February 2, 2007

Abstract

The speaker will share the results of an analysis of Return-on-Investment (ROI) experience gained by analyzing a variety of cost/benefit data taken from eleven high maturity firms (all rated Level 5 on CMMI), for the most part large aerospace organizations. The speaker will begin by introducing and quantifying the results generated using any of the following three process improvement scenarios: starting up, reaching the next level, and optimization and maintenance. For each of these scenarios, he will then discuss the ranges of costs/benefits derived for each of these three scenarios based on data from U.S. firms only (i.e., he believe foreign results bias findings and eliminates them from consideration). He next proposes a fourth scenario, focusing on out-of-phase defect detection and correction, and shows why its use makes both technical and economical sense in light of his findings. Finally, he suggests things organizations can do based on the lessons learned via this analysis.

Your Presenter: Donald J. Reifer is recognized as one of the leading figures in the fields of software engineering and management with over thirty-five years of progressive management experience in both industry and government. From 1993 to 1995, Mr. Reifer managed the DoD Software Initiatives Office under an Intergovernmental Personnel Act assignment with the Defense Information Systems Agency. As part of this Senior Executive Service assignment, he served as the Director of the DoD Software Reuse Initiative and Chief of the Ada Joint Program Office. Previously, while with TRW, Mr. Reifer served as Deputy Program Manager for their GPS efforts. While with the Aerospace Corporation, Mr. Reifer managed all of the software efforts related to the Space Transportation System (Space Shuttle). Currently, as President of RCI, Mr. Reifer advises executives in Fortune 500 firms worldwide in the areas of software investment and improvement strategies. Reifer received a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from New Jersey Institute of Technology and a master's degree in operations research from the University of Southern California . He holds many honors and has over one hundred technical publications including five books.

Materials to be Distributed : Attendees will receive a copy of a paper on this work that is currently scheduled to be published in the January 2007 issue of CrossTalk magazine.

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Logistics

Location:Northrop Grumman E2 Presentation Center (in tall building off of Entrance 2), Redondo Beach, CA (formerly TRW) - 2299 Marine Ave., Redondo Beach, CA 90278
Directions: Take the 405 Inglewood exit (southbound it's the exit after Rosecrans East, northbound it's the exit just after Hawthorne) and go north on Inglewood Avenue (southbound, turn left at the end of the ramp, northbound, turn right). Turn left at Marine. Continue West under the freeway past the railroad tracks three lights to Simon Ramo Drive. E2 is on the tall white building to the LEFT, past the shorter presentation building. (See page 733 A5 of the Thomas Brothers Guide.)
Time: 9 a.m. - 12:00 noon
Admission: Free

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