2012-LCC05

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Discrepancy Report Prioritization and Software Maintenance Impacts

Life Cycle Cost Track

LCC05_Presentation_DiscrepancyReportPrioritizationandSoftwareMaintenanceImpacts_Woolley

Abstract:

In the current budget-constrained environment, programs and organizations throughout the Intelligence Community (IC) are searching for new strategies to reduce costs. Rather than sacrificing new capabilities, maintenance is often one of the first areas of reduction. Many organizations perform developed software maintenance based on the submission of Discrepancy Reports (DRs), which are ranked according to their level of severity/importance. One approach to cutting maintenance costs involves only focusing on higher levels of DRs while leaving lower level DRs postponed or unaddressed. This strategy allows for a reduction in personnel because fewer DRs must be completed.

This research will consider the cost impacts of this approach to maintenance. Through the evaluation of historical DR data, we will consider the costs associated with various DR levels and the potential cost savings associated with a maintenance strategy change. Other areas of consideration include DR changes over time, effects of a shift in strategy, and variations between different programs. By obtaining a better understanding of the DR process and the costs associated with various levels of DRs, cost analysts will be better able to estimate the potential cost impacts of limiting DR work-offs.

Author(s):

Jenny Woolley
Scitor Corporation
Ms. Woolley graduated from the University of Virginia was a Masters of Science in Management and Information Technology in 2011 and from The College of William and Mary in 2006 with a B.A. in Economics and Psychology. After graduation from William and Mary, Ms. Woolley began working for Northrop Grumman-TASC as an operations researcher, performing cost analysis for the Intelligence Community. She led analysts creating life cycle cost estimates and Intelligence Capability Baseline Descriptions (ICBD) for the development and maintenance of multiple programs. Ms. Woolley also worked on a team conducting Independent Cost Proposal Evaluations throughout Northrop Grumman. In 2009, she joined Scitor Corporation, where she has supported multiple customers throughout the Intelligence Community and Department of Defense. Ms. Woolley currently develops program cost estimates for various agencies as part of the budgetary process.

Kyle Thomas
Scitor Corporation
Mr. Thomas is currently an analyst with Scitor Corporation, providing cost estimating support to the Intelligence Community. Prior to joining Scitor, he was an Operations Research Analyst at TASC, where he also provided advisory services to the Intelligence Community. In May of 2009, Mr. Thomas graduated with a B.S. in Energy Business and Finance, and a minor in Economics from The Pennsylvania State University.