Quantative software risk assessment

To quantitatively measure software is a challenge since software is not as visible as hardware. The speaker created a risk model for critical flight software and ground test facilities. The model presents a quantitative approach to assess the software's quality, test efficiency, and functional criticality. The model quantitatively measures the software down to the module level, and derives a risk index to present the module's risk level. The risk index provides a quick reference for project managers to understand the status of the software quality, so to determine the budget and schedule more accurately prior to delivery. The risk index also provides the developers and testers with insight of where the problems are, and what cause the problems. With this approach, unnecessary testing was eliminated, test planning was more effective; and the risk index along with the measurements of the composite elements served as a useful tool for managing schedule and budget risk as well as allowing the designers and testers to focus on improvement areas and mitigating risks. In addition, the application of the model can promote the Capability Maturity Level of the software to levels 4 and 5. It can be used throughout the software development life cycle phases.