Statistical Methods in Software Engineering


Book Description

In establishing a framework for dealing with uncertainties in software engineering, and for using quantitative measures in related decision-making, this text puts into perspective the large body of work having statistical content that is relevant to software engineering. Aimed at computer scientists, software engineers, and reliability analysts who have some exposure to probability and statistics, the content is pitched at a level appropriate for research workers in software reliability, and for graduate level courses in applied statistics computer science, operations research, and software engineering.




Statistical Software Engineering


Book Description

This book identifies challenges and opportunities in the development and implementation of software that contain significant statistical content. While emphasizing the relevance of using rigorous statistical and probabilistic techniques in software engineering contexts, it presents opportunities for further research in the statistical sciences and their applications to software engineering. It is intended to motivate and attract new researchers from statistics and the mathematical sciences to attack relevant and pressing problems in the software engineering setting. It describes the "big picture," as this approach provides the context in which statistical methods must be developed. The book's survey nature is directed at the mathematical sciences audience, but software engineers should also find the statistical emphasis refreshing and stimulating. It is hoped that the book will have the effect of seeding the field of statistical software engineering by its indication of opportunities where statistical thinking can help to increase understanding, productivity, and quality of software and software production.




Simple Statistical Methods for Software Engineering


Book Description

Although there are countless books on statistics, few are dedicated to the application of statistical methods to software engineering. Simple Statistical Methods for Software Engineering: Data and Patterns fills that void. Instead of delving into overly complex statistics, the book details simpler solutions that are just as effective and connect wi




Measuring the Software Process


Book Description

"While it is usually helpful to launch improvement programs, many such programs soon get bogged down in detail. They either address the wrong problems, or they keep beating on the same solutions, wondering why things don't improve. This is when you need an objective way to look at the problems. This is the time to get some data." Watts S. Humphrey, from the Foreword This book, drawing on work done at the Software Engineering Institute and other organizations, shows how to use measurements to manage and improve software processes. The authors explain specifically how quality characteristics of software products and processes can be quantified, plotted, and analyzed so the performance of software development activities can be predicted, controlled, and guided to achieve both business and technical goals. The measurement methods presented, based on the principles of statistical quality control, are illuminated by application examples taken from industry. Although many of the methods discussed are applicable to individual projects, the book's primary focus is on the steps software development organizations can take toward broad-reaching, long-term success. The book particularly addresses the needs of software managers and practitioners who have already set up some kind of basic measurement process and are ready to take the next step by collecting and analyzing software data as a basis for making process decisions and predicting process performance. Highlights of the book include: Insight into developing a clear framework for measuring process behavior Discussions of process performance, stability, compliance, capability, and improvement Explanations of what you want to measure (and why) and instructions on how to collect your data Step-by-step guidance on how to get started using statistical process control If you have responsibilities for product quality or process performance and you are ready to use measurements to manage, control, and predict your software processes, this book will be an invaluable resource.




Statistical Methods in Water Resources


Book Description

Data on water quality and other environmental issues are being collected at an ever-increasing rate. In the past, however, the techniques used by scientists to interpret this data have not progressed as quickly. This is a book of modern statistical methods for analysis of practical problems in water quality and water resources.The last fifteen years have seen major advances in the fields of exploratory data analysis (EDA) and robust statistical methods. The 'real-life' characteristics of environmental data tend to drive analysis towards the use of these methods. These advances are presented in a practical and relevant format. Alternate methods are compared, highlighting the strengths and weaknesses of each as applied to environmental data. Techniques for trend analysis and dealing with water below the detection limit are topics covered, which are of great interest to consultants in water-quality and hydrology, scientists in state, provincial and federal water resources, and geological survey agencies.The practising water resources scientist will find the worked examples using actual field data from case studies of environmental problems, of real value. Exercises at the end of each chapter enable the mechanics of the methodological process to be fully understood, with data sets included on diskette for easy use. The result is a book that is both up-to-date and immediately relevant to ongoing work in the environmental and water sciences.




Statistical Methods for Software Quality


Book Description

Describes the statistical techniques available for managing the quality of software during specification, design, production and maintenance. The book includes case studies and statistical theory, designed to be comprehensible to those with a minimum of ma




Analytic Methods in Systems and Software Testing


Book Description

A comprehensive treatment of systems and software testing using state of the art methods and tools This book provides valuable insights into state of the art software testing methods and explains, with examples, the statistical and analytic methods used in this field. Numerous examples are used to provide understanding in applying these methods to real-world problems. Leading authorities in applied statistics, computer science, and software engineering present state-of-the-art methods addressing challenges faced by practitioners and researchers involved in system and software testing. Methods include: machine learning, Bayesian methods, graphical models, experimental design, generalized regression, and reliability modeling. Analytic Methods in Systems and Software Testing presents its comprehensive collection of methods in four parts: Part I: Testing Concepts and Methods; Part II: Statistical Models; Part III: Testing Infrastructures; and Part IV: Testing Applications. It seeks to maintain a focus on analytic methods, while at the same time offering a contextual landscape of modern engineering, in order to introduce related statistical and probabilistic models used in this domain. This makes the book an incredibly useful tool, offering interesting insights on challenges in the field for researchers and practitioners alike. Compiles cutting-edge methods and examples of analytical approaches to systems and software testing from leading authorities in applied statistics, computer science, and software engineering Combines methods and examples focused on the analytic aspects of systems and software testing Covers logistic regression, machine learning, Bayesian methods, graphical models, experimental design, generalized regression, and reliability models Written by leading researchers and practitioners in the field, from diverse backgrounds including research, business, government, and consulting Stimulates research at the theoretical and practical level Analytic Methods in Systems and Software Testing is an excellent advanced reference directed toward industrial and academic readers whose work in systems and software development approaches or surpasses existing frontiers of testing and validation procedures. It will also be valuable to post-graduate students in computer science and mathematics.




Applied Statistics for Software Managers


Book Description

Applied Statistics for Software Managers is the first complete guide to using statistical techniques to solve specific software development and maintenance problems. You don't need a mathematical background; Katrina Maxwell presents an easy-to-follow methodology and detailed case studies that show you exactly how to assess productivity, time to market, development costs, maintenance cost drivers, and more.




Reliability and Risk


Book Description

We all like to know how reliable and how risky certain situations are, and our increasing reliance on technology has led to the need for more precise assessments than ever before. Such precision has resulted in efforts both to sharpen the notions of risk and reliability, and to quantify them. Quantification is required for normative decision-making, especially decisions pertaining to our safety and wellbeing. Increasingly in recent years Bayesian methods have become key to such quantifications. Reliability and Risk provides a comprehensive overview of the mathematical and statistical aspects of risk and reliability analysis, from a Bayesian perspective. This book sets out to change the way in which we think about reliability and survival analysis by casting them in the broader context of decision-making. This is achieved by: Providing a broad coverage of the diverse aspects of reliability, including: multivariate failure models, dynamic reliability, event history analysis, non-parametric Bayes, competing risks, co-operative and competing systems, and signature analysis. Covering the essentials of Bayesian statistics and exchangeability, enabling readers who are unfamiliar with Bayesian inference to benefit from the book. Introducing the notion of “composite reliability”, or the collective reliability of a population of items. Discussing the relationship between notions of reliability and survival analysis and econometrics and financial risk. Reliability and Risk can most profitably be used by practitioners and research workers in reliability and survivability as a source of information, reference, and open problems. It can also form the basis of a graduate level course in reliability and risk analysis for students in statistics, biostatistics, engineering (industrial, nuclear, systems), operations research, and other mathematically oriented scientists, wherein the instructor could supplement the material with examples and problems.




Statistical Analysis for Engineers and Scientists


Book Description

This text covers topics such as nonparametric statistics, statistical quality control, multivariate regression analysis and operating characteristic curves. The accompanying MAC software gives a complete treatment of statistically valid sample sizes in all tests of hypotheses addressed.