Guidelines for Ensuring Software Supportability in Systems Developed Under the Integrated Weapon System Management Concept
Abstract
This thesis studied the software maintenance planning and practices of the pilot Integrated Weapon System Management (IWSM) programs. Before IWSM, a System Program Office (SPO) acquired an Air Force weapon system then passed it to an Air Logistics Center (ALC) for follow-on support. The ALC was forced to maintain the software despite its questionable maintainability. The SPO de- emphasized maintainability because maintenance was an ALC responsibility and building maintainable software increased development costs and lengthened schedules. The IWSM philosophy closes the gap between development and maintenance. A System Program Director (SPD), who oversees both system development and maintenance, has an inherent interest in developing maintainable software because he or she is now also responsible for supporting it. This research was accomplished through a literature review of current maintainability plans and practices, followed by a survey of the pilot IWSM programs. This information was combined to form draft guidelines for ensuring software maintainability. The draft guidelines were then validated by experts in the field of software maintenance who offered opinions and recommendations on the guidelines. The guidelines stress both up front planning and techniques for improving maintainability during software development. The final guidelines are presented.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 1993
- Accession Number
- ADA276193
Entities
People
- Anthony C. Johndro
- Forrest F. Butts Iii
Organizations
- Air Force Institute of Technology