Home > Store

Dare to be Excellent: Case Studies of Software Engineering Practices That Work

Register your product to gain access to bonus material or receive a coupon.

Dare to be Excellent: Case Studies of Software Engineering Practices That Work

Book

  • Sorry, this book is no longer in print.
Not for Sale

Description

  • Copyright 1999
  • Dimensions: 6" x 9"
  • Pages: 384
  • Edition: 1st
  • Book
  • ISBN-10: 0-13-081156-4
  • ISBN-13: 978-0-13-081156-1

No matter what anyone says, you can build extraordinarily high-quality software - and this book shows you exactly how the world's best software development organizations are doing it. The best practices described in this book cover the entire software lifecycle. Each chapter describes a real-world problem, and how it was identified, addressed and fixed. Coverage includes project planning, metrics, inspections, software reliability; unit, system and acceptance testing; design and construction, release control, post-implementation reviews and more. This will be an invaluable resource for anyone involved in software development, including developers, testers and project managers.

Sample Content

Downloadable Sample Chapter

Click here for a sample chapter for this book: 0130811564.pdf

Table of Contents



1. REQUIREMENTS (Texas Instruments)

Company Profile. Basic Concepts of Requirements. Reasons To Implement. Elicitation And Analysis Of Di Business Requirements. Lessons Learned. Conclusions.



2. PROJECT PLANNING (Intel Corporation)

Company Profile. Intel Corporation's Landesk Products. Anti-Virus Products. Anti-Viral (AV)Technologies. Virus Protection Software. The Revival Plan. Cultural Issues. The Result—a New Generation of Award-Winning, Sustainable LDVP Products. Lessons Learned. Conclusions.



3. TECHNOLOGY PROJECT MANAGEMENT PROCESS

(PKS Information Services) Company Profile. Reasons to Implement. Company Philosophy. Technology Project Management Process. Culture Change. Implementation. Final Results. Lessons Learned. Conclusions. TPMP Sample.



4. PROJECT SUPPORT OFFICE (Royal Bank Financial Group)

Company Profile. Reasons To Implement. Culture Change. Project Office. Challenges. Customer Satisfaction. Conclusions.



5. INSPECTIONS AS AN AGENT OF CHANGE

(Primark Investment Management Services Limited) Company Profile. Reasons to Implement. Measures of Software Quality. What Do We Mean By Process? How Did We Get Started? Lessons Learned. Culture Change. Strategic Plans. Challenges. Conclusions.



6. SOFTWARE RELIABILITY ENGINEERING

(Digital Technology International) Company Profile. Basic Concepts and Goals of Software Reliability Engineering. Reasons To Implement. Solutions To the Problem. Culture Change. Project Plan/Time-Line. Implemention. Results. Lessons Learned. Conclusions.



7. RELEASE PLANNING (Cisco Systems)

Company Profile. Reasons To Implement. Release Process. Culture Change. Lessons Learned. Conclusions.



8. RELEASE METRICS (TANDEM Telecom Network Solutions)

Company Profile. Introduction. Reasons for Implementation. Obtaining Buy-In. Assessing Measurements. Description of the Rating. Calculating the Confidence Rating. Implementation. Release Management in Action. Results. Lessons Learned. Conclusions.



9. CREATION OF A SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT PROCESS HANDBOOK

(Phoenix Technologies Limited) Company Profile. Why Phoenix Created a Process Handbook. Cultural Issues. Drafting the Software Development Handbook. Lessons Learned. Continuous Improvement. Conclusions.



10. MANAGING CLIENT/VENDOR RELATIONSHIPS

(International Business Systems) Company Profile. Reason To Implement. Description of Process. The Handoff. Approach. Cultural Change. Project Plan/Time-Line. Results. Lessons Learned. Conclusions. Acryonyms/Abbreviations. References.



Index.

Preface

Preface

Software development has matured to the point where known engineering practices donÕt need to be defined, they need to be applied. We know what needs to happen, but the inevitable details of how to make it work are often a stumbling block. Too many times, discipline is sacrificed to competing needs and schedule constraints: Taking the time to do things may be viewed as an impractical ideal.

Nothing could be further from the truth, of course. Doing things right reaps continuous rewards that are no less valuable for being difficult to measure: reduced rework and support costs, improved time to market, and increased customer satisfaction. Because it is hard to measure the costs you avoid, but easy to track the costs you incur, the investment in process improvement may be more obvious than the rewards.

The trick is to follow the spirit of a process, not necessarily the form: depending on the size of the project and organizational environment, it may be wise to condense or circumscribe certain aspects. Fit the practice to the situation instead of the other way around.

There are quite a lot of software engineering practices in the world that are viewed to bring ÒsuccessÓ to your software development, and there are several books on theories of development practices. Often, you are at a loss to identify companies who may have implemented these theories. So, the question comes up: How do I know the theories described in a book really work? The best way to understand a process and how to implement it is through actual examples, which is what this book is all about.

The authors have extensive experience in several software engineering quality improvement techniques to know that what one large company does may not be appropriate for another small company, or that what works for a software development organization in one industrial segment may not work the same way in another. Over the years we have encountered software developers, quality assurance managers, ISO implementors, students, executives, managers, supervisors, consultants, and testers who asked us to give them examples of companies that introduced a process change and the logistics as well as the results of this change. This question inspired us to embark upon a journey to capture real scenarios.

We know most of you are faced with immediate problems of managing software development and do not have time to benchmark or improve current processes based on what has worked for others. Unfortunately, software development does not excel by implementing one or two simple techniques. It is an accumulation of many complex processes which requires integration of project controls and technical knowledge. Quality is built into software products through careful project management and processes that have been known to reduce defects and increase productivity.

Until now (this is the first!), there has been no book that describes case studies of software engineering principles under one cover. We have chosen a variety of companies, big and small, from different aspects of the overall industry such as financial, telecommunications, service, consulting, etc. Each of these companies chose a software improvement path and made a commitment to follow the path to see the ultimate results. Each company stumbled upon different road-blocks that they had to overcome.

This book presents what each company did, what their reason was for implementing the new process, what were the cultural issues, and what were the final results. So many times, we see an organization trying to implement a process change and then abnormally ending the project in search of a Òquick fix.Ó The cases of the companies represented in this book show a lot of perseverance, dedication, and good Òfollow-through.Ó The companies may not resemble your own, it is the way they applied a practice to make it succeed for them that is the most instructive: Not just what did or didnÕt work, but how and why. You can learn universal principles from the mistakes and successes of others.

This book seeks to convey an understanding of what worked in the software development process and how managing that process to obtain quality software while improving the overall productivity helped each company achieve a particular goal. Each chapter provides a comprehensive description of the process adhered by a specific company.

  • Chapter 1: Focuses on requirements.
  • Chapters 2, 3 and 4: Describe different aspects of project planning, project management, and project support office.
  • Chapter 5: Provides details of using inspections as an agent of change.
  • Chapter 6: Highlights software reliability.
  • Chapter 7: Talks about release planning.
  • Chapter 8: Gives you guidance on release metrics.
  • Chapter 9: Talks about creation of a Software Development Process Handbook.
  • Chapter 10: Discusses managing client/vendor relationships.

While we know the importance of software measurements, we have decided to direct our readers to Grady (1987).

This book captures case studies of companies who mastered an area of software development and who, by example, can guide your own efforts.

Updates

Submit Errata

More Information

InformIT Promotional Mailings & Special Offers

I would like to receive exclusive offers and hear about products from InformIT and its family of brands. I can unsubscribe at any time.

Overview


Pearson Education, Inc., 221 River Street, Hoboken, New Jersey 07030, (Pearson) presents this site to provide information about products and services that can be purchased through this site.

This privacy notice provides an overview of our commitment to privacy and describes how we collect, protect, use and share personal information collected through this site. Please note that other Pearson websites and online products and services have their own separate privacy policies.

Collection and Use of Information


To conduct business and deliver products and services, Pearson collects and uses personal information in several ways in connection with this site, including:

Questions and Inquiries

For inquiries and questions, we collect the inquiry or question, together with name, contact details (email address, phone number and mailing address) and any other additional information voluntarily submitted to us through a Contact Us form or an email. We use this information to address the inquiry and respond to the question.

Online Store

For orders and purchases placed through our online store on this site, we collect order details, name, institution name and address (if applicable), email address, phone number, shipping and billing addresses, credit/debit card information, shipping options and any instructions. We use this information to complete transactions, fulfill orders, communicate with individuals placing orders or visiting the online store, and for related purposes.

Surveys

Pearson may offer opportunities to provide feedback or participate in surveys, including surveys evaluating Pearson products, services or sites. Participation is voluntary. Pearson collects information requested in the survey questions and uses the information to evaluate, support, maintain and improve products, services or sites, develop new products and services, conduct educational research and for other purposes specified in the survey.

Contests and Drawings

Occasionally, we may sponsor a contest or drawing. Participation is optional. Pearson collects name, contact information and other information specified on the entry form for the contest or drawing to conduct the contest or drawing. Pearson may collect additional personal information from the winners of a contest or drawing in order to award the prize and for tax reporting purposes, as required by law.

Newsletters

If you have elected to receive email newsletters or promotional mailings and special offers but want to unsubscribe, simply email information@informit.com.

Service Announcements

On rare occasions it is necessary to send out a strictly service related announcement. For instance, if our service is temporarily suspended for maintenance we might send users an email. Generally, users may not opt-out of these communications, though they can deactivate their account information. However, these communications are not promotional in nature.

Customer Service

We communicate with users on a regular basis to provide requested services and in regard to issues relating to their account we reply via email or phone in accordance with the users' wishes when a user submits their information through our Contact Us form.

Other Collection and Use of Information


Application and System Logs

Pearson automatically collects log data to help ensure the delivery, availability and security of this site. Log data may include technical information about how a user or visitor connected to this site, such as browser type, type of computer/device, operating system, internet service provider and IP address. We use this information for support purposes and to monitor the health of the site, identify problems, improve service, detect unauthorized access and fraudulent activity, prevent and respond to security incidents and appropriately scale computing resources.

Web Analytics

Pearson may use third party web trend analytical services, including Google Analytics, to collect visitor information, such as IP addresses, browser types, referring pages, pages visited and time spent on a particular site. While these analytical services collect and report information on an anonymous basis, they may use cookies to gather web trend information. The information gathered may enable Pearson (but not the third party web trend services) to link information with application and system log data. Pearson uses this information for system administration and to identify problems, improve service, detect unauthorized access and fraudulent activity, prevent and respond to security incidents, appropriately scale computing resources and otherwise support and deliver this site and its services.

Cookies and Related Technologies

This site uses cookies and similar technologies to personalize content, measure traffic patterns, control security, track use and access of information on this site, and provide interest-based messages and advertising. Users can manage and block the use of cookies through their browser. Disabling or blocking certain cookies may limit the functionality of this site.

Do Not Track

This site currently does not respond to Do Not Track signals.

Security


Pearson uses appropriate physical, administrative and technical security measures to protect personal information from unauthorized access, use and disclosure.

Children


This site is not directed to children under the age of 13.

Marketing


Pearson may send or direct marketing communications to users, provided that

  • Pearson will not use personal information collected or processed as a K-12 school service provider for the purpose of directed or targeted advertising.
  • Such marketing is consistent with applicable law and Pearson's legal obligations.
  • Pearson will not knowingly direct or send marketing communications to an individual who has expressed a preference not to receive marketing.
  • Where required by applicable law, express or implied consent to marketing exists and has not been withdrawn.

Pearson may provide personal information to a third party service provider on a restricted basis to provide marketing solely on behalf of Pearson or an affiliate or customer for whom Pearson is a service provider. Marketing preferences may be changed at any time.

Correcting/Updating Personal Information


If a user's personally identifiable information changes (such as your postal address or email address), we provide a way to correct or update that user's personal data provided to us. This can be done on the Account page. If a user no longer desires our service and desires to delete his or her account, please contact us at customer-service@informit.com and we will process the deletion of a user's account.

Choice/Opt-out


Users can always make an informed choice as to whether they should proceed with certain services offered by InformIT. If you choose to remove yourself from our mailing list(s) simply visit the following page and uncheck any communication you no longer want to receive: www.informit.com/u.aspx.

Sale of Personal Information


Pearson does not rent or sell personal information in exchange for any payment of money.

While Pearson does not sell personal information, as defined in Nevada law, Nevada residents may email a request for no sale of their personal information to NevadaDesignatedRequest@pearson.com.

Supplemental Privacy Statement for California Residents


California residents should read our Supplemental privacy statement for California residents in conjunction with this Privacy Notice. The Supplemental privacy statement for California residents explains Pearson's commitment to comply with California law and applies to personal information of California residents collected in connection with this site and the Services.

Sharing and Disclosure


Pearson may disclose personal information, as follows:

  • As required by law.
  • With the consent of the individual (or their parent, if the individual is a minor)
  • In response to a subpoena, court order or legal process, to the extent permitted or required by law
  • To protect the security and safety of individuals, data, assets and systems, consistent with applicable law
  • In connection the sale, joint venture or other transfer of some or all of its company or assets, subject to the provisions of this Privacy Notice
  • To investigate or address actual or suspected fraud or other illegal activities
  • To exercise its legal rights, including enforcement of the Terms of Use for this site or another contract
  • To affiliated Pearson companies and other companies and organizations who perform work for Pearson and are obligated to protect the privacy of personal information consistent with this Privacy Notice
  • To a school, organization, company or government agency, where Pearson collects or processes the personal information in a school setting or on behalf of such organization, company or government agency.

Links


This web site contains links to other sites. Please be aware that we are not responsible for the privacy practices of such other sites. We encourage our users to be aware when they leave our site and to read the privacy statements of each and every web site that collects Personal Information. This privacy statement applies solely to information collected by this web site.

Requests and Contact


Please contact us about this Privacy Notice or if you have any requests or questions relating to the privacy of your personal information.

Changes to this Privacy Notice


We may revise this Privacy Notice through an updated posting. We will identify the effective date of the revision in the posting. Often, updates are made to provide greater clarity or to comply with changes in regulatory requirements. If the updates involve material changes to the collection, protection, use or disclosure of Personal Information, Pearson will provide notice of the change through a conspicuous notice on this site or other appropriate way. Continued use of the site after the effective date of a posted revision evidences acceptance. Please contact us if you have questions or concerns about the Privacy Notice or any objection to any revisions.

Last Update: November 17, 2020