Software Assessments, Benchmarks, and Best Practices

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Teaching software professionals how to combine assessments (qualitative information) and benchmarking (quantitative information) this text aims to encourage better software analysis. 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 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. 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.

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Pages: 688, Edition: 01, Paperback, Addison Wesley