Characterizing and Modeling the Cost of Rework in a Library of Reusable Software Components

V. Basili, S. Condon, K. El Emam, R. Hendrik, and W. L. Melo

Proc. of the 19th Int'l Conf. on Software Engineering, Boston, MA, May 1997. IEEE Press.

Abstract:

In this paper we characterize and model the cost of rework in a Component Factory (CF) organization. A CF is responsible for developing and packaging reusable software components. Data was collected on corrective maintenance activities for the Generalized Support Software reuse asset library located at the Flight Dynamics Division of NASA's GSFC. We then constructed a predictive model of the cost of rework using the C4.5 system for generating a logical classification model. The predictor variables for the model are measures of internal software product attributes. The model demonstrates good prediction accuracy, and can be used by managers to allocate resources for corrective maintenance activities. Furthermore, we used the model to generate proscriptive coding guidelines to improve programming practices so that the cost of rework can be reduced in the future. The general approach we have used is applicable to other environments.

Copyright 1997 IEEE. Published in the Proceedings of the 19th International Conference on Software Engineering (ICSE-19), May1997, Boston, MA. Personal use of this material is permitted. However, permission to reprint/republish this material for advertising or promotional purposes or for creating new collective works for resale or redistribution to servers or lists, or to reuse any copyrighted component of this work in other works, must be obtained from the IEEE.

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Last updated on March 30, 1999 by Walcélio Melo