MANAGING DEVELOPMENT PRODUCTIVITY OF THE COMPUTER AIDED SOFTWARE ENGINEERING (CASE) PROCESS WITH DYNAMIC LIFE CYCLE TRAJECTORY METRICS

Abstract

This paper proposes a new vision for the measurement and management of development productivity related to computer aided software engineering (CASE) technology. We propose that they be monitored and controlled via the application of dynamic software development "life cycle trajectory metrics." This view develops out of management accounting approaches for process control and recent advances in CASE technology that make automated measurement possible. We suggest that current approaches involve the use of "static metrics” for estimation and evaluation, with the result that the depth of the insights they can provide to management is necessarily limited. They only provide "point estimates” of output or productivity at the beginning and end of the project. Yet to manage software development proactively for improved efficiency and effectiveness, management needs to track the range of activities and effort across the entire software development life cycle. This can only be accomplished when timely and relevant information is obtained about the software size output, as well as costs, via “dynamic metrics,” which provide a richer phase-by-phase view.