SMS Improvement Champion May 2008

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Issue: 008 | May 2008

Delivering Return on Investment from Software Process Improvement.
If a project-oriented viewpoint is the only one adopted, it can be difficult to directly relate improvements in software development and maintenance to the value delivered to the company. Grant Rule considers how a Lean approach to the whole process of developing business software makes this vital connection.

The measurement service you need
Organisations are unlikely to achieve lasting performance improvements without a sustained, successful, measurement regime. Measurement and improvement are “two sides of one coin”.

Yet our ESEPG survey results suggest further evidence that many organisations still struggle to implement and sustain successful software measurement programmes.

Nobody understands measurement and analysis better than SMS. We know from experience that quantitative approaches deliver real business value.

We have applied our experience to developing a comprehensive package of services to help you establish and sustain the measurement programme you need. This includes on-going “help-desk” style support using the SMS Metrics Mentor Support Service.

The content is tailored to the specific needs of your organisation and your process improvement programme.

Contact sales@measuresw.com for more information.

STRATEGIC INSIGHT

CAI Europe and SMS have combined their world-class expertise to bring you Strategic Insight - events and seminars for CxOs or Director / Vice President equivalents.

The theme of this year’s seminar is: RISKS AND REWARDS OF STRATEGIC IT SOURCING

It will be presented at the offices of Eversheds LLP in LONDON, BIRMINGHAM and LEEDS at the end of June.
Details and registration from www.strategicinsighteurope.com

Software Best Practices Webinar series - 2008

European SEPG - 10-13 June 2008

EuroSPI - 3-5 Sept 2008

UKSMA - 15-16 Oct 2008

Software Measurement: Practical Use of Function Point Analysis

SMS runs 2-day workshops offering a comprehensive introduction to your preferred functional size method. Each workshop will introduce participants to the fundamental principles of software measurement, and explain how to utilise those principles to understand, manage and measure software requirements using either IFPUG or COSMIC function point measurement.

Places cost £750 per head per 2-day workshop (excl. VAT). Book on line or contact events@measuresw.com for more details.

28th/29th May 2008
Practical Use of IFPUG 4.2

25th/26th June 2008
Practical Use of COSMIC v3.

SMS also provides training in Mk II FPA; please contact us for details. All courses can be delivered in-house and tailored to suit customer needs.

All courses held at the SMS Training Suite
124 High Street,
Edenbridge Kent.
TN8 5AY

We are 30 miles south-east of London, and 15 miles from London Gatwick airport, with good rail and road connections. Local accommodation available.

IT Challenges
Report on a survey conducted by SMS at the European SEPG conference 2007

You’re (back) fired!
Inaccurate benchmarking data can have a drastic impact on individuals. David G. Rogers reflects on an UKSMA initiative to establish the accuracy of converting SLOC to FP.

SMS News
“Both sides now.” SMS works with suppliers and customers to deliver better value from outsourcing partnerships.
“Applying software metrics” Bernard Londeix provides a personal summary of some of the issues addressed at the European Competitive Measurement Symposium 2008.

Events
Get a Strategic Insight into the risks and rewards of strategic IT sourcing.
Opportunities to share software best practice

Software Measurement and Improvement Forum

22nd May
Delivering continuous improvement
Intellect conference suite, Russell Square, London.

Delivering continuous, sustainable improvement throughout the software lifecycle presents a challenge, particularly where multiple outsourced suppliers may be involved.

This SMIF looks at the critical role of measurement for the objective management of information systems, focused on delivery of value to the customer, particularly in an outsourced context.

SMIF Programme:
“Delivering Results.”
P. Grant Rule, Managing Director, SMS Ltd.

“Metrics usage for portfolio management.”
Christine Green, EMEA Sizing and Estimating Team, EDS a/s (Denmark)

“Top 5 improvements to output-based outsourcing contracts.”
Mark Davison, formerly Performance and Quality Manager, Vodafone UK.

Attendance at SMIF is free, but must be registered in advance.

SMS NEWS
Managing an output-based contract.



SMS provided real thought leadership that allowed Vodafone UK to understand the right approach to take in what was for us new and very unfamiliar territory......

ISO20000
Recently, SMS successfully supported a major public sector supplier to obtain ISO 20000 re-certification, and embark on a programme of improvement enthusiastically received by their customers. Our client reported, “The first project to adopt the new processes and to follow the full end-to-end life cycle achieved a 29% saving on their original budget.”

Compliance with ISO 20000 Service Management standard is becoming the standard requirement for suppliers bidding for public service contracts.

How well does your organisation meet the requirements of ISO 20000? SMS can quickly assess your organisation’s current level of compliance with ISO 20000, and identify the gaps that need to be addressed in order to achieve ISO certification.
Contact Stephen Elston-Jenkins

European Competitive Measurement Symposium
The major personalities in the software metrics world were well represented at this conference, held on 5th and 6th February 2008,

The 1st ECMS provided an almost complete landscape of the applications of software metrics to an organisation’s software capability. If you missed it, Bernard Londeix provides a personal summary of some of the issues addressed.