Reference no: EM133067032

COMP1833 Software Quality Management - University of Greenwich

Question 1 a) Managing large projects depends on the use of project methodologies. A key aspect of these is the process of planning. Describe and critique the planning process.

b) Project planning depends on good estimates. Critically evaluate this statement and then review the main techniques for estimation clearly stating their advantages and disadvantages.

c) In his seminal paper ‘No Silver Bullet, Essence and Accidents of Software Engineering', published in 1986, Brook's put forward the argument that software engineering will always be a hard activity with unpredictable results.

In his analysis Brooks categorised the difficulties in software engineering as being either essential or accidental. Discuss the four essential difficulties.

Question 2. a) Assume that you are managing a project that is running out of control. You have decided to construct a decision tree to numerically assess the various options for bringing the project back on track.

Option 1: Outsourcing the user interface design will cost money but save time. You estimate it will cost £200,000 but there is only a 75% chance that they deliver as required. The remaining 25% of the time we will be required to spend an additional
£60,000 adjusting the interface.

Option 2: Employing two additional staff will cost £100,000 and will likely succeed 25% of the time, enhancing this to include a senior developer costs £160,000 and will succeed 50% of the time, and a worst case involves four extra staff and costs £240,000.

Option 3: Pushing existing staff harder, demanding additional work and late nights could potentially cost only £25,000 but will only succeed 40% of the time. The remaining 60% of the time we will have to outsource which will cost £300,000.

Draw a decision tree and discuss the various options.

b) The British Computer Society (BCS) code of conduct is divided into the following four sections, Public Interest, Duty to Relevant Authority, Duty to the Profession and Professional Competence and Integrity. Explain each of the four sections of the BCS code of conduct and explain why they are important for software engineering.

c) Briefly critique either TOGAF or Extreme Programming in the context of software engineering. Your answer should briefly describe the technique, explain how it can be applied and provide a critique of its use in Software Engineering.

Your answer should ONLY evaluate one of the techniques.

Question 3. a) The Software Engineering Institute's Capability Maturity Model (SEI CMM) has been shown to significantly reduce the risk of project overruns and challenges.

i) Describe the first three stages of the model detailing the characteristics and key challenges for each level

ii) Discuss the main critisms of the SEI CMM.

b) Critically discuss the weaknesses and benefits of agile methods and traditional staged methodologies for software development. Contrast the two approaches and in doing so identify any strengths and weaknesses of the methodologies in your answer.

Attachment:- Software Quality Management.rar