This dissertation explored four denotative measurement discriminators to examine how these discriminators interrelate with the CASE/I-CASE technologies. The purpose of studying this interrelationship was to show how these discriminators can be key in the assessment of a CASEII-CASE environment in a software developing organization. The measurement discriminators presented in this study were: software metrics, usability evaluations, software maturity levels, and organizational change indicators.
One of the largest users and developers of software is the Department of Defense (DOD). Compounding the DOD's principal mission is the maintenance, reliability, quality, and procurement of complex software that has forced DOD to search out innovative software development environments. DOD had ventured to investigate the promises of these technologies. To assist DOD and the software industry at large, this dissertation postulated that using the four measurement discriminators will assist a software developing organization to determine its readiness to use CASEII-CASE.
Using the nineteen DOD I-CASE pilot sites as its sample population, the procedure involved collecting measurement data on software (metrics), software maturity, organizational change, and usability of the software development environment. Software measurement data included "raw data" on such items as effort (staff-hours), schedules, defects, and software size. The remaining measurement discriminators data collection vehicles were in the form of questionnaires.
The results of this study were ascertained using descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and multiple regression analysis. A strong correlation was determined within the questionnaires indicating that the questionnaires were reliable. The multiple regression analysis indicated that there was an interrelationship between CASE/I-CASE and organizational/software measurements. Implications of the study on the field and its contribution to knowledge included areas, such as, software engineering, decision support systems, measurement theory, and human-computer interface. Recommendations for future research were in the areas of computer supported cooperative work, software engineering teamwork and group problem-solving, object-oriented paradigm, and the multiple discipline fields of the measurement discriminators.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:nova.edu/oai:nsuworks.nova.edu:gscis_etd-1510 |
| Date | 01 January 1997 |
| Creators | Falat, Michael |
| Publisher | NSUWorks |
| Source Sets | Nova Southeastern University |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | text |
| Source | CEC Theses and Dissertations |
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