Model-Based Tests of Truisms

Software engineering (SE) truisms capture broadlyapplicable principles of software construction. The trouble with truisms is that such general principles may not apply in specific cases. This paper tests the specificity of two SE truisms: (a) increasing software process level is a desirable goal; and (b) it is best to remove errors during the early parts of a software lifecycle. Our tests are based on two well-established SE models: (1) Boehm et.al.’s COCOMO II cost estimation model; and (2) Raffo’s discrete event software process model of a software project life cycle. After extensive simulations of these models, the TAR2 treatment learner was applied to find the model parameters that most improved the potential performance of the real-world systems being modelled. The case studies presented here showed that these truisms are clearly sub-optimal for certain projects since other factors proved to be far more critical. Hence, we advise against truism-based process improvement. T...

• Type: Conference
• Year: 2002
• Where: KBSE
• Authors: Tim Menzies, David Raffo, Siri-on Setamanit, Ying Hu, Sina Tootoonia
• Keywords: KBSE 2002, Software, Software Engineering, Software Process, Software Process Model