Software Management: Current Trends and a Navy Application.
Abstract
Management of embedded computer software in weapon systems is an important and current consideration. A large portion of the Defense budget is spent in software acquisition and support and the management techniques for making this a productive and cost effective process must be developed. This paper addresses the issue from two aspects. First, a study of the current trends in software management was conducted with particular emphasis on DoD sponsored activities. This phase was conducted by studying the current literature and DoD publications concerned with software management. Secondly, the software management and development approach being taken in the Navy's AEGIS Combat System was studied. This aspect of the report was conducted through personal interviews with representatives of the AEGIS Program Office and the Navy Lead Laboratory (Dahlgren, Virginia) and through an in-depth study of the available documentation. Conclusions reached in this report include the identification of some major cornerstones that have the common goal of converting an art form into technology by application of sound planning, implementation, and monitoring techniques. One must consider the intangible nature of software to understand the problems that have plagued its management. It is now realized that the powerful black art cannot be practiced in a vacuum when it represents such a large contribution to the system in which it resides.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 1977
- Accession Number
- ADA042937
Entities
People
- Harold W. Taylor Jr
Organizations
- Defense Systems Management College