Capers Jones - The Economics of Software Quality

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Jones, Capers.
The economics of software quality / Capers Jones, Olivier Bonsignour
p. cm.
ISBN 978-0-13-258220-9 (hardcover: alk. Paper) 1. Computer softwareQuality control
Economic aspects. 2. Software maintenanceEconomic aspects. 3. Computer software
Validation. 4. Computer softwareverification. I. Subramanyam, Jitendra. II. Title.
QA76.76.Q35J674 2012
005.14dc23
20110145858

Copyright 2012 Pearson Education, Inc.

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ISBN-13: 978-0-13-258220-9
ISBN-10: 0-13-258220-1

Text printed in the United States on recycled paper at Courier in Westford, Massachusetts.

First printing, July 2011

This book is dedicated to Watts Humphrey and Allan Albrecht. Watts was a tireless champion of software quality. Allan developed the most effective metric for studying software quality economics.

This book provides the best treatment on the subject of economics of software quality that Ive seen. Peppered with valuable industry data, in-depth analysis, empirical methods for quality improvement, and economic analysis of quality, this book is a must-read for anyone who is interested in this subject. With the many real-life and up-to-date examples and stories linking software quality to daily-life activities, readers will find this book an enjoyable read.

Stephen H. Kan, Senior Technical Staff Member and Program Manager, Software QualityIBM Systems and Technology Group, and author of Metrics and Models in Software Quality Engineering

Finally, a book that defines the cost and economics of software quality and their relationship to business value. Facts such as the inability of testing alone to produce quality software, the value of engineering-in quality, and the positive ROI are illustrated in compelling ways. Additionally, this book is a must-read for understanding, managing, and eliminating technical debt from software systems.

Dan Galorath, CEO, Galorath Incorporated & SEER by Galorath

Congrats to Capers and Olivier as they release their relevant, extensive, and timely research on the costs of defects in todays software industry. The authors dont stop with the causes of defects; they explore injection points, removal, and prevention approaches to avoid the technical mortgage associated with defective software products. In todays quick-to-market world, an emphasis on strengthening the engineering in software engineering is refreshing. If youre a software developer, manager, student, or user, this book will challenge your perspective on software quality. Many thanks!

Joe Schofield, Sandia National Laboratories; Vice President, IFPUG; CQA, CFPS, CSMS, LSS BB, SEI-certified instructor

Whether consulting, working on projects, or teaching, whenever I need credible, detailed, relevant metrics and insights into the current capabilities and performance of the software engineering profession, I always turn to Capers Joness work first. In this important new book, he and Olivier Bonsignour make the hard-headed, bottom-line, economic case, with facts and data, about why software quality is so important. I know Ill turn to this excellent reference again and again.

Rex Black, President, RBCS (www.rbcs-us.com), and author of seven books on software quality and testing, including Managing the Testing Process, Third Edition

This masterpiece of a book will empower those who invest in softwareand the businesses and products that depend on itto do so wisely. It is a groundbreaking work that rigorously applies principles of finance, economics, management, quality, and productivity to scrutinize holistically the value propositions and myths underlying the vast sums invested in software. A must-read if you want to get your moneys worth from your software investments.

Leon A. Kappelman, Professor of Information Systems, College of Business, University of North Texas

Capers Jones is the foremost leader in the software industry today for software metrics. The Economics of Software Quality is a comprehensive, data-rich study of challenges of quality software across the many application domains. It is an essential read for software quality professionals who wish to better understand the challenges they face and the cost and effectiveness of potential solutions. It is clear that much research and thought has been put into this.

Maysa-Maria Peterson Lach, Senior Principal Software Engineer, Raytheon Missile Systems

In no other walk of life do we resist the necessity and validity of precise, rigorous measurement, as software practitioners have so vigorously resisted for more than fifty years. Capers Jones took up the challenge of bringing sanity and predictability to software production more than three decades ago, and now with Olivier Bonsignour, he brings forth his latest invaluable expression of confidence in applying standard engineering and economic discipline to what too often remains the Wild, Wild West of software development.

Douglas Brindley, President & CEO, Software Productivity Research, LLC

As a major telecommunications company, our business consists of a complex mix of products and services. Some are decades old, and some are only emerging. In just one part of our business, customers now access sophisticated business processes via myriad mobile devices operating on multiple platforms, technologies, and standards. The mobile access revolution is only one example of the continual change we must master. In several of our new markets, some of our competitors were not even on the radar ten years ago.