Dr. Mark Paulk, senior author of the CMM for Software, has just completed a dissertation that has data relevant to individual programmers. I have not had time to read through it sufficiently to determine if it has data relevant to individual behaviors, but the results are interesting. The SEI is now collecting loads of data on individual programmer performance through their Personal Software Process training. Although it is not sufficient for research at the cognitive level, it does look at time and defects by type of activity. Mark's dissertation is available at: http://etd.library.pitt.edu/ETD/available/etd-07082004-155917/
An Empirical Study of Process Discipline and Software Quality Mark Christopher Paulk, PhD University of Pittsburgh, 2005 Abstract: Understanding the factors that influence software quality is crucial to the continuing maturation of the software industry; an improved understanding of software quality drivers will help software engineers and managers make more informed decisions in controlling and improving the software process. This research shows that disciplined processes significantly improve the quality of the work of competent professionals. Disciplined processes improve individual performance in software quality by a factor of about five, although individual differences of more than an order-of-magnitude remain even when disciplined processes were used. /Programmer ability/ significantly affects software quality when empirically measured; surrogates such as /years of experience /and/ highest degree attained/ were not found to be useful. Top-quartile performers improve by a factor of two or more; bottom-quartile performers improve by a factor of four or more. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- PPIG Discuss List ([email protected]) Discuss admin: http://limitlessmail.net/mailman/listinfo/discuss Announce admin: http://limitlessmail.net/mailman/listinfo/announce PPIG Discuss archive: http://www.mail-archive.com/discuss%40ppig.org/
