October 12, 2007
Abstract
Like other engineers, software developers transform ideas into usable products. Unlike other engineers, they create a product that is inherently invisible, not completely testable and often transitional. Moreover, a software product in an interim development stage is often unusable, producing free-floating anxiety in developers and users alike. Behavioral science tells us that invisibility and the effect of “all or nothing” are psychological factors that negatively impact developer effectiveness. Mundane tasks such as repeated testing often result in frustration while the transitional nature of software creates a false notion that the defects can always be removed in the future. Moreover, there is growing realization that we humans are incapable of fully applying and maintaining our own best practices.
Based on aforementioned factors and the concepts described in the recently published book, the co-authors, Huizinga and Kolawa, will explain how to establish an automated technology infrastructure that supports effective software development. This infrastructure defines people roles, necessary technology, and interactions between people and technology. This infrastructure provides product visibility, automates repetitive tasks, tracks project status, and seamlessly collects project data to provide measures necessary for decision making. This infrastructure forms a software production line, thereby putting the engineering into software engineering. Most of all, by putting the engineering into software engineering this infrastructure sustains and facilitates the improvement of human-defined processes.
Your Presenter: Dr. Dorota Huizinga is the Associate Dean for the College of Engineering and Computer Science and Professor of Computer Science at California State University, Fullerton. She is the recipient of several CSUF outstanding faculty recognitions in the areas of scholarly and creative activities, teaching and service. Her publication record spans a wide range of Computer Science disciplines from testing and static analysis, through algorithm analysis, distributed and real-time applications to files systems and mobile computing, and her research was sponsored by the National Science Foundation, State of California, and private industry. Recently, Dorota wrote a proposal and lead the efforts in the implementation and WASC accreditation of the online, professional degree program Master of Science in Software Engineering. In her spare time she enjoys volunteering as a Website coordinator in the local chapter of National Charity League, helping with her daughter’s Junior Girl Scout troop and playing tennis.
Dr. Adam Kolawa is the co-founder and CEO of Parasoft, a leading provider of Automated Error Prevention (AEP) software solutions. Kolawa's years of experience with various software development processes has resulted in his unique insight into the high-tech industry and the uncanny ability to successfully identify technology trends. As a result, he has orchestrated the development of several successful commercial software products to meet growing industry needs to improve software quality - often before the trends have been widely accepted. Kolawa, co-author of Bulletproofing Web Applications (Hungry Minds 2001), has contributed to and written over 100 commentary pieces and technical articles for publications such as The Wall Street Journal, CIO, Computerworld, Dr. Dobb's Journal, and IEEE Computer; he has also authored numerous scientific papers on physics and parallel processing. His recent media engagements include CNN, CNBC, BBC, and NPR. Kolawa holds a Ph.D. in theoretical physics from the California Institute of Technology, and has been granted ten patents for his recent inventions. In 2001, Kolawa was awarded the Los Angeles Ernst & Young's Entrepreneur of the Year Award in the software category.
Dorota and Adam are co-authors of “Automated Defect Prevention: Best Practices in Software Management”, John Wiley & Sons/IEEE Computer Society Press, September 2007:
http://eu.wiley.com/WileyCDA/WileyTitle/productCd-0470042125,descCd-description.html
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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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