Software Sizing, Estimation, and Risk Management: When Performance is Measured Performance Improves
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Summary
To achieve consistent software project success under the pressures of today's software development environment, software organizations require achievable plans including viable estimates of schedule, resources, and risks. To estimate realistically, you must understand how to apply sound estimation processes, tools, and data.
Software Sizing, Estimation, and Risk Management: When Performance is Measured Performance Improves is a practical, hands-on discussion of the software estimation, planning, and control process. This includes critical factors that impact estimates, methods for selecting and applying appropriate measures to projects, proper software sizing, and processes to identify and manage risk. The authors use their expertise in sizing, estimation, process engineering, and risk management to clearly demonstrate problems that make many estimates crumble and solutions that provide successful project plans. The book offers insight not available anywhere else, enabling you to recognize and avoid downstream impacts resulting from poor estimates.
Table of Contents
The Problem
Introduction
Focus of the Book
Why Software Projects Fail
Why Software Projects Fail: Problems with Estimation
Why Software Projects Fail: Size Estimates
Why Estimates Fail
Historical Data
Overly Optimistic Leadership and Management
Role of Risk Management in Estimating
The Solution: Software Estimation - Ten-Step Process
Introduction to Software Estimation Techniques and
Estimate Planning
Introduction and Chapter Goals
Need for Efficient Software Project Management Metrics
Core Metrics Categories
Software Project Estimates: Foundations of Software Project
Management
Software Estimation Concepts
Project Estimation Process
Interview with Judy Galorath
Software Data Collection Process
Software Data Collection Lessons Learned
Prioritizing Estimation Effort
Executing the Estimate
Introduction and Chapter Goal
Step Four: Software Sizing
Step Five: Prepare Baseline Estimate
Step Six: Quantify Risks and Risk Analysis
Planning and
Controlling the Project via the Estimate
Introduction
Step Seven: Estimate Validation and Review
Estimate Process Questionnaire
Step Eight: Generate Project Plan
Step Nine: Document Estimate and Lessons Learned
Step Ten: Track Project throughout Development
Refining Estimates throughout Project
Source Lines of Code
Introduction
Terminology and Definitions
SLOC Realities and Risks
Using SLOC
Logical SLOC Counting Details
Logical SLOC Detailed Definitions
Finding Automated Code Counters for Existing Systems
Pros and Cons of SLOC
Summary
SEI Checklist
Codes for Various Programming Languages
Function-Based Sizing
Introduction
Origins and History of Functional Metrics
ISO Involvement
International Function Point User Group Counting Standards: Basic
Process Definition
IFPUG Definitions
IFPUG Steps
SEER-Function-Based Sizing (SEER-FBS)
Effective Function Points
Analysis of Function Point Rules in Tree-Based Framework23
Pros and Cons of Function Points
Function Point Risk Management
Function Point Counting Risk Checklist
Object-Oriented Sizing: Object and Use-Case Sizing
Introduction
Background of Object-Oriented Design
Overview of Object-Oriented Techniques
Calculation of Unadjusted Use-Case Points
Risk Associated with Object-Oriented Projects
Software Reuse and Commercial Off-the-Shelf Software
Introduction
Reusable Software
Integrating Commercial Off-the-Shelf Software
Case Studies: Real-World Experiences with COTS
Evaluating and Estimating COTS
Estimating COTS Integration
Evaluation and Selection of COTS Products
COTS Risks
Risk Reduction
Risks Associated with Reuse and COTS
Performing to Estimate: Managing and Monitoring
Development
Introduction
Metric Reporting
Metrics Sets
Productivity Monitoring
Using Earned Value Management
Risk Management Process
Introduction
History of Risk Management
Risks versus Problems
Risk Management Success Factors
Essential Risk Management Definitions
Introduction to Risk Management Concepts
Seven Steps to Risk Management
Step 1: Establish Risk Policy, Obtain Commitment to Manage Risk,
and Develop Plan
Basic Risk Management Rules
Risk Analysis Viewed as Uncertainty Analysis
Applying SEER-SEM to Estimation Processes
Introduction to SEER-SEM Project Manager Edition Tools
Details and Uses
Summary Input and Output Definitions
SEER-SEM Concept
SEER-SEM Sizing
Applying SEER-SEM Project Manager Edition to the Estimation Process
Manual Sizing
Automated Sizing with SEER-AccuScope
Choosing Knowledge Bases for Reuse Estimation
Using SEER Function-Based Sizing for Size Estimates
Using Number of Programs Included in Size
SEER-SEM Estimation Process Step 10: Track Project
SEER-SEM Internals
SEER-SEM Parameter Definitions
SEER-SEM Solutions for Project Management and Control
Introduction
CMMI Process Areas for Project Management
Implementing Planning and Control Process with SEER-PPMC
Earned Value Metrics and Calculations Used in SEER-PPMC
Editorial Reviews
"The authors have done a good job explaining different processes that may be unfamiliar to the reader . . . The authors’ strive in this book is to guide us towards a repeatable process for developing and validating our software project estimates, taking into account the risks involved so that we can accurately size both the project and software deliverables. If we follow the steps outlined in this book, we are surely setting ourselves up for success."
– Cathy Bell, in Stickyminds.com, Nov 2008
" … shows how to use your estimation and project tracking data to improve your estimation accuracy and to identify the best investments for improving your software productivity and cycle time. Investing in acquiring this book and following its advice is highly likely to provide you with a robust return on your investment."
-- Barry Boehm, Director of the Center for Software Engineering, University of Southern California, from the Foreword
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