Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
jects in terms of application sizing as well as predictions for risk, quality, schedule,
staffing, cost, and maintenance.
Namcook patents are based on the use of pattern matching, which allows un-
usually early sizing and risk analysis. For example, the company's main predictive
tool, Software Risk Master (SRM), can predict software project outcomes prior to
full requirements, which is perhaps six months earlier than other methods of size
prediction. The predictions are also rapid and average about 90 seconds per ap-
plication regardless of its nominal size.
Pattern matching with SRM uses a proprietary questionnaire to gather inform-
ation on new or planned software applications. The answers to the questions form
a “pattern.” This pattern is then used to extract results from the Namcook know-
ledge base of around 15,000 completed projects. The results of the historical pro-
jects with the same or similar patterns provide the base for the predictions of the
new application.
The same questionnaire, augmented by data collection of project schedule,
cost, staffing, and quality results for completed projects, is used to add new pro-
jects to the Namcook knowledge base.
Although pattern matching is a new method for software sizing and estimating,
it is common in other industries. For example, the Zillow database of national real
estate listings, discussed in the previous chapter, allows clients to look at the as-
sessed values of homes similar to their own. This is useful in appealing possible
errors in appraisals, which occur often. Users of Zillow utilize pattern matching to
select comparable properties with similar size, age, layouts, construction, scenic
views, and other topics that impact tax assessments.
Mathematical interpolation of projects without an exact match is a necessary
feature. With 122 discrete elements in the Namcook SRM taxonomy, the permuta-
tions total to 214,200,000 possible patterns. Needless to say, more than half of
these patterns have never occurred and will never occur. For the current software
industry, the total number of patterns that occur with relatively high frequency is
much smaller: about 20,000.
New patterns occur from time to time, as when new programming languages
are used or when new methods are developed. (New programming languages ap-
pear almost monthly; new development methods occur at least once per year.) The
SRM tool has a measurement mode that allows it to collect historical data and
therefore absorb new technologies as they occur.
Search WWH ::
Custom Search