Succesful IT projects really do exist

We regularly encounter failed IT projects in the news headlines, feeding the perception that it is virtually impossible to finish an IT project succesfully.

It is true that still (too) many IT projects fail, but there are plenty examples that have completed succesfully. From those succesful IT projects we could learn a lot about the factors that lead to success, rather than trying to avoid known pitfalls. That's why I have done a retrospect and noted several observations that can support more IT projects to be succesful.

Succesful IT projects really do exist!

Adoption of the EPS-framework for packaged software estimation

 

On the IWSM 2012 conference in Assisi in October last year the NESMA presented the EPS-framework for the estimation of packaged software. A working group of NESMA has developed this estimating framework which supports the estimation of all costs related to the implementation and maintenance of packaged software. This framework can be the reference for comparison and benchmarking of package software estimates. The details for all six stages will be ready at the end of this year, but Comarch from Poland has already adopted the framework for some of their package implementation offers.

 

 

 

From rules to principles : COSMIC



Up to 1998 all methods to express functional size of software were rule-based. Performing the measurement rules led to a number of points that we call the size. Whether they were object points, use case points or function points, all these methods have a measurement procedure to award a part of the Fuctional User Requirements that satisfies a number of assessment criteria, with a defined number of points. To determine the number of points you must apply the rules. A group of people who were involved in the conception of ISO/IEC 14143 wanted to use the principles they had described to create a new generation of Functional Size Measurement method with a clear and defined measurement unit. Based on that unit a method could be created, based on principles to identify instances of that unit, rather than on rules. Out of that process, COSMIC was born.

Here is a piece of COSMIC history.

What is a second generation FSM method

Every now and again there is debate amongst practitioners of Functional Size Measurement about the best Functional Size Measurement method. In essence there is nothing wrong with such a debate.

Professionals should always be seeking ways to improve their profession. Discussions about the best way to do so are a logical part of such a quest. But they should be done based on the right arguments. And one of those arguments is often wrong in my point of view. That is the generation argument. I notice that there is a lot of misconception about what is meant with generation in relation to Functional Size Measurement. In my blogpost of January I discussed the first generation. In this one I will discuss the second generation of Functional Size Measurement.

The first generation of Functional Size Measurement

Every now and again there is debate amongst the practitioners of Functional Size Measurement about the best Functional Size Measurement method. In essence there is nothing wrong with such a debate.

Professionals should always be seeking ways to improve their profession. Discussions about the best way to do so are a logical part of such a quest. But they should be done based on the right arguments. And one of those arguments is often wrong in my point of view. That is the generation argument. I notice that there is a lot of misconception about what is meant with generation in relation to Functional Size Measurement.

 

Most used Functional Size Measurement methods

What are the most used Functional Size Measurement methods. Most people can quickly come up with the five methods that are standardized by ISO, but what else is there. Here is the Top 20 - in alphabetical order from Capers Jones, taken from the third edition of Applied Software Measurement. Since this book was published in 2008, I have added some new kids on the block.