Concurrent Sessions for WEDNESDAY, FEB. 13

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 13, 10:15 AM    Go to 11:30 AM    Go to 2:00 PM

W4   Getting Started Software Sizing: There is an Easier Way David Herron, The David Consulting Group Project managers and software engineers need to accurately calculate delivery dates and resource needs for their software. This means they have to measure the size of the requirement, and estimate how much it will require in time and expense. But is there a sizing technique that’s both effective and efficient? Popular sizing techniques such as the function point method can be difficult and labor intensive. However, there are alternative methods that produce quicker results, often without compromising accuracy. This presentation shares new ways to determine the size of your software deliverable while maintaining accuracy. • Learn alternatives to function point sizing • Get accurate size estimates without investing too much of your time • Identify the cost and benefit tradeoffs inherent in different sizing techniques

W5   Improving Solid Software: Is It Rocket Science? Shari Lawrence Pfleeger, Systems/Software, Inc. While we can’t guarantee that our software will never fail, we can take serious steps to reduce the risk. The toughest kind of system to build involves safety-critical software where the reliability requirements are extremely strict — and whose failure puts lives in jeopardy. Shari Lawrence Pfleeger looks at what “solid software” means, and explores ways we can achieve it. She examines solid software within the context of the proposed National Missile Defense System • Use techniques such as inspection, static analysis, hazard analysis, and configuration management to make your software more “solid” • Apply these techniques to strengthen software that puts many lives at risk • Identify strengths and weaknesses in real-world, safety-critical software

W6   Advanced Topics Sorting Out Six Sigma and the CMM David Card, Software Productivity Consortium While the Capability Maturity Model has become widely accepted as an approach to software process improvement, Six Sigma is becoming increasingly popular in manufacturing and service organizations. This has resulted in some confusion over methods and conflicts for resources. However, the two approaches are actually synergistic. • Learn the basic concepts of Six Sigma • Understand its relationship to the CMM • Discover how a CMM-based improvement program can leverage Six Sigma techniques

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 13, 11:30 AM    Go to 10:15 AM    Go to 2:00 PM

W10   Getting Started Function Points! It’s Our Middle Name Scott Goldfarb, International Function Point Users Group Function points are measures of software size that are critical to any successful measurement program. The International Function Point Users Group (IFPUG) is the non-profit organization responsible for defining the standard, documenting the rules, and promoting function point usage. This session offers an introduction to function points, including their components, usage, and counting process • Learn how function points are used to measure, estimate, and improve processes • Understand the IFPUG role in maintaining the function point standard • Find out how to get started using function points in your organization

W11   Improving Refocusing Software Development in the New Economy Ram Chillarege, Chillarege Corp. A changing economy and fiercely competitive market have raised the bar on what we expect from software development efficiency. But are we really getting the degree of productivity we expect? Quite often these questions are never answered adequately, and we don’t have the measurement systems required to gain the needed insight. Ram Chillarege’s presentation highlights some key principles and methods to help project teams gain the reporting edge they need. This refocusing of software development can make the difference between failed execution and success. • Identify weaknesses and strengths in existing measurement systems • Learn to refocus the systems you have in order to answer the questions posed • Explore ways to compete in a fast-evolving economy

W12   Advanced Topics Measurement and the CMM: How Measurement Practices Evolve Charles Weber, TeraQuest Metrics People who use the Capability Maturity Model (CMM) for software often struggle with the apparent paradigm shift as they move from level to level, particularly when they reach Level 4 in the CMM 1 to 5 level scheme. This presentation illustrates the characteristics of a measurement program at the different CMM maturity levels. It particularly seeks to demystify the Level 4 concepts of process capability and process performance baselines, and how these concepts are applicable to all CMM levels. The presenter uses real-world examples from a variety of mid- to high-maturity organizations to show participants how to make the transitions across CMM levels without losing momentum. • Identify measurement obstacles you’ll encounter as you transition to higher levels of process maturity • Implement your measurement program as a natural evolution of practices to support your process maturation • Get clarity on what Level 4 really means

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 13, 2:00 PM    Go to 10:15 AM    Go to 11:30 AM

W16   Getting Started Activity-Based Cost Estimating for Web-Based Software Avon Leong, Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. What does it cost to provide a feature or complete a transaction for Web-based software? In traditional activity-based cost estimating, a company looks at a product’s sales activity and resources used in order to determine its cost. But how do we measure the resources used by one product, when all of the company’s products share a common Web site or server? Avon Leong explores the matters involved in calculating the ongoing cost of providing online functions, and why it’s important. He offers participants strategies to tackle these modern-day eCommerce issues. • Understand the benefits of clarifying the true cost of a Web transaction • Explore issues surrounding calculating costs on the Web • Learn what metrics you can use to allocate costs to various products

W17   Improving IS and IT Benchmarking: Current Status Mark Czarnecki, The Benchmarking Network, Inc. Are you having trouble making a business case for benchmarking at your organization? Mark Czarnecki delivers his benchmarking expertise in a presentation designed to help participants impact their corporate culture as well as their benchmarking abilities. He reviews the current status of information systems and technology benchmarking, and he explains current benchmarking theory. The presentation also covers generalized database sources for benchmarking. • Learn how companies are creating their own benchmarking opportunities • Examine how industry-focused benchmarking is changing the landscape • Identify how special efforts target business processes

W18   Advanced Topics Understanding Variation and Stability: The Key to Managing Your Software Process Anita Carleton, Software Engineering Institute The control chart is a form of instrumentation that acts like a pressure gauge in the world of software development. It provides critical data to help guide the decisions made by software engineers and managers. This presentation shares the results of studies using statistical process control analysis to monitor and adjust software process improvement activities. It also highlights the correlation between the use of control charts and improved processes. • Discover the value control charts add when used to provide engineers and managers with quantitative insights into the behavior of software development processes • Examine the use of control charts to measure the stability and capability of software processes • Learn to use control charts as a basis for control and process improvement

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