Traditional and hybrid software project tracking technique formulation: state space approach with initial state uncertainty

Abstract

Software projects are required to be tracked during their execution for controlling them. According to state-space approach, the tracking technique consists of software project state transition equation and software project status measurement equation. A key factor in tracking software projects is to represent the project with uncertainty involved in the parameters. Traditional and hybrid software project tracking technique is designed with state space approach and simulated using discrete event simulation in plan-space and execution-space. The uncertainty considered here is epistemological and is modeled as a normal distribution using an approximation method. The initial state of the project in execution-space also has an uncertainty associated with it. The project tracking technique consists of project state transition equation and project status measurement equation, in plan-space and is formulated with Monte Carlo method in execution-space. The project status is derived using project measurement equation as a function of project state. The project state is derived using project state transition equation. The software product is developed iteratively and incrementally. With Monte Carlo simulation runs, simulation result shows the uncertainty propagation iteration-wise, both individually and totally; and the effect of uncertainty on project status is shown by showing project status in execution-space and plan-space. Besides, the project completion somewhere during the last iteration is shown with simulation.

Flexible Project Scheduling Algorithms

“…Currently, hybrid (i.e., combinations of traditional and agile and extreme) approaches are becoming increasingly popular [11]. However, flexible approaches are thus far not privileges for software development projects [15]. Rapidly changing environments increasingly enforce flexible approaches.…”

“…Flexible approaches require flexible project structures; however, in addition to the opportunity to reorganize the project, different kinds of technology (completion modes) should also be considered; therefore, traditional and flexible approaches should be combined into hybrid project management approaches [11,12,15]. Nevertheless, hybrid approaches should be supported by algorithmic methods to help decision makers ensure the project's success.…”

“…There are different combinations of agile and traditional project management approaches [11,12,15]. However, there are very few exact algorithms (see, e.g., [7,8]) that can be used to solve hybrid multimode problems that can handle unplanned tasks and dependencies.…”

Multimode resource-constrained project scheduling in flexible projects

“…However, while extreme project management can confirm the extra costs and the increased project duration due to the extra tasks, application management instead emphasizes adhering to a fixed budget and fixed time-frame. 1 Flexible approaches require flexible project structures and flexible constraints; however, in addition to the opportunity of reorganizing the project, different kinds of technology (completion modes) should also be considered; therefore, traditional and flexible approaches should be combined into hybrid project management approaches (see, e.g., [16,21,27]). Nevertheless, hybrid approaches should be supported by algorithmic methods in order to help decision makers ensure the project's success.…”

“…There are different combinations of agile and traditional project management approaches (see, e.g., [16,21,27]). However, to the best of our knowledge, there is no exact algorithm that can be used to solve hybrid multimode problems that can handle unplanned tasks and dependencies.…”