Corporate Library

SEER for Software

Webinars

SEER® and Its Relation to the CMMI®

Capability Maturity Model® Integration (CMMI) is a process improvement approach that provides organizations with the essential elements of effective processes. Project Planning and Project Monitoring and Control are two of these processes. Prior to project execution, the relationship between these two process areas tends to be strong. Unfortunately, once a project is underway the relationship between planning, monitoring, and control tends to breakdown in the rush to achieve project deadlines. The result is a high-risk, open-loop project: You know where you planned to be and where you are, but you don't know where you will likely end up. In this webinar we review the fundamentals of project modeling, estimating, and performance measurement, and introduce a methodology for seamlessly integrating Project Planning, Project Monitoring and Control, and Project Measurement and Analysis.

Software Total Cost of Ownership

Software development is a costly, often schedule-driven activity, prone to compromises to meet schedule. Many of these compromises have far-reaching impacts on the cost of software maintenance, total ownership costs and software sustainability. Maintenance staff is often insufficient and asked to do too much to sustain the desired level of maintenance. While software doesn't wear out, with inadequate maintenance it can become functionally less useful and less reliable over time.This webinar discusses maintenance productivity issues and metrics, methods of making the most appropriate tradeoffs during development, and determining that total ownership costs are managed rather than just arbitrary. SEER's maintenance model will also be discussed and demonstrated.

Parametric Modeling and CAIV: Optimizing Requirements and Total Cost of Ownership

CAIV or Cost as an Independent Variable is a methodology for reducing total cost of ownership by setting aggressive yet realistic cost objectives when defining operational requirements or acquiring systems. This webinar introduces the underlying methodology of CAIV and how SEER parametric estimation models can be used to support CAIV implementation. Linking SEER to the organization's databases and engineering systems, users can leverage the power of parametrics to implement CAIV, Design to Cost, Target Costing initiatives, and basic design trade studies, as well as to develop and evaluate real-time cost impact assessments of competing design alternatives.

Function Based Sizing: A Function-Point Alternative with Complete Compatibility

Galorath's Function-Based Sizing method has gained widespread acceptance among SEER users and for good reason: It enables individuals to determine functional software sizing even if they're not certified function point counters. In many cases, users find Function-Based Sizing easier and more complete than alternative sizing methodologies. Users can also size in more intuitive detail, such as by 'data tables' instead of 'ILF's or 'input screens' instead of 'EI's. This tutorial fully describes Function Based Sizing in a user-friendly and example-filled format. Participants will learn to quickly and intuitively identify the distinct types of function points and their size, and also to size hidden functionality that standard function points may not cover.

Software Sizing, Cost, Schedule, and Risk: A 10-Step Process

An effective software estimate provides the information needed to design a workable software development plan. How well the project is estimated is ultimately the key to the project’s (and product’s) success. An effective software estimate also provides important information for making project decisions, predicting performance, and defining objectives and plans. This webinar discusses how to make software projects more successful by properly estimating and planning project costs, schedules, risks, and resources. The 10-step process presented in this webinar provides a complete method for developing estimates and plans, based upon the book Software Sizing, Estimation, and Risk Management; When Performance is Measured Performance Improves by Daniel D. Galorath and Michael W. Evans (Auerbach Publications, February 2006).

SEER Integration to IBM RSX: Generating Project Estimates Directly from Use Cases

The SEER Integration to IBM RSX enables users to extract relevant information from use cases specified in IBM Rational Systems Developer, IBM Rational Software Modeler, IBM Rational Software Architect and legacy Rational Rose, and automatically generate a complexity-adjusted software size estimate. This estimate can be divided into a work breakdown structure that is exportable directly into the SEER for Software effort and duration estimating model, or a number of other formats. The SEER Integration to IBM Rational RSX has been validated for inclusion in IBM’s Ready for IBM Rational software program.

SEER and MS Project: Software Development Planning Made Easy

This webinar shows you how you can transform Microsoft Project into a powerful application for estimating and planning projects. With relatively few inputs, the SEER integration to MS Project enables users to estimate project costs, effort, duration, and risk with SEER for Software, and construct a complete project plan in MS Project.

Thousands of Actual Data Points Now Available To SEER for Software Users Via ISBSG Partnership

Users have long asked for access to Galorath’s raw data points in addition their own data and Galorath’s trend lines to supplement their own data.  Though a partnership with the International Software Benchmarking Standards Group (ISBSG), thousands of data points are now available for use in SEER Metrics and Benchmarking, Comparative Sizing and other SEER applications.  The first part of this webinar explains the mission of the ISBSG and its data collection activity, as well as ISBSG's main product: its data repository of over 4,000 software development and enhancement projects.  In order to correctly use this data with SEER and other applications, users need to understand ISBSG data definitions and its data collection and validation processes.  ISBSG's partnership wth Galorath has made it possible for Galorath to integrate ISBSG's data into SEER for Software.  The second part of the webinar shows how the data is made available in SEER for Software and how it can be used.

Estimating Agile Projects Using SEER for Software

Recently CNN published a list of 50 things it thinks are transforming the world of business. Agile Software Development was ranked #18. However, current agile methods do not preclude the need for a quantified approach to software project estimation and planning.

During this presentation, we will discuss how to use SEER for Software (SEER-SEM) to estimate projects being developed using one of the various Agile methodologies. The Agile Manifesto will be reviewed and a recommendation made for what parametric parameters can be mapped to the doctrine. The webinar will conclude with the presentation of the "Agile-Full" and "Agile-Novice" development method knowledge bases now available in SEER for Software.

Estimating Software Enhancement Projects

This presentation tackles the challenge of estimating effort, cost, and schedule for software enhancement projects. It presents a methodology that leverages SEER for Software's Acquisition Method knowledge base and function point analysis. This methodology provides a structured, documentable, repeatable approach that can be used in an enhancement scenario and can be improved over time with adjustments and calibration.

Sizing by Comparison

Sizing by Comparison is an application for estimating software size, the single most significant driver of development cost, effort, and schedule. Sizing by Comparison helps the user define software scope through a series of project analogies and/or comparisons to a user’s repository of past projects. In this way users can develop a reliable estimate on a project’s scope even when information is scarce. Sizing can be determined using analogies, pair-wise comparison, or through an array of metrics such as Function Points, Source Lines of Code (SLOC), Function Based Sizing, and Use Cases.

Estimating the 10 Hidden Costs of Packaged Software Implementation

The 21st century has seen a growing use of prepackaged applications within IT organizations. However, the deployment of these packages (such as Sales Force Automation (SFA), Enterprise Application Integration (EAI), Customer Relationship Management (CRM), e-business, and Business Intelligence) is often wrought with unexpected costs and sizing considerations. In this seminar we will discuss the top ten factors to consider when estimating the deployment of prepackaged applications.

15 Years of Estimates within 2 Percent - Northrop Grumman’s Methods Revealed

Do your estimates need to:

  • Decrease program risk?
  • Reduce cost and schedule over runs during project execution?
  • Increase accuracy?

An industry expert from Northrop Grumman reveals Grumman's methods for accurately and successfully bidding software projects--with median cost under runs of 2 percent over 15 years.

Software Estimation Approaches That Deliver: Industry Leaders Speak Out

Software estimation, planning and control can be keystones to successful projects. Companies that estimate strategically are able to zero in on their projects so they deliver to business targets. Despite this, many treat estimation as a black art or worse - a guess.

Dan Galorath and Geoff Hewson will explain the key concepts that drive successful software estimation in support of planning and managing successful software development and maintenance projects:

  • Decisions and deliverables needed to design estimation procedures tuned to your organization.
  • Guidance in setting up the infrastructure you need to realize the most benefit from your new estimation capabilities.
  • Establishing a “negotiating culture” to allow you to deal effectively with the results of your estimates and focus projects on business success.

SEER for Software and SPC concepts will support the discussion.

What Would You Like to Estimate Today?  SEER Estimate by Comparison

With SEER Estimate by Comparison, good estimates based on intuition are only a few comparisons away.  By stepping through a series of intuitive comparisons to better-known items, SEER Estimate by Comparison provides a credible basis for accurately determining either quantitative or qualitative values for both SEER and non-SEER parameters.

In a portfolio analysis exercise, we will demonstrate how multiple software projects’ sizes and value can be simultaneously estimated.

Unraveling the Complexities of Software Data Normalization + Using ISBSG Data with SEER-SEM

Revealed:

  • Lessons learned in software data normalization
  • What factors to be aware of
  • Application of the data within SEER
  • The process for obtaining the normalized ISBSG data set for use in SEER for Software (SEER-SEM)

Data is an important part of SEER for Software, providing the basis for its calibration and also for trend lines available to the user. Galorath obtains its data through many relationships, such as with the International Software Benchmark Standards Group (ISBSG), which collects and distributes data primarily within commercial environments.

Data normalization – the process of making records consistent and usable – is an important yet often misunderstood part of the process. In this webinar we will show how we normalize the ISBSG database, how the data is directly accessible within SEER for Software, and how users can obtain the ISBSG data.

Exploit What You’ve Learned: SEER for Software Project Actuals Data Analysis

Galorath Incorporated works hard to insure that SEER for Software out of the box is calibrated to a wide variety of software development circumstances. SEER for Software can also be calibrated in a number of ways, increasing estimating confidence.

Calibration avenues include knowledge bases, custom knowledge bases, and a large array of parameters, in addition to specialized calibration factors, an advanced feature of SEER for Software.

This presentation provides a complete tutorial on how to calibrate: what to look for, how to process actual outcomes for comparability with SEER for Software, forensics, statistical methods, and ways in which SEER for Software can be calibrated. Take what you need:

  • What to look for when evaluating software project data
  • Normalization techniques to insure records are comparable
  • How SEER for Software can be calibrated
Demystifying Agile Project Cost and Schedule Estimates

As more and more organizations embrace the many benefits of Agile software development, one problem still endures: How does one estimate an Agile project?

During this presentation the audience will be shown three kinds of Agile estimates:

  • The Planning Estimate
  • The Forecast Estimate
  • The Working Estimate

Each estimate is prepared at various stages of the development cycle and allows for a wide range of assumptions about the project, the staff, and the customer. When prepared using a parametric modeling application, such as SEER for Software, a close approximation to actual projects cost, effort, and schedule can be predicted.

Acquisition Reform (WSARA) And How It Impacts Your Estimations: Looking forward And Lessons Learned

Weapons systems acquisition reform has been a recurring topic within the Department of Defense for many years.

Mr. Bob Hunt, Galorath’s V.P. of Professional Services, was a Senior Pentagon official during the previous Acquisition Reform initiatives. He has since been active in the contractor community. Mr. Hunt will offer a unique perspective on how these acquisition reforms will impact both the Government and the contractor estimating communities.

This WebEx discusses the unique implication of the latest reform on the cost and schedule estimating process, including:

  • Cost Assessment & Program Evaluation
  • Directors of DT&E and Systems Engineering Performance Assessments & Root Cause Analysis
  • Assessment of Technology Maturity
  • Trade-Offs in Cost, Schedule and Performance
  • Critical Cost Growth in MDAPs
  • Earned Value Management
  • Required Reports
  • Cost Assessment & Program Evaluation
  • How some of the SEER applications can be advantageously applied for Pre-milestone A estimates
  • And much more!

Much (or some) of this has been tried before, e.g. Goldwater-Nichols Department of Defense Reorganization Act of 1986; also discussed in “The Cost Analysis Improvement Group: A History” by Srull, Margolis, and McNicol. WSARA is being driven by the continued and “sometimes surprising growth” in the cost and schedule of Major Defense Acquisition Programs (MDAPs).

 

Presentations

Tracking Software Projects with Parametric Performance Measurement

Earned Value Management (EVM) employs principals of control theory to increase the probability that a software project's actual performance matches its expected (planned) performance. While this process is generally well understood and well supported, it has a couple of serious shortcomings: 1) its single-dimension focus on task completion as the sole means of earning value and 2) its inability to provide a realistic performance-based Estimate at Completion (EAC). EVM fails to recognize measures other than task completion as indicators of progress – measures which can reveal otherwise undetected project issues and problems. TEVM's failure to incorporate the fundamental size-time-effort relationships of software development project dynamics when computing EAC. This webinar describes how EVM can be combined with parametric project estimates for software project monitoring and control.  It also demonstrates how SEER for Software project monitoring and control can be used to yield a more realistic and accurate prediction of EAC and other project management metrics, taking the size-time-effort relationships of software project dynamics into consideration.

Fast-track Your CMMI Initiative with Better Estimation Practices

The Software Engineering Institute's CMMI models provide the latest best practices for software development and maintenance. Galorath's SEER process and applications, which support cradle to grave project management, are closely aligned with CMMI. This webinar begins with a high-level overview of CMMI. Next we explain how to use SEER methods and applications to achieve compliance in three CMMI Level 2 key processes: Project Planning, Project Monitoring and Control and Measurement and Analysis. Finally you will learn a strategy for fast-track success with CMMI, showing how your organization can obtain Level 3 in as little as 15 months.

Effective Software Sizing

Although many factors influence a software project's cost and schedule, software program size is the key determinant that affects cost and effort. Software sizing is a measure of how “big” a program is. While this may seem self-evident, the actual concept of software size is often confusing and not well defined. This presentation will explain software sizing techniques and leading trends and practices in software sizing technology, including: sizing source lines of code, function sizing, object sizing, reusing existing source code, use and integration of off-the-shelf software and other sizing methods. Because software size has the biggest impact on estimation, this presentation will also explain major software estimation concepts such as technology, environment, complexity factors, staffing, scheduling, risk, and probability. Additionally, we will briefly cover why it makes sense to use your software estimation model as a perfect management application.

Introduction to Software Estimation

This presentation teaches the basics of software estimation including definitions, background, and best practices. Software development is often considered “magic” or “black art” and the thought of getting a reliable estimate is often scoffed at (for many understandable reasons). This presentation will show you that obtaining reliable software estimates is possible, and can not only make your project more successful, but can also make your (and your team’s) lives better.

Costing COTS Integration

This presentation provides a roadmap for doing an estimate for a Commercial-Off-the-Shelf (COTS) intensive systems development. It discusses the key lessons learned about COTS development pitfalls and translates them into estimation steps and checklists. A calibration example using historical data from a Northrop Grumman Mission Systems COTS-intensive development is presented.

The Software Estimation Approach of the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) Autonomic Logistics Information

This presentation discusses the techniques applied to determine a software estimate for ALIS and the techniques that will be used to maintain and manage software size and effort during development.

Software Total Ownership: Cost Development is (only) Job One

Planning software development projects is never an easy undertaking. Issues such as customer and competitive requirements, time-to-market, architectural and quality considerations, staffing levels and expertise, potential risks, and many other factors must be carefully weighed and considered. Software development costs only comprise a portion - often the smaller portion - of the total cost of software ownership. However, the development process itself has a significant impact on total cost of ownership as tradeoffs are evaluated and compromises are made that impact sustainability and maintainability of software over time.

Software Total Ownership: Development Costs is (only) Job One [Power Point]

Planning software development projects is never an easy undertaking. Customer and competitive requirements, time-to-market, architectural and quality considerations, staffing levels and expertise, potential risks, and many other factors must be carefully weighed and considered. What can make software planning even more complicated, however, is that software development costs only comprise a portion - often the smaller portion - of the total cost of software ownership. In fact, the development process, itself, invariably has a significant impact on total cost of ownership as tradeoffs are evaluated and compromises made which impact software sustainability and maintainability of software over time. Because software doesn't wear out like car tires do, software planners may underestimate how much a code stream can degrade over time with the accumulation of patches, system and configuration changes, provisioning and reprovisioning, integrations, and ongoing development. Further, the rigorous standards applied during initial software development may end up being compromised as maintenance personnel are diverted to emerging or mission-critical software issues. Over time, accumulation of poorly managed changes almost always generates software instability and a significant increase in the cost of software maintenance - up to four times the cost of initial development, according to some estimates. 

Software Sizing, Cost, Schedule, and Risk: A 10-Step Process

An effective software estimate provides the information needed to design a workable software development plan. How well the project is estimated is ultimately the key to the project's (and product's) success. An effective software estimate also provides important information for making project decisions, predicting performance, and defining objectives and plans. This webinar discusses how to make software projects more successful by properly estimating and planning project costs, schedules, risks, and resources. The 10-step process presented in this webinar provides a complete method for developing estimates and plans, based upon the book Software Sizing, Estimation, and Risk Management; When Performance is Measured Performance Improves by Daniel D. Galorath and Michael W. Evans (Auerbach Publications, February 2006).

Software Sizing, Cost, Schedule, and Risk: A 10-Step Process (JAPANESE VERSION)
Life Cycle Costing Capability in an International Organisation for Armament Cooperation

OCCAR-EA is an International organisation with full legal personality since 2001. It was created to co-ordinate, control and implement co-operative armament programmes that are assigned to it by the Member States. Today OCCAR is managing 7 Programmes with a total portfolio of 44 billions Euros. OCCAR is clearly tasked from its Convention to identify Cost Effective options to the nations both during Development and Production and for the In Service Phase of a Programme.  In this frame, OCCAR-EA has developed a Life Cycle Costing capability within the general approach of Through Life Management.  This allows the identification of common and cost effective solutions and informs the decision makers on these opportunities. The presentation will show the steps followed to set up this capability and will point out the specifics linked to an international Agency, a snapshot of the process in place, and the types of studies that have been performed.

Embedding Galorath’s Estimating Tools into a Project & Programme Management Suite

In this presentation we will show how the Galorath estimating tools have been integrated into Ninth Wave’s Project & Programme Management (PPM) suite.

In most PPM products estimates for projects are entered manually and there is no audit trail provided for senior managers to see how the estimate was derived. Ninth Wave has enhanced its PPM suite to be able to generate an estimate automatically into a project by using the Galorath products in a “black box” fashion.

The key benefits of this integrated approach are:

  • estimating best practice is embedded into project management across the organisation
  • drill-down capability to understand key inputs and drivers for an estimate
  • ability to model different scenarios with just a couple of mouse clicks
  • audit trail provided for all steps associated with generating an estimate
Software Sizing – the weakest link of estimating?

Charles Symons presents data on the performance of the software industry which in certain respects is dreadful. Evidence will be shown suggesting that this poor performance is at least partly due to weaknesses in performance measurements and in estimating. By "estimating", we mean:

  • initial estimation of the product size,
  • methods for estimating project effort and duration from the initial size,
  • processes by which estimating is integrated with project management,

where the first of these elements is the weakest link (though the third is also often weak).

The talk will then trace the development of methods of sizing software from using SLOC, to Albrecht’s idea of sizing functionality (now the IFPUG method), to the COSMIC method. Charles will briefly compare these methods and show how the COSMIC method overcomes weaknesses of earlier approaches.

What’s New and “Dan Galorath on Estimating”

What's new and what's coming in SEER will be featured.

Additionally Dan will discuss selections from his blog. Dan will discuss selections from metrics, effectiveness measurement, the real costs of a variety of undertakings, what is ITIL versus ISO 9000, the risk of IT projects, what the assets of failed banks really are worth, and lots more. He weighs in on a wealth of topics both timeless and contemporary.

Decisions, (Multi-Criterion, Subjective, unbounded), Decisions

The primary objective of this paper is to introduce two alternative methods, Absolute and Empirical Referencing, used to minimize the subjectivity surrounding some of the more crucial processes associated with project management and analysis. The Estimate by Comparison solution developed by Galorath Incorporated will be used as the vehicle to illustrate comparative sizing for the purposes of Parametric Estimation along with a few other more contemporary applications.

Estimation in ERP Environments
  • Organisations have ambitious plans when purchasing ERP
  • More than 75% believe in quick wins and grand return of investment
  • In practice one will go a long way of learning
  • 30% - 70% cost reduction is possible
  • Therefore one needs a strong strategy in standardisation, developing
  • Kknowing the pitfalls and monitoring the principal cost drivers are essential
  • Benchmarking and estimating the projects and their environments will bring success
  • Example insurance company:
    • Starting up with conventional planning and estimating
    • Gathering facts and figures
    • Switching to ERP environment planning
    • Building up company specific planning data
    • Creating private knowledge base
The 12 Sins of Estimation

Sin is a term used mainly in a religious context to describe an act that violates a moral code of conduct or the state of having committed such a violation. In monotheistic religions, the code of conduct is determined by God. Colloquially, any thought, word, or act considered immoral, harmful, or alternative might be termed "sinful". Knowingly, and unknowingly, we as estimation experts commit sins in the area of Estimation, leading to harmful effects on the project management, tracking and control. With the premise that not doing wrong things is a way to do the right, the presentation highlights the common sins committed by experts in the field of estimation.

Taking into account the current practical realities of business, the presentation explains how we can improve the process of estimation, and how to gather the critical mass required to make change happen in an organization.>/p>

 

Whitepapers

Relative Language Productivities Redux

This white paper walks through the process for estimating the relative productivity values for a diverse set of languages.

A Software Model Based on Architecture

Determining software size is often the most difficult step in estimating software projects. This white paper introduces research in automatic sizing applications, including applied research and identification of enabling technologies.

Assessing Software Productivity with An Estimation Model

The assessment of productivity is an inherently ambiguous and challenging process. The major challenge is determining what level of productivity is expected for a particular type of software project. This case study describes how SEER was used to assess the validity of productivity levels of an organization's subcontractor, and ultimately determine how they were arriving at roughly 19,000 hours per month in maintenance changes.

Driving Quality through Parametrics

This article shows how prediction models can be used to improve delivered quality. It also demonstrates how organizations can anticipate and plan for the factors that affect quality, leveraging quality management activities to improve the entire development effort.

Implementing an Estimating Process

Introducing a process, a method and a technique is in many ways comparable with the introduction of a new or enhanced information system. The IT project brings together software, hardware, infrastructure, organization and people. The project is structured with stages for development, transition to support, run & maintain and implement. Why not apply the same structure to implementing an estimating process?

Implementing a Metrics Program: MOUSE Will Help You

IT projects bring together software, hardware, infrastructure, organization and people. An IT project is structured with stages for development, transition to support, run & maintain and implementation. Why not apply the same structure to implementing a metrics program? However a metrics program is not equal to an information system - this requires different activities and stages.

 

Case Studies