Using software development progress data to understand threats to project outcomes

Tracy Hall*, Austen Rainer, Dorota Jagielska

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

1 Citation (Scopus)

Abstract

In this paper we describe our on-going longitudinal study of a large complex software development project. We discuss how we used project metrics data collected by the development team to identify threats to project outcomes. Identifying and addressing threats to projects early in the development process should significantly reduce the chances of project failure. We have analysed project data to pinpoint the sources of threats to the project. The data we have used is embedded in the project's fortnightly progress reports produced by the project team. The progress reports are part of the software measurement program this company operates. The company has highly mature development processes which were assessed at CMM level 5 in 2004. Our analysis shows that standard project progress data can generate rich insights into the project; insights that go beyond those anticipated when the metrics were originally specified. Our results reveal a pattern of threats to the project that the project team can focus on mitigating. The project team is already aware of some threats, for example that communication with the customer is a significant threat to the project. But there are other threats the team is not aware of, for example that people issues within the software team are not a significant threat to the project.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationProceedings - 11th IEEE International Software Metrics Symposium, METRICS 2005
Pages155-164
Number of pages10
Volume2005
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 01 Dec 2005
Externally publishedYes
Event11th IEEE International Software Metrics Symposium, METRICS 2005 - Como, Italy
Duration: 19 Sept 200522 Sept 2005

Conference

Conference11th IEEE International Software Metrics Symposium, METRICS 2005
Country/TerritoryItaly
CityComo
Period19/09/200522/09/2005

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Engineering

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