Empirically based risk factors for software intensive weapon system programs.

摘要

Seventy-two software intensive weapon systems programs were researched from reports that spanned over a six-year period. Of these fifty-two were deemed software intensive systems and of those thirty-nine developed significant cost, schedule or performance issues either during development or shortly after deployment. A list of seven separately published risk indicators based on industry experience from these kinds of systems was combined, scored and quantified to produce an overall ranking of areas to assess with a questionnaire. A 218-question questionnaire was developed and used to assess a major Software Intensive Weapon System Program. This questionnaire, developed from the integrated risk list, utilized a six-item Likert scale (including N/A) to help quantify specific areas of risk. The questionnaire was organized to facilitate the assessment and a video was developed to explain the purpose of the research and to help with taking the questionnaire. Results from the assessment were used to develop the leading risk indicators - both the highly positive and highly negative scored questions were used to identify areas of strength and weakness of the Assessed Program to develop a comprehensive set of questions organized around eleven Key Areas and twenty-nine Supporting Practices - the Empirical Risk Factors Assessment table. An approach is developed based on the application of these risk areas to Software Intensive Weapon System Programs to lessen the impact of shortened schedules and reduced budgets that are hallmarks for these kinds of efforts. Detailed observations are made in terms of strengths and weaknesses of the Assessed Program that provide deep insights into issues dealt with and possible mitigations.;The empirically based risk factors were assessed by two independent experts who worked for the DoD and were responsible for many Software Intensive Weapon System Program acquisition efforts. Indications from both were that these were very effective risk measures and helped to highlight specific areas of risk for these kinds of programs.