and Failures.

MIS Success Factors.

MIS Failure Factors.

Best Technical Practices for MIS Software.

Best Project Management Practices for MIS Software.

Best Requirements-Gathering and Analysis Practices for MIS Software.

Best Design and Specification Practices for MIS Software.

Best Coding Practices for MIS Software.

Best Reusability Practices for MIS Software.

Best Change Control Practices for MIS Software.

Best User Documentation Practices for MIS Software.

Best Quality Control and Pretest Defect Removal Practices for MIS Software.

Best Testing Practices and Tools for MIS Software.

Best Maintenance and Enhancement Practices for MIS Software.

Best Personnel Practices for MIS Software.

Best Staff Hiring Practices for MIS Software.

Best Staff Training and Education Practices for MIS Software.

Best Management Training and Education Practices for MIS Software.

Best Practices for Specialization in the MIS Software Domain.

Best Compensation and Salary Practices for MIS Software.

Best Practices in Office Ergonomics for MIS Software.

Best Practices in Organizational Structures for MIS Software.

Best Practices for Employee Morale in MIS Software.

Best Work Patterns and Overtime Utilization Practices for MIS Software.

Best Practices for Minimizing MIS Staff Turnover Rates.

Summary and Conclusions on MIS Software.

Readings and References for MIS Software.



8. Benchmarks and Best Practices for Outsourced Software.

The Growth of International Outsourcing.

Choosing Outsourcing or In-house Development.

Minimizing the Risks of Disputes Between Outsource Contractors and Their Clients.

Outsourcing Technologies.

Outsource Demographics.

Outsource Benchmarks.

Outsourcing Successes and Failures.

Outsourcing and Contract Software Success Factors.

Outsourcing and Contract Software Failure Factors.

Best Technical Practices for Outsourced Software.

Best Project Management Practices for Outsourced Software.

Best Requirements-Gathering and Analysis Practices for Outsourced Software.

Best Design and Specification Practices for Outsourced Software.

Best Coding Practices for Outsourced Software.

Best Reusability Practices for Outsourced Software.

Best Change Control Practices for Outsourced Software.

Best User Documentation Practices for Outsourced Software.

Best Quality Control and Pretest Defect Removal Practices for Outsourced Software.

Best Testing Practices and Tools for Outsourced Software.

Best Personnel Practices for Outsourced Software.

Best Staff Hiring Practices for Outsourced Software.

Best Staff Training and Education Practices for Outsourced Software.

Best Management Training and Education Practices for Outsourced Software.

Best Practices for Specialization in the Outsource Software Domain.

Best Compensation and Salary Practices for Outsourced Software.

Best Practices in Office Ergonomics for Outsourced Software.

Best Practices in Organizational Structures for Outsourced Software.

Best Practices for Employee Morale Among Outsource Vendors.

Best Work Patterns and Overtime Utilization for Outsourced Software.

Best Practices for Minimizing Outsourcing Staff Turnover Rates.

Summary and Conclusions on Outsourced Software.

Readings and References for Outsourced Software



9. Benchmarks and Best Practices for Systems Software.

Systems Software Demographics.

Systems Software Benchmarks.

Systems Software Successes and Failures.

Systems Software Success Factors.

Systems Software Failure Factors.

Best Technical Practices for Systems Software.

Best Project Management Practices for Systems Software.

Best Requirements-Gathering and Analysis Practices for Systems Software.

Best Design and Specification Practices for Systems Software.

Best Coding Practices for Systems Software.

Best Reusability Practices for Systems Software.

Best Change Control Practices for Systems Software.

Best User Documentation Practices for Systems Software.

Best Quality Control and Pretest Defect Removal Practices for Systems Software.

Best Testing Practices and Tools for Systems Software.

Best Maintenance and Enhancement Practices for Systems Software.

Best Personnel Practices for Systems Software.

Best Staff Hiring Practices for Systems Software.

Best Staff Training and Education Practices for Systems Software.

Best Management Training and Education Practices for Systems Software.

Best Practices in Office Ergonomics for Systems Software.

Best Practices in Organizational Structures for Systems Software.

Best Practices for Employee Morale in Systems Software.

Best Work Patterns and Overtime Utilization for Systems Software.

Best Practices for Minimizing Staff Turnover Rates.

Summary and Conclusions on Systems Software.

Readings and References for Systems Software.



10. Benchmarks and Best Practices for Commercial Software.

Special Issues and Technologies for Commercial Software.

Commercial Software Demographics.

Commercial Software Benchmarks.

Commercial Software Successes and Failures.

Commercial Software Success Factors.

Commercial Software Failure Factors.

The Microsoft Pattern.

The Emergence of the ISO 9000-9004 Standards.

Best Technical Practices for Commercial Software.

Best Project Management Practices for Commercial Software.

Best Requirements-Gathering and Analysis Practices for Commercial Software.

Best Design and Specification Practices for Commercial Software.

Best Coding Practices for Commercial Software.

Best Reusability Practices for Commercial Software.

Best Change Control Practices for Commercial Software.

Best User Documentation Practices for Commercial Software.

Best Quality Control and Pretest Defect Removal Practices for Commercial Software.

Best Testing Practices and Tools for Commercial Software.

Best Maintenance and Enhancement Practices for Commercial Software.

Best Personnel Practices for Commercial Software.

Best Staff Hiring Practices for Commercial Software.

Best Staff Training and Education Practices for Commercial Software.

Best Management Training and Education Practices for Commercial Software.

Best Practices for Specialization in the Commercial Software Domain.

Best Compensation and Salary Practices for Commercial Software.

Best Practices in Office Ergonomics for Commercial Software.

Best Practices in Organizational Structures for Commercial Software.

Best Practices in Employee Morale in Commercial Software.

Best Work Patterns and Overtime Utilization for Commercial Software.

Best Practices for Minimizing Staff Turnover Rates in the Commercial Software Domain.

Summary and Conclusions Commercial Software.

Readings and References for Commercial Software.



11. Benchmarks and Best Practices for Military Software.

Military Software Technologies and Special Problems.

The Software Engineering Institute.

The Airlie Council.

Military Software Demographics.

Military Software Benchmarks.

Military Software Successes and Failures.

Military Software Success Factors.

Military Software Failure Factors.

Best Technical Practices for Military Software.

Best Project Management Practices for Military Software.

Best Requirements-Gathering and Analysis Practices for Military Software.

Best Design and Specification Practices for Military Software.

Best Coding Practices for Military Software.

Best Reusability Practices for Military Software.

Best Change Control Practices for Military Software.

Best User Documentation Practices for Military Software.

Best Quality Control and Pretest Defect Removal Practices for Military Software.

Best Testing Practices and Tools for Military Software.

Best Maintenance and Enhancement Practices for Military Software.

Best Personnel Practices for Military Software.

Best Staff Hiring Practices for Military Software.

Best Staff Training and Education Practices for Military Software.

Best Management Training and Education Practices for Military Software.

Best Practices for Specialization in the Military Software Domain.

Best Compensation and Salary Practices for Military Software.

Best Practices in Office Ergonomics for Military Software.

Best Practices in Organizational Structures for Military Software.

Best Practices in Employee Morale in Military Software.

Best Work Patterns and Overtime Utilization for Military Software.

Best Practices for Minimizing Military Staff Turnover Rates.

Summary and Conclusions on Military Software.

Readings and References for Military Software.



12. Benchmarks and Best Practices for End User Software.

End User Software Demographics.

End User Benchmarks.

End User Software Successes and Failures.

End User Software Success Factors.

End User Software Failure Factors.

Best Technical Practices for End User Software.

Best Personnel Practices for End User Software.

Readings and References for End User Software.



Appendix: SPR Questionnaire for Assessments, Benchmarks, and Baselines, and Appendix Glossary.


Complete List of Readings and References.


Index. 0201485427T04062001

Capers Jones is a leading author and speaker on software productivity and measurement as well as the acknowledged expert on the economic impact of the year 2000 software problem. He is a frequent speaker at software engineering conferences. Formerly a senior researcher at IBM's Santa Teresa software laboratory and Assistant Director of Applied Technology at the ITT Programming Technology Center, Jones is Chairman and Founder of Software Productivity Research. He is also a member of IEEE Computer Society and the International Function Point Users Group (IFPUG).

0201485427AB04062001

Billions of dollars are wasted each year on IT software projects that are developed and either released late or never used. In light of recent large-scale errors, the methods, tools, and practices used for software development have become the subject of significant study and analysis. One qualitative method for analysis is software assessment, which explores the methodologies used by businesses for software development. Another method of analysis is software benchmarking, which collects quantitative data on such topics as schedules and costs.

Renowned author Capers Jones draws on his extensive experience in economic analysis to present Software Assessments, Benchmarks, and Best Practices, a useful combination of qualitative and quantitative approaches to software development analysis. When assessment data and benchmarking data are analyzed jointly, it is possible to show how specific tools and practices impact the effectiveness of an organization's development efforts. The result is a clearer, bigger picture--a roadmap that allows an organization to identify areas for improvement in its development efforts.

With this book as your guide, you will learn:

  • To combine assessments and benchmarking for optimal software analysis
  • To identify best and worst practices for software development
  • To improve software quality and application effectiveness
  • To reduce costs of software maintenance by avoiding software errors


0201485427B04062001

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