CS 501: Software EngineeringCourse AdministrationFrom Lecture 1: Overall Aim of the CourseFuture ExperienceCareers outside ComputingTechnical CareersCareers that take responsibility for the Technical Work of OthersChief Information OfficerHigh Level Decision MakingThe Connection to the Client: CS 501 ModelThe Connection to the Client: Typical OrganizationQuality AssuranceProduct ManagerCareer FlexibilitySoftware Development as a ProfessionWhat is Engineering?From the National Society of Professional EngineersSlide 18From Lecture 1: The Craft of Software DevelopmentCrafts, Science, EngineeringSlide 21Engineers, Texas and the ACMSoftware Engineering as Engineering?From Lecture 1: Professional ResponsibilityAn Old Question: Safety Critical SoftwareSoftware Developers and Testers: ResponsibilitiesComputing Management ResponsibilityClient Responsibility1CS 501 Spring 2007CS 501: Software EngineeringLecture 26People 12CS 501 Spring 2007Course Administration3CS 501 Spring 2007From Lecture 1:Overall Aim of the CourseWe assume that you are technically proficient. You know a good deal about computing, can program reasonably, can learn more on the job.When you leave Cornell, you are going to work on production projects where success or failure costs millions of dollars.Soon you will be in charge! It may be your money!We want you to make your mistakes now and learn from your mistakes.4CS 501 Spring 2007Future ExperienceWhat will you be doing one year from now? Ten years from now?1. Careers outside computing2. Careers in which you personally continue to do technical work3. Careers in which you are responsible for the technical work of others5CS 501 Spring 2007Careers outside ComputingA computing background can be valuable in any career: management, government, law, medicine, philanthropy, etc.Education in computing is an asset:• Computing is a vital part of almost every organization• Education in logical thinking, tackling large tasks systematicallyEducation in computing is a potential weakness:• Not every problem can be solved by rational thinking alone• Importance of skills with people, judgment, etc.6CS 501 Spring 2007Technical CareersSuper-technical positionsA very few senior positions which are almost entirely technical:e.g., industrial research, universitiesEven these have substantial organizational aspectsMid-level technical positionsNumerous mid-level professional positionsCan be state-of-the-art or dead-endComputer professional report satisfaction with their choice of careers7CS 501 Spring 2007Careers that take responsibility for the Technical Work of OthersA common career progression is from being a technical expert to leading others who do technical workSenior personnel must be familiar with both the strategic organizational aspects and the computing aspects of the work, e.g.,EntrepreneurChief Information OfficerSenior consultant• Requires good technical insight, not detailed technical expertise• Requires organizational, marketing, personnel, financial expertiseProduct management is a good background for such positions8CS 501 Spring 2007Chief Information OfficerThe senior person in an organization responsible for technology. • Usually a vice president.• Other job titles include Chief Technology Officer.• Background is a combination of technology and management.• May have worked as a consultant (possibly internal consultant). Does not require detailed technical expertise.9CS 501 Spring 2007High Level Decision MakingBig software projects are of strategic important for organizations• The senior management have a duty to understand the strategic decisions, the cost options, and the risks.Senior personnel requirement: individual who is familiar with both the strategic business aspects and the computing aspects of projects.10CS 501 Spring 2007The Connection to the Client:CS 501 ModelClientSoftware development teamCourse team11CS 501 Spring 2007The Connection to the Client:Typical OrganizationCustomersSoftware development MarketingQuality assuranceProduct management12CS 501 Spring 2007Quality AssuranceThe task of Quality Assurance is to ensure that software products are built correctly.At Microsoft, the Quality Assurance staff is as large as the Software Development staff.• Develop tools and methodology for creating software that is:testablemaintainablefree of bugs• Validate software by reviews, inspections, testing, etc.13CS 501 Spring 2007Product ManagerThe task of the Product Manager is to ensure that the right product is built and that the right trade-offs are made between timeliness, functionality and costs. This requires an understanding of:• Marketing and business considerations• Technical options and design criteria• Communication among groups with different expertise and prioritiesA good Product Manager has strong technical and management skills (e.g., a computer scientist with an MBA)14CS 501 Spring 2007Career FlexibilityNobody knows where computing will go in the future, but …If you do not learn continuously, you are going out of date fast!• Go to seminars, conferences, training courses• Be inquisitive – discover things for yourselfTechnical expertise is most valuable when combined with other skills• Understand the organization that you are part of, e.g., budgets, marketing.• Develop organizational skills, e.g., presentations, writing, leadership15CS 501 Spring 2007Software Development as a ProfessionQuestion: Is software development a branch of engineering?Answer: It depends on how you define engineering.Software development demands a high degree of professionalism.16CS 501 Spring 2007What is Engineering?A definition of engineeringThe profession of:... creating cost-effective solutions ...... to practical problems ...... by applying scientific knowledge ...... and established practices ...... building things ...and taking responsibility for them!With this definition, software development is clearly engineering17CS 501 Spring 2007From the National Society of Professional Engineers• Only a licensed engineer may prepare, sign and seal, and submit engineering plans ... for public and private clients. • Licensure for individuals ... is a legal requirement for those who are in responsible charge of work, ...• Federal, state, and municipal agencies require that certain [positions] ... be filled only by licensed professional engineers. • Many states have been increasingly requiring that those
View Full Document
Unlocking...