New Estimation Examines the Past 35 Years of Software Estimation
MCLEAN, VA, January 19, 2016 – Quantitative Software Management, Inc. (QSM), a leader in software process improvement and systems development estimation, today released the 2016 version of its Software Almanac. The Almanac provides industry leaders with a single resource for examining the history of software estimation and explores how estimation principles remain relevant despite significant changes in software development methodologies.
Addressing an increased focus on risk management and cyber vulnerabilities when it comes to software, this year’s Almanac focuses on “A Changing World: Applying Old Lessons to New Cases.” It analyzes how code and basic metrics were utilized in the infancy of software estimation, emphasizing the five core metrics, project management and best practices associated with software estimation. The resource contains a foreword from Lawrence H. Putnam, Sr., Founder and President Emeritus of QSM, who was a pioneer of the industry 35 years ago.
“This year’s Almanac is truly unique in its look back at more than three decades of software project estimation, which ultimately concludes that many historical processes and principles are still very much applicable today, “ said Doug Putnam, CO-CEO for QSM. “In an era where we are more dependent on software than ever before, this resource can serve as a guide to why it is important to adhere to these historically successful principles and how to make the necessary adjustments to ensure the delivery of reliable software.”
Much of the content in the 2016 QSM Software Almanac is derived from the QSM Metrics Database, drawing data from over 10,000 completed software projects from North and South America, Australia, Europe, Africa, and Asia, representing over 740 million lines of code, 600+ development languages, and 105,833 person years of effort.
The 2016 QSM Software Almanac can be downloaded by visiting /software-almanac-2016.
The QSM Software Almanac was last released in 2014. This version examined and analyzed demographics, core metrics, agile methodology, long term planning and trends in software development.
Additional Resources
- Download Understanding Software Estimation, Negotiation, and Demand Management
- Download the QSM Software Almanac: 2014 Research Edition
- Visit the QSM Blog
- Like QSM on Facebook
- Follow QSM on Twitter
- Follow QSM on LinkedIn
About Quantitative Software Management, Inc. (QSM)
Founded in 1978 by one of the pioneers of software measurement, Larry Putnam, Sr., QSM offers estimation products and consulting that enable federal and commercial clients to estimate, track and benchmark projects. QSM tools and methods help software and systems analysts negotiate achievable goals, set realistic expectations, and communicate more effectively with management and customers. QSM offers the SLIM (Software Lifecycle Management) Suite of tools, which contains metrics from a worldwide database of more than 10,000 completed projects, enabling productivity benchmarking on the desktop. Using SLIM to dynamically run 'virtual project simulations,' companies can model and forecast project releases to deliver on time, within budget with > 90% estimation accuracy. Visit us at www.qsm.com.