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GENSIM 2.0: a customizable process simulation model for software process evaluation

Keyvan, Khosrovian ; Pfahl, Dietmar LU and Vahid, Garousi (2008) International Conference on Software Process, ICSP 2008 , May 10-11 5007. p.294-306
Abstract
Software process analysis and improvement relies heavily on empirical research. Empirical research requires measurement, experimentation, and modeling. Moreover, whatever evidence is gained via empirical research is strongly context dependent. Thus, it is hard to combine results and capitalize upon them in order to improve software development processes in evolving development environments. The process simulation model GENSIM 2.0 addresses these challenges. Compared to existing process simulation models in the literature, the novelty of GENSIM 2.0 is twofold: (1) The model structure is customizable to organization-specific processes. This is achieved by using a limited set of macro-patterns. (2) Model parameters can be easily calibrated to... (More)
Software process analysis and improvement relies heavily on empirical research. Empirical research requires measurement, experimentation, and modeling. Moreover, whatever evidence is gained via empirical research is strongly context dependent. Thus, it is hard to combine results and capitalize upon them in order to improve software development processes in evolving development environments. The process simulation model GENSIM 2.0 addresses these challenges. Compared to existing process simulation models in the literature, the novelty of GENSIM 2.0 is twofold: (1) The model structure is customizable to organization-specific processes. This is achieved by using a limited set of macro-patterns. (2) Model parameters can be easily calibrated to available empirical data and expert knowledge. This is achieved by making the internal model structures explicit and by providing guidance on how to calibrate model parameters. This paper outlines the structure of GENSIM 2.0, shows examples of how to calibrate the simulator to available empirical data, and demonstrates its usefulness through two application scenarios. In those scenarios, GENSIM 2.0 is used to rank feasible combinations of verification and validation (V&V) techniques with regards to their impact on project duration, product quality and resource consumption. Though results confirm the expectation that doing more V&V earlier is generally beneficial to all project performance dimensions, the exact rankings are sensitive to project context. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
; and
publishing date
type
Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding
publication status
published
subject
host publication
Making Globally Distributed Software Development a Success Story / Lecture notes in computer science
volume
5007
pages
294 - 306
publisher
Springer
conference name
International Conference on Software Process, ICSP 2008 , May 10-11
conference location
Leipzig, Germany
conference dates
2008-05-10 - 2008-05-11
external identifiers
  • scopus:44649163405
ISSN
0302-9743
1611-3349
DOI
10.1007/978-3-540-79588-9_26
language
English
LU publication?
no
id
8a4ee80c-d137-4e4b-9236-feb27e17e055 (old id 1662036)
date added to LUP
2016-04-01 11:39:01
date last changed
2024-04-08 08:10:46
@inproceedings{8a4ee80c-d137-4e4b-9236-feb27e17e055,
  abstract     = {{Software process analysis and improvement relies heavily on empirical research. Empirical research requires measurement, experimentation, and modeling. Moreover, whatever evidence is gained via empirical research is strongly context dependent. Thus, it is hard to combine results and capitalize upon them in order to improve software development processes in evolving development environments. The process simulation model GENSIM 2.0 addresses these challenges. Compared to existing process simulation models in the literature, the novelty of GENSIM 2.0 is twofold: (1) The model structure is customizable to organization-specific processes. This is achieved by using a limited set of macro-patterns. (2) Model parameters can be easily calibrated to available empirical data and expert knowledge. This is achieved by making the internal model structures explicit and by providing guidance on how to calibrate model parameters. This paper outlines the structure of GENSIM 2.0, shows examples of how to calibrate the simulator to available empirical data, and demonstrates its usefulness through two application scenarios. In those scenarios, GENSIM 2.0 is used to rank feasible combinations of verification and validation (V&V) techniques with regards to their impact on project duration, product quality and resource consumption. Though results confirm the expectation that doing more V&V earlier is generally beneficial to all project performance dimensions, the exact rankings are sensitive to project context.}},
  author       = {{Keyvan, Khosrovian and Pfahl, Dietmar and Vahid, Garousi}},
  booktitle    = {{Making Globally Distributed Software Development a Success Story / Lecture notes in computer science}},
  issn         = {{0302-9743}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  pages        = {{294--306}},
  publisher    = {{Springer}},
  title        = {{GENSIM 2.0: a customizable process simulation model for software process evaluation}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-79588-9_26}},
  doi          = {{10.1007/978-3-540-79588-9_26}},
  volume       = {{5007}},
  year         = {{2008}},
}