The risk management model was created and validated by the instructor for NASA. The
model was created to meet the challenge of the prevailing schedule/cost constraints
without sacrificing product quality for highly safety-critical space flight software.
The model, which has been applied to critical NASA flight software and ground test
facilities, presents a quantitative approach to assessing the software's quality, test
efficiency, and functional criticality. It can be used throughout the software development
life cycle phases.
The model quantitatively measures the software down to the module level, and derives a
risk index to present the module's risk level. The risk index provides a quick reference
for project managers to understand the status of the software quality, so as to determine
the budget and schedule more accurately prior to delivery. The risk index also provides
the developers and testers with insight into where the problems are, and what causes the
problems. With this approach, unnecessary testing was eliminated and test planning was
more effective. The risk index along with the measurements of the composite elements
served as a useful tool for managing schedule and budget risk and allowed the designers
and testers to focus on improvement areas and mitigating risks. In addition, the
application of the model can promote the Capability Maturity Level of the software to
levels 4 and 5.
The assessment work is performed with automated tools. Part I of this seminar describes
the concept, approach, and methodology of the risk model. The quality measurement tool
will also be introduced in-depth. Part II of the seminar will discuss in detail a more
efficient approach for software testing and maintenance.
