They Write the Right Stuff

http://www.fastcompany.com/online/06/writestuff.html

This case describes the software development group that produces software so mission-critical that space shuttle astronaut could die if the software contains bugs. This is one of very few software development groups that operates at level 5 on the Software Engineering Institute's capability maturity model.

Questions:

1. Use the WCA framework to summarize this group's system of developing software.

2. Explain how this system and its product are evaluated in the case in terms of the process performance variables discussed in Chapter 3 and the product performance variables discussed in Chapter 6. Explain whether any important performance variables are omitted or downplayed.

3. Explain how the perspectives of infrastructure, context, and risk are discussed in the case.

4. Assume you were a top manager in company that owns several department stores. Explain the extent to which you would want the company's software development group to operate like the space shuttle group. Explain whether your answer would change if you were a top manager at a bank or brokerage firm.

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