Managing Software Acquisition: Open Systems and COTS Products (Sei Series in Software Engineering) - Softcover

Meyers, B. Craig; Oberndorf, Patricia

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0201704544 ISBN 13: 9780201704549

Publisher: Addison Wesley, 2001

Synopsis

The acquisition of open systems and commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) products is an increasingly vital element of corporate and government software development. Properly managed software acquisition offers potential for significant time and cost savings over a system's lifetime. The transition from proprietary, custom-built systems to systems based on standards and commercial products is not easy, however. Managers and their staff must understand the risks and opportunities associated with this acquisition approach.

Managing Software Acquisition presents the fundamental principles and best practices for successful acquisition of open, COTS-based systems. It explores the many opportunities and challenges of this approach, defines key terms, anticipates potential problems, and discusses the effect of software acquisition on the manager's job. The information presented addresses critical concerns affecting the entire software industry; it also discusses important issues particular to government acquisition.

Managing Software Acquisition moves from a broad overview of the topic to experience-based advice on managing the transition and more detailed information on acquisition. You will find coverage of such topics as:

• Promises and pitfalls of open, COTS-based system acquisition
• Implications for industry and government--quality, loss of control, and risk
• Reference models, architectures, and standards for open systems and COTS products
• Implications for cost, schedule, performance, and staff
• Engineering practices, including defining requirements, integration, testing, deployment, and support
• Contracting strategies and relationships with vendors
• Integrated acquisition using standards and COTS products

Each major section concludes with realistic, open-ended exercises that illustrate vital issues confronting software acquisition managers. In addition, the book includes an extensive reference section containing a glossary, list of acronyms, sample questions to help organizations evaluate their needs, and more.

0201704544B05222001

About this title

About the Author

B. Craig Meyers is a key figure at Carnegie-Mellon University's Software Engineering Institute (SEI), where he is involved in training and consulting on the acquisition of open, COTS-based systems. Patricia Oberndorf is a key figure at Carnegie-Mellon University's Software Engineering Institute (SEI), where she is involved in training and consulting on the acquisition of open, COTS-based systems.

0201704544AB04062001

From the Back Cover

The acquisition of open systems and commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) products is an increasingly vital element of corporate and government software development. Properly managed software acquisition offers potential for significant time and cost savings over a system's lifetime. The transition from proprietary, custom-built systems to systems based on standards and commercial products is not easy, however. Managers and their staff must understand the risks and opportunities associated with this acquisition approach.

Managing Software Acquisition presents the fundamental principles and best practices for successful acquisition of open, COTS-based systems. It explores the many opportunities and challenges of this approach, defines key terms, anticipates potential problems, and discusses the effect of software acquisition on the manager's job. The information presented addresses critical concerns affecting the entire software industry; it also discusses important issues particular to government acquisition.

Managing Software Acquisition moves from a broad overview of the topic to experience-based advice on managing the transition and more detailed information on acquisition. You will find coverage of such topics as:

• Promises and pitfalls of open, COTS-based system acquisition
• Implications for industry and government--quality, loss of control, and risk
• Reference models, architectures, and standards for open systems and COTS products
• Implications for cost, schedule, performance, and staff
• Engineering practices, including defining requirements, integration, testing, deployment, and support
• Contracting strategies and relationships with vendors
• Integrated acquisition using standards and COTS products

Each major section concludes with realistic, open-ended exercises that illustrate vital issues confronting software acquisition managers. In addition, the book includes an extensive reference section containing a glossary, list of acronyms, sample questions to help organizations evaluate their needs, and more.

0201704544B06052001

Edition details

• Publisher: Addison Wesley
• Publication date: 2001
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0201704544
• ISBN 13: 9780201704549
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 400