Management's Role in Achieving
Predictable Software Development

Steven R. Rakitin

For many companies, the demand for their software products frequently exceeds their capability to deliver. As a result, many software companies frequently fail to meet customer expectations. This leads to frustrated, unhappy customers and frustrated employees.

Most software organizations lack discipline, credibility, and most importantly, predictability. As a result, it is very difficult to accurately determine when software products will be released, the features these products will have, and their overall quality. Without knowing when products will be released, your organization may not be able to plan customer training and product promotions, your resource utilization across projects may become difficult to manage, and your customers may be unable to plan for introduction of your software into their organization.

A predictable software development process can significantly improve an organization's ability to deliver quality software on time, to meet customer expectations, and to improve employee satisfaction. This talk provides an overview of proven techniques that Managers and Executives can use to help their organizations become more predictable.

This meeting of the Computer Society of the Worcester County Section of the IEEE is scheduled for 6:30 PM, Wednesday, 24 January 2001, at Quantum Corporation, 333 South Street , Shrewsbury, MA 01545. It is open to members and non-members. For more information call Ric Perron at (508)770 - 6371.

Steven R. Rakitin has over 25 years experience as a software engineer and software quality manager in a broad range of industries including nuclear power, defense, computers, automated test equipment, telecommunications, medical instrumentation, and electronic design automation. He was one of the authors of the IEEE Standard for Software Quality Assurance Plans (IEEE-STD-730). He has written several papers on the subject of software quality and recently published a book titled: Software Verification & Validation: A Practitioner's Guide. He received a BSEE from Northeastern University and an MSCS from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. He has earned certifications from the American Society for Quality (ASQ) as a Software Quality Engineer (CSQE) and Quality Auditor (CQA). He is a member of the IEEE Computer Society and the ASQ Software Division and is on the Editorial Board for the ASQ Journal Software Quality Professional. He presents tutorials and workshops at conferences nationally. As the founder of Software Quality Consulting, he helps companies establish a more predictable software development process.

Directions to Quantum from the East: Take Rt 9 West from Rt. 495, go several miles on Rt 9 (through Westboro, Northboro, to Shrewsbury). After passing the Rt. 20 interchange, make a left at the next traffic light onto South Street. The Ragsdale Superstore is on the south east corner, what used to be Fretter's that used to be Grossmans. Quantum Research Center is located up the hill on the left.

Directions to Quantum from the West: Take Rt 9 East (Worcester, to Shrewsbury). After passing the Rt. 140 interchange, make a right at the next traffic light onto South Street. The Ragsdale Superstore is on the south east corner, what used to be Fretter's that used to be Grossmans. Quantum Research Center is located up the hill on the left.

Ric Perron
Tel: 508-869-2871
Internet: perron@ma.ultranet.com