Add Fact-based Predictions and Estimations Software Development Projects

Why in Information Technology, a field built on math, do we all too often find it so hard to forecast, predict and estimate? Looking for patterns and applying mathematical techniques to problem solving can be a very powerful tool. By applying some practical discipline, easily available tools and math patterns, you can add fact-based value to your next software development project.

Due to the many moving parts in an IT organization, there exists a huge challenge in accurately predicting testing costs and timelines. Mark Robinson, Assistant Vice President of Information Systems Administration Unit for the Ohio Casualty Group states, “Developing software systems for the insurance industry is extremely complex. A system that writes personal line policies, for example, must not only meet our own business requirements but must also support every relevant state rule and federal regulation. There are a million combinations. When you have a system that complex with that many variables, the testing effort is monumental 1 .”

Couple the above with the massive quantity of software (over 8 billion lines of software code developed and or modified each year 2 ), and the complexity of teams developing software globally, quality is a daunting issue! We are going to D.A.R.E to help.

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