Services & Support

Scheduled Public Workshops

SEER for Software Workshops

Core Workshop

This three-day workshop provides attendees with a complete methodology to develop and evaluate resource estimates for software development and maintenance projects. The workshop covers the basic functions of gathering and assessing inputs such as software size, people, process and product in order to develop an estimate of project budget, staffing, schedule and risk. We walk you through a structured process with presentation, discussion and extensive "hands-on" experience, showing you how to make use of the many features of SEER for Software to increase reliability, traceability and efficiency. New features in our major product release, SEER-SEM 8.0, are taught at logical points in the course, not grouped in one "what's new" section.

Each student has a working partner for optimum learning, and we provide a comfortable, highly effective, technically up-to-date learning environment. The instructors don't just teach; they are actual practitioners and consultants with extensive experience as well as intimate knowledge of the applications. Instructors augment the training with ‘lessons learned’ from actual use of the model and demonstrate ways to use the model for simple and efficient analysis - things that cannot be learned from just reading the manual! Students can learn tactics on how to use the model to improve the efficiency of cost proposals, as well as benchmark and cross-check in order to allow for maximum return on investment. Also, students will gather valuable perspective on how the model has been used by many other organizations under a variety of environments and circumstances.

Audience:

This course is designed for:

  • Project Managers
  • Software Managers
  • Software Engineers
  • Systems Engineers
  • Cost Estimators
  • Acquisition Professionals

Upon completion of the class, users will be able to:

  • Estimate budget, staffing and schedule
  • Determine optimum, achievable plans based on estimates
  • Substantiate estimates and their basis
  • Calculate total ownership costs
  • Make trade-offs regarding cost, schedule, reliability
  • Quantify risk and risk management approaches

SEER for Software Core Course Outline

Day One

  1. Understand foundation concepts & issues that govern project estimation & analysis
  2. Learn the empirical basis of the mathematics, process, and inputs within SEER models
  3. Learn the SEER model basic equation and flow of data through the model
  4. Learn how to navigate through SEER model user interfaces
  5. Generate a simple estimate
  6. Detailed discussion of software size
  7. Size - Effort Relationship
  8. Effective Size
  9. Source Lines & Function Points
  10. Sizing Proxies
  11. COTS Sizing
  12. Other Sizing Parameters
  13. Rework Components
  14. Size by Comparison

Day Two

  1. WBS creation guidelines
  2. Knowledge Base details
  3. Learn how to gather & load critical model input data
  4. Understand technology & environment input parameter:
        Definitions
        Sensitivities
        Interrelationships
  5. Software development phases:
        Requirements
        System Integration & Test
        Maintenance
  6. Output charts & reports
  7. Exporting & copying data to other applications
  8. Risk analysis & Goals

Day Three

  1. Best practices
  2. Course evaluations
  3. Capstone case study

Advanced Workshop

Advanced workshops are intended for those who have used SEER for Software to develop and evaluate estimates, and are ready to move to the next level in using SEER to support their projects. These workshops cover specific topics, including:

  • Power-user functions for the SEER expert
  • Calibration, customization and integration features
  • Project Management
  • Project monitoring and control

Prerequisite: SEER for Software Core. We strongly discourage students from taking the Core and Advanced classes back-to-back. At least six weeks in between these two courses is recommended to practice the fundamentals.

SEER for Software Advanced Workshop Course Outline:

Day One

  1. Core concepts review
  2. Calibration
  3. Custom Knowledge Bases
  4. Scenarios
  5. Server Mode

Day Two

  1. Repository Administration & Database Features
  2. Metrics Analysis & Trend lines
  3. Incremental Builds
  4. Microsoft Project Integration
  5. Parametric Project Monitoring & Control
  6. Course evaluations


Click  here  to download this page in pdf format.

Private SEER Workshops

The majority of our training is done at the customer facilities.  Most SEER customers prefer to select the date and location for SEER workshops to ensure that their specific estimating and project planning concerns are addressed in a confidential environment. These workshops are priced on a per-event basis (including instructor travel expenses). Private workshops are typically more economical where multiple users can benefit from training. Please call us for a quote (310) 414-3222. 

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International Workshops

Scheduled Public Workshops

SEER for Software (SEER-SEM) - Core
  • April 23, 2012 - April 25, 2012
    DC Area
  • June 04, 2012 - June 06, 2012
    El Segundo, CA
  • September 10, 2012 - September 12, 2012
    DC Area
  • October 29, 2012 - October 31, 2012
    El Segundo, CA
SEER for Software (SEER-SEM) - Advanced
  • April 26, 2012
    DC Area
  • June 07, 2012
    El Segundo, CA
  • September 13, 2012
    DC Area
  • November 01, 2012
    El Segundo, CA