RICE Objects Definition
RICE is SAP Terminology (R)eports, (I)interfaces, (C)onversions, (E)nhancements
Reports: Number of formatted and organized presentations of data, including output forms.
Interfaces: Number of boundaries across which two independent systems meet and act on or communicate with each other
Conversions: Number of processes that transfer or copy data from an existing system to load production systems.
Enhancements (Extensions): Number of programs that are in addition to an existing standard program.
Thank you for reading “Dan on Estimating”, if you would like more information about Galorath’s estimation models, please visit our contact page or call us at +1 310 414-3222.
Churn Rate For On-Demand (Software as a Service) Solutions
From an email I received from Frontrange Solutions looking at tradeoffs of internal versus SaaS.
“Though many are jumping on the on-demand bandwagon, many are also jumping off. Churn rates for on-demand are as high as 30 percent while renewal rates with on-premise software stand in the 80 percent range. There must be a reason an increasing number of organizations that tried on-demand applications have returned to an on-premise solution. For reasons such as:
- total cost of ownership
- ease of customization
- control of data
- process automation options
- user-interface
- disaster recovery
What this doesn’t seem to show is whether those who drop out of SaaS go to an internal solution or just stop doing that SaaS function. This needs more study.
After the recent disaster where the building where we host our mission critical applications (with its backup generators, etc) was without electricity for two days, we are actually investigating getting our email and other functions out onto a data center ourselves. It is more expensive since we have already invested in infrastructure and IT services. But it may be worthwhile for disaster recovery. Of course the questions of what if the data center has a disaster itself, how do we keep long term backups, etc. are still unanswered.
Thank you for reading “Dan on Estimating”, if you would like more information about Galorath’s estimation models, please visit our contact page or call us at +1 310 414-3222.
Impacts on Software Productivity
The following summarize the impacts on effective technology (propensity for productivity) of some technology and environment factors.
| Parameter | Relative Contribution | Parameter | Relative Contribution |
| Security Requirements | 347% | Resource Dedication | 25% |
| Rehost from Development to Target | 93% | Process Volatility | 24% |
| Analyst Capabilities | 71% | Specification Level – Reliability | 22% |
| Programmer Capabilities | 67% | Logon thru Hardcopy Turnaround | 22% |
| Time Constraints | 60% | Real Time Code | 21% |
| Practices and Methods Experience / Process Improvement | 47% | Test Level | 21% |
| Requirements Volatility | 47% | Host System Volatility | 19% |
| Product Reusability | 44% | Target System Volatility | 16% |
| Analyst’s Application Experience / Application Class Complexity | 40% | Host Development System Experience / Complexity | 15% |
| Automated Tools Use | 35% | Multiple Site Development | 24% |
| Memory Constraints | 33% | Terminal Response Time | 13% |
| Modern Development Practices | 31% | Special Display Requirements | 11% |
| Programmer’s Language Experience / Language Complexity | 30% | Target System Experience / Complexity | 7% |
| Resource & Support Location | 28% | QA Level | 6% |
For more complete discussion see my book on Software Sizing, Estimation and Risk Management.
Thank you for reading “Dan on Estimating”, if you would like more information about Galorath’s estimation models, please visit our contact page or call us at +1 310 414-3222.
Project Prediction Infographic
