Applying six-sigma concepts to software engineering

CS616 Software EngineeringPh.D. Lecture Jianning Liu

April 21 2009

Topics

What is six sigma Does Six Sigma make sense in

software engineering How can we make Six Sigma work

for software engineering Conclusions

What is six sigma

Six Sigma is a business management strategy, initially implemented by Motorola, that today enjoys widespread application in many sectors of industry.

------ From wikipedia

What is six sigma

What is six sigma

Sigma Level DPMO Efficiency

One 690,000 31%

Two 308,000 69.2%

Three 66,800 93.32%

Four 6,210 99.379%

Five 230 99.977%

Six 3.4 99.9997%

Does Six Sigma make sense in software engineering

Benefits Six Sigma can bring Legal responsibility Mission-critical systems Complex systems The software industry

Benefits Six Sigma can bring Legal responsibility What if a recall happens ? Mission-critical systems

Software disasters Complex systems

The cumulative effects The software industry

Software has a reputation of being “late and buggy”

How can we make Six Sigma work for software engineering

DMADV FrameworkDefineMeasure Analyze Design Verify Sigma level determination

DMADV Framework

DMAIC FrameworkSigma level determination Software opportunitySoftware defect Sigma calculationSuccess Example

DMADV Framework

DMADV Framework

DMADV Framework

DMADV Framework

Sigma level determination

To define and quantify Defect

Measure on cause Measure on effect

Unit Opportunity

Num of keystrokes Num of LOC Num of FP Num of runs

Conclusions

Six Sigma Black Belts save companies approximately $230,000 per project

Have considerable impact on the traditional software quality assurance and control practice.

Offers hope to those who are just about to resign to the “late and buggy” work of the software world

Interesting Websites

6 Sigma Traininghttp://www.sei.cmu.edu/ Learn Six-Sigmawww.ITBusinessEdge.com Six Sigma Quality Resources for

Achieving Six Sigma Resultshttp://www.isixsigma.com/

References

Six Sigma in software qualityResearch paperG.Y. Hong, T.N. Goh,

Harvesting CMMI®Benefits –The Six Sigma SicklePresentationNidhi Srivastava, Sathya Murthy http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Six_Sigma

Thank you!

Questions