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Rome Laboratory Software Quality Technology Transfer Consortium (SQTTC)

This activity was reported on in the Winter 1994 issue of the DACS Newsletter. The initiative is an attempt to transfer the technology known as the Software Quality Framework. Developed between 1980 and 1985 this framework is based on the description of thirteen attributes of software called software quality factors. Its genesis is the early work done by Barry Boehm, Jim McCall, and others to identify quality attributes. The taxonomy is based on the association of various criteria such as "anomaly management" with each factor. Each criterion is measured through various metrics or elements that are associated with the products and various phases of the development life cycle. The consortium has three active member companies: Northrop Grumman, Hughes Canada, and SoHaR Inc. Northrop Grumman is applying the framework to the Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System (Joint STARS) program while Hughes to the Canadian Air Traffic Control System. Lockheed Fort Worth Company is in the process of joining the consortium. The consortium is seeking new member companies. Andrew Chruscicki, founder and manager of the Consortium, has moved to assume the role of Technical Director. John Marciniak, Technical Director of the DACS, has recently been brought on board to assist Mr. Chruscicki for day-to-day management. Please direct your inquiries to Mr. Thomas McGibbon, [email protected].

MIL-Handbook-Practical Software Measurement

This initiative is to develop a measurement guidebook that can be used in conjunction with the soon to be released Military Standard 498, the revision to DoD-STD-2167A (DoD Systems Software Development). The guidebook is titled MIL-Handbook-Practical Software Measurement. The primary objective of the guidebook is to provide practical software measurement implementation guidance to DoD Mission Critical Computer Resources (MCCR), Command, Control, Communications and Intelligence (C3I), and Automated Information System (AIS) program acquisition organizations in support of MIL-STD-498. The effort is sponsored by the Joint Logistics Commander's Computer Resources Management Committee, in short the JLC-CRM. The JLC-CRM also sponsors the 498 revision to 2167A. The guidebook will be published in its initial version this summer. It will concentrate on the "measurement principles" that program managers and engineering personnel should be aware of and utilize. An accompanying case study is under preparation that will illustrate the principles of the guidebook.
The point of contact for this effort is:
Jack McGarry
Naval Undersea Warfare Command
(401) 841-3834, [email protected].

SEI Core Metrics Program

The SEI has developed a set of guidebooks that define a basis set of core metrics as well as defining information. The SEI core set consists of the following set of metrics: Size, (Size, progress, reuse), Staff-Hours (Effort, cost, resource allocations), Calendar dates (Schedule), and Counts of software problems and defects (Quality, readiness for delivery, improvement trends). The SEI helps organizations implement these metrics through technical guidance. At the annual SEI sponsored Software Engineering Conference there is normally a session that discusses experiences with the use of the core metrics set.
The point of contact for this activity is:
Anita Carleton
Software Engineering Institute (SEI)
(412) 268-7718, [email protected].

Order-I

This project is based on the Air Force initiative, the NSDIR. The National Software Data and Information Repository (NSDIR) initiative originated in a workshop sponsored by the Office of the Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, specifically Communications, Computers, and Support Systems (SAF/AQK), which is headed by Mr. Lloyd Mosemann. As a result of recommendations from the workshop Mr. Mosemann initiated the Order I project, an effort to prototype a capability to demonstrate the capabilities that a data repository could provide. Order-I utilizes a number of existing data sets such as those of the SEL and NUWC in order to demonstrate the capability for "viewing" data. The contract, initiated under the Air Force's Computer Technology Transition program, produced a demonstrable prototype. The Order-I program is evolving and new project sites are being solicited to collect additional data in order to provide for the collection of data in the future.
The point contact for this initiative is:
Lt Col Dan Romano
SAF/AQK
(703) 697-3108,[email protected].

STSC Metrics Starter Kit

The Software Technology Support Center (STSC), operated for the Air Force at Hill AFB Utah, provides a metrics' starter kit based on the Air Force Software Metrics Policy. This policy requires that software metrics cover cost, schedule, and quality. These areas are subdivided to capture the following "core" attributes: size, effort, schedule, software quality and rework. The STSC also offers software measurement courses to DoD sites.
The point of contact for this activity is:
STSC Customer Service
(801) 777-8045, [email protected].

U.S. Army STEP Metrics Program

The U.S. Operational Test and Evaluation Command (OPTEC) initiated the Software Test and Evaluation Panel in 1989. One of the products of this panel activity was the development of a standard set of twelve metrics that has since been called the STEP metrics set. The metrics set is: Management: Cost, Schedule, Computer Resource Utilization, and Software developer maturity; Requirements: Requirements Traceability and Requirements Stability; Quality: Design Stability, Complexity, Fault Profile, Breadth of Testing, depth of Testing, and Reliability. The Army is implementing this system in conjunction with a number of tools and training courses. The concept is to have data collected according to the defined metrics for use in decision making in programs and eventually across programs. The decisions would be aided through the use of tools such as the Software Metrics Management Information System (SMMIS). An Army repository will be created to house all of the data. Additional tools would provide higher levels of management to gain access to and insight into a wide array of Army programs.
The point of contact for the STEP program is:
Don Scott Lucero
OPTEC (703) 756-0895, [email protected].

NASA Goddard Space Flight Centers Software Engineering Laboratory(SEL)

The SEL is based on the implementation of two quality improvement methodologies: the Experience Factory and the Quality Improvement Program (QIP). The Experience Factory is an organizational concept that provides an analysis and synthesis capability, as well as a "library" facility for data, products, and information about software development. It not only captures products and data, but the experiences of the management and engineering staff involved in software development, ergo the term "experience factory". The measurement program in the SEL is based upon the Goal/Question/Metrics paradigm, a method that aids in the definition, selection, and interpretation of measures of the software process and product and other forms of software experience. This measurement approach is used by the Quality Improvement Program to support continuous improvement based on six steps: Characterize, Set Goals, Choose Process, Execute, Analyze, and Package. It represents for development what the Shewart-Deming Cycle Plan/Do/Check/Act represents for quality management programs. The SEL has been performing experiments, developing systems, and collecting data since 1976 (Reference 1). In 1994 the SEL was awarded the SEI and IEEE Process Achievement Award for these activities.
The point of contact for this program is
Rose Pajerski
SEL, (301) 286-3010, [email protected].

Reference 1. Available from the DACS, the NASA/SEL dataset, ordering information from the DACS Order Form.