8,869 research outputs found

    Software development: A paradigm for the future

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    A new paradigm for software development that treats software development as an experimental activity is presented. It provides built-in mechanisms for learning how to develop software better and reusing previous experience in the forms of knowledge, processes, and products. It uses models and measures to aid in the tasks of characterization, evaluation and motivation. An organization scheme is proposed for separating the project-specific focus from the organization's learning and reuse focuses of software development. The implications of this approach for corporations, research and education are discussed and some research activities currently underway at the University of Maryland that support this approach are presented

    A conceptual framework for SPI evaluation

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    Software Process Improvement (SPI) encompasses the analysis and modification of the processes within software development, aimed at improving key areas that contribute to the organizations' goals. The task of evaluating whether the selected improvement path meets these goals is challenging. On the basis of the results of a systematic literature review on SPI measurement and evaluation practices, we developed a framework (SPI Measurement and Evaluation Framework (SPI-MEF)) that supports the planning and implementation of SPI evaluations. SPI-MEF guides the practitioner in scoping the evaluation, determining measures, and performing the assessment. SPI-MEF does not assume a specific approach to process improvement and can be integrated in existing measurement programs, refocusing the assessment on evaluating the improvement initiative's outcome. Sixteen industry and academic experts evaluated the framework's usability and capability to support practitioners, providing additional insights that were integrated in the application guidelines of the framework

    Semi-Annual Report to Congress for the Period of April 1, 2011 to September 30, 2011

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    [Excerpt] I am pleased to submit this Semiannual Report to Congress, which highlights the most significant activities and accomplishments of the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), Office of Inspector General (OIG) for the six-month period ending September 30, 2011. During this reporting period, our investigative work led to 226 indictments, 172 convictions, and 50.9millioninmonetaryaccomplishments.Inaddition,weissued40auditandotherreportswhich,amongotherthings,recommendedthat50.9 million in monetary accomplishments. In addition, we issued 40 audit and other reports which, among other things, recommended that 677.1 million in funds be put to better use. OIG audits and investigations continue to assess the effectiveness, efficiency, economy, and integrity of DOL’s programs and operations. We also continue to investigate the influence of labor racketeering and/or organized crime with respect to internal union affairs, employee benefit plans, and labor-management relations. In the employment and training area, an OIG audit of Recovery Act funds spent on green jobs found that with 61 percent of the training grant periods having elapsed, grantees have achieved just 10 percent of their job placement goals. We recommended that the Employment and Training Administration (ETA) evaluate the program and obtain estimates of the need for the remaining 327millionofunspentgrantfunds.AnotherOIGauditfoundthatETAneedstobetterensurethattheJobCorps’outreachandadmissionsserviceprovidersenrollonlyeligiblestudents.IfETA’srecentandplannedchangestotheJobCorps’studentenrollmentprocessareeffectivelyimplemented,thenweestimatethatnearly327 million of unspent grant funds. Another OIG audit found that ETA needs to better ensure that the Job Corps’ outreach and admissions service providers enroll only eligible students. If ETA’s recent and planned changes to the Job Corps’ student enrollment process are effectively implemented, then we estimate that nearly 165 million in funds could be put to better use by ensuring only eligible students are enrolled. Another audit estimated that up to 124millioninWorkforceInvestmentActfundingwasspentontrainingparticipantswhodidnotobtaintraining−relatedemployment,orinformationwasinsufficienttomakethedeterminationthattraining−relatedemploymentwasobtained.AnOIGinvestigationfoundapatternofmisconductinvolvingtheVeterans’EmploymentandTrainingServices(VETS)AssistantSecretaryandtwootherseniorVETSofficials,whichreflectedaconsistentdisregardofFederalprocurementrulesandregulations.TheAssistantSecretaryandhisChiefofStaffresignedfollowingtheissuanceofourreport.OurinvestigationscontinuedtoidentifyvulnerabilitiesandfraudinDOLprograms.Forexample,aninvestigationresultedintwobusinessownersbeingsentencedtomorethanthreeyearsinprisonandorderedtoforfeit124 million in Workforce Investment Act funding was spent on training participants who did not obtain training-related employment, or information was insufficient to make the determination that training-related employment was obtained. An OIG investigation found a pattern of misconduct involving the Veterans’ Employment and Training Services (VETS) Assistant Secretary and two other senior VETS officials, which reflected a consistent disregard of Federal procurement rules and regulations. The Assistant Secretary and his Chief of Staff resigned following the issuance of our report. Our investigations continued to identify vulnerabilities and fraud in DOL programs. For example, an investigation resulted in two business owners being sentenced to more than three years in prison and ordered to forfeit 2.8 million as a result of their roles in an H-1B visa fraud conspiracy. Another investigation resulted in the owner of a medical practice group being sentenced to serve more than a year in prison and ordered to pay more than 2.5millioninrestitutionforfraudulentbillingsthatweresubmittedtoDOL’sOfficeofWorkers’CompensationPrograms,Medicaid,Medicare,andprivateinsurancecompanies.OIGinvestigationsalsocontinuetocombatlaborracketeeringintheworkplace.Forexample,onemajorinvestigationresultedinthesentencingoftheformersecretary−treasureroftheDistrictCouncilofCarpentersto11yearsinprisonandrestitutionof2.5 million in restitution for fraudulent billings that were submitted to DOL’s Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs, Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurance companies. OIG investigations also continue to combat labor racketeering in the workplace. For example, one major investigation resulted in the sentencing of the former secretary-treasurer of the District Council of Carpenters to 11 years in prison and restitution of 5.7 million for receiving prohibited payments from contractors to allow the underpayment of contributions to the union-sponsored benefit plans, resulting in financial harm to union members. Another OIG investigation led to a former Plumbers Union worker being sentenced to three and one-half years in prison, among other things, after pleading guilty to charges of theft from an employee benefit plan and embezzlement of approximately $412,000 in union dues. The OIG remains committed to promoting the integrity, effectiveness, and efficiency of DOL. I would like to express my gratitude to the professional and dedicated OIG staff for their significant achievements during this reporting period. I look forward to continuing to work with the Department to ensure the integrity of programs and that the rights and benefits of worker and retirees are protected

    Software component testing : a standard and the effectiveness of techniques

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    This portfolio comprises two projects linked by the theme of software component testing, which is also often referred to as module or unit testing. One project covers its standardisation, while the other considers the analysis and evaluation of the application of selected testing techniques to an existing avionics system. The evaluation is based on empirical data obtained from fault reports relating to the avionics system. The standardisation project is based on the development of the BC BSI Software Component Testing Standard and the BCS/BSI Glossary of terms used in software testing, which are both included in the portfolio. The papers included for this project consider both those issues concerned with the adopted development process and the resolution of technical matters concerning the definition of the testing techniques and their associated measures. The test effectiveness project documents a retrospective analysis of an operational avionics system to determine the relative effectiveness of several software component testing techniques. The methodology differs from that used in other test effectiveness experiments in that it considers every possible set of inputs that are required to satisfy a testing technique rather than arbitrarily chosen values from within this set. The three papers present the experimental methodology used, intermediate results from a failure analysis of the studied system, and the test effectiveness results for ten testing techniques, definitions for which were taken from the BCS BSI Software Component Testing Standard. The creation of the two standards has filled a gap in both the national and international software testing standards arenas. Their production required an in-depth knowledge of software component testing techniques, the identification and use of a development process, and the negotiation of the standardisation process at a national level. The knowledge gained during this process has been disseminated by the author in the papers included as part of this portfolio. The investigation of test effectiveness has introduced a new methodology for determining the test effectiveness of software component testing techniques by means of a retrospective analysis and so provided a new set of data that can be added to the body of empirical data on software component testing effectiveness

    Exploring the Software Verification and Validation Process with Focus on Efficient Fault Detection

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    Quality is an aspect of high importance in software development projects. The software organizations have to ensure that the quality of their developed products is what the customers expect. Thus, the organizations have to verify that the product is functioning as expected and validate that the product is what the customers expect. Empirical studies have shown that in many software development projects as much as half of the projected schedule is spent on the verification and validation activities. The research in this thesis focuses on exploring the state of practice of the verification and validation process and investigating methods for achieving efficient fault detection during the software development. The thesis aims at increasing the understanding of the activities conducted to verify and validate the software products, by the means of empirical research in the software engineering domain. A survey of eleven Swedish software development organizations investigates the current state of practice of the verification and validation activities, and how these activities are managed today. The need for communicating and visualising the verification and validation process was expressed during the survey. Therefore the usefulness of process simulations was evaluated in the thesis. The simulations increased the understanding of the relationships between different activities among the involved participants. In addition, an experiment was conducted to compare the performance of the two verification and validation activities, inspection and testing. In the future work, empirical research, including experiment results, will be used for calibration and validation of simulation models, with focus on using simulation as a method for decision support in the verification and validation process
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