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Center for Software Engineering Presents Los Angeles Software Process Improvement Network Wednesday, October 22, 2003 at 5:00 P.M. to 8:15 P.M. *** NOTE the irregular LOCATION, WEEK, and TIME***

"Costing COTS Integration"

Speaker:  Linda Brooks, Northrop-Grumman Mission Systems

Abstract

This session will provide a roadmap for doing an estimate for a Commercial Off-the-Shelf (COTS) intensive systems development.  It will discuss the key lessons learned about COTS development pitfalls and translate them into estimation steps and checklists.  The following topics will be discussed:  frequently overlooked and underestimated tasks; the components of a complete estimate; estimating size and cost drivers; using parametric modeling for estimation; and risk analysis.  An example of the calibration of a parametric model using historical data from a Northrop Grumman Mission Systems COTS intensive development will be presented along with sample worksheets for compiling an estimate.

Linda Brooks

Linda Brooks is the Sr. Manager of the East Coast branch of the Northrop Grumman (NG) Mission Systems Office of Cost Estimation and Risk Analysis.  Her recent focus has been on the expansion of the NG Mission Systems historical data repository to include metrics to support both cost estimation and process improvement for the entire range of NG Mission Systems customers and project types.  The database supports Mission Systems’ Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI) Level 4/5 process improvement goals.  Key areas of expansion were the addition of metrics for Commercial Off-the-Shelf (COTS) intensive system developments, operations and maintenance, and specialized customer services.  Brooks has over 30 years of experience in industry.  Before specializing in cost estimation and process improvement, she was engineering and developing systems as both manager and performer.  She has developed and taught the Software Cost Estimation, Cost Benefit Analysis and COTS Integration portions of Mission Systems’ core courses. 

*** NOTE the irregular LOCATION, WEEK, and TIME

*** Recheck the web site before the meeting ***

Location:  University of Southern California, Campus Park Location

USC Henry Salvatori 322 - Reception and Tool Fair (SAL on the map)

USC Gerontology Auditorium - Presentation (GER on the map)

Los Angeles, Ca 90089-0191

Say "LA SPIN" to Gate #1 parking attendant

No reservations required; free parking is available in a nearby structure (PSA).

LaDonna Pierce, CSE Administrator, at (213) 740-5703 or ladonna@sunset.usc.edu

Directions to USC Gerontology Auditorium (GER) and Henry Salvatori Building (SAL)

USC-Gerontology Auditorium  (GER)          Henry Salvatori Computer Science Center (SAL)

     3715 McClintock Avenue                           941 W. 37th Place Rm 322

     Los Angeles, CA 90089-0191                     Los Angeles, CA 90089-0191

Click here for maps

110 (Harbor) North:

   Take the Exposition exit.  Go straight through the 37th Street light.  Keep left.  Go under the freeway bridge.  Cross Flower at the light and, pass Figueroa St. and turn right at the light on Watt way.  Enter campus at gate #1.

110 (Harbor/Pasadena) South:

   Take the Exposition exit.  Cross Figueroa St.  Turn right at the light on Watt way.  Enter campus at gate #1.

10 (Santa Monica) East:

   Take the Vermont exit, turn right on to South Vermont.  Go all the way to Exposition Blvd.  Turn left on Exposition Blvd.  Turn left on Watt Way.  Enter campus at gate #1.

10 (Santa Monica) West:

   Take the Vermont exit, turn left on to South Vermont Go all the way to Exposition Blvd.  Turn left on Exposition Blvd.  Turn left on Watt Way.  Enter campus at gate #1.

405 (San Diego) South or North:

   Take the 405 to the 10 (Santa Monica Freeway).  Go east (Los Angeles) on the 10.  Take the Vermont exit, turn right on to South Vermont.  Go all the way to Exposition Blvd.  Turn left on Exposition Blvd.  Turn left on Watt way.  Enter campus at gate #1.

101 (Hollywood/Ventura) South or North:

   Take the 110 going south.  Take the Exposition exit.  Cross Figueroa St.  Turn right at the light on Watt way.  Enter campus at gate #1.

5 (Golden State/Santa Ana) South or North:

   Take the 5 to the 110.  Go south on the 110.  Take the Exposition exit.  Cross Figueroa St.  Turn right at the light on Watt way.  Enter campus at gate #1.

Driving directions from LAX to Radisson Midtown Hotel: 

     3540 South Figueroa St., Los Angeles, CA 90007

     Start out going North on SKY WAY (Sky Way is the street circling the airport parking structures) towards AIRPORT EXIT.  SKY WAY becomes AIRPORT EXIT.  Turn SLIGHT RIGHT onto SKY WAY.  Turn RIGHT onto W 96TH ST.  Turn SLIGHT RIGHT onto S SEPULVEDA BLVD.  Take the I-105 EAST/IMPERIALHWY WEST ramp towards IMPERIAL TERMINAL.  Keep LEFT at the fork in the ramp.  Merge onto I-105 E.  Take the I-110 NORTH/SOUTH exit towards LOS ANGELES/SAN PEDRO.  Take the I-110 NORTH exit on left towards LOS ANGELES.  Merge onto I-110 N.  Take the 37TH STREET exit towards EXPOSITION BLVD.  Merge onto S HOPE ST.  Turn LEFT onto EXPOSITION BLVD.  Turn RIGHT onto S FIGUEROA ST.

Walking Directions from Radisson Midtown Hotel:

   Start out at Radisson Hotel.  Turn left and walk toward Exposition Blvd.  Turn right and walk on Exposition Blvd.  Turn right and walk on USC Watt Way.  Turn right and walk on W. 37th.  Turn right on McClintock Ave.  The Gerontology Auditorium is on the corner of W. 37th and McClintock.