Commercial OfftheShelf COTS Software Acquisition

1
Commercial Off-the-Shelf (COTS)Software
Acquisition

• Presented by Sgt Nicole Gosselin
• CF 18 Weapon System Manager Detachment Cold Lake

2
Disclaimer

• Not an expert in the field of COTS but wanted to
  researched potential applicability for DND

3
Agenda

• Definition
• Advantages
• Disadvantages
• Standard
• Formal Process
• Case Study
• Conclusion

4
Definition

• Shrink-wrapped software
• Any pre-built Software component (partial or
  complete)

5
ADVANTAGES

• Available now
• Quickly adapt to evolving mission
• Lower up-front costs
• Predictable licence/ownership costs
• Mature software (most time)
• Future support (?)

6
DISADVANTAGES

• Dependency on vendor
• Recurring maintenance fees
• Functionality constraints
• Unnecessary features
• Inadequate reliability and stability
• System Integration
• Terms Conditions often problematic

7
MIL-STD-498

• Section 1 Scope (including purpose and
  applicability)
• Section 2 Referenced Documents
• Section 3 Definitions
• Section 4 General Requirements
• Section 5 Detailed Requirements
• Appendixes
• Appendix A Acronyms
• Appendix B Interpreting MIL-STD-498 for
  Incorporation of Reusable Software Products
• Appendix C Category and Priority Classifications
  for Problem Reporting
• Appendix D Software Product Evaluations
• Appendix E Candidate Joint Management Reviews
• Appendix F Candidate Management Indicators
• Appendix G Guidance on Program Strategies,
  Tailoring, and Build Planning
• Appendix H Guidance on Ordering Deliverables
• Appendix I Conversion Guide from DOD-STD-2167A
  and DOD-STD-7935A

8
MIL-STD-498 Appendix B

• B4 Any requirements that calls for development
  of a software product may be met by a reusable
  software product that fulfills the requirement
  and meets the criteria established in the
  software development plan
• Key issues are whether the software will be
  modified, whether unmodified software contitutes
  an entire CSCI or only one or more software
  units, and whether unmodified software has a
  positive performance record

9
Formal ProcessFunction Fit Analysis

• a methodology proven to be successful in
  evaluating commercial off-the-shelf (COTS)
  products as they relate to meeting customer
  requirements
• evaluating the compatibility of COTS
• does not rely on vendor claims of high
  compatibility

10
Function Fit Analysis Process

• Three types of function point counts
• Development project count
• Enhancement project count
• Application count
• Five Components of Function Points
• Data Functions
• Internal Logical Files and External Logical Files
• Transaction Functions
• External input and output, external inquiries

11
The Steps

• Requirements Function Point Analysis
• What functions are to be delivered (not How)
• COTS Functional Evaluation
• Exist in COTS with no change required unchanged
• Exist in COTS but require enhancements change
• Need to be added to COTS product add
• Exist in COTS but unrelated to requirements
  unusued
• Functional Fit Analysis
• Fit factor between requirements and COTS
  product
• COTS (FFA fit unchanged FPs / total FPs from
  Step 1)

12
The Steps (cont)

• Project Estimates
• Personnel and management
• Process and methods
• Technology and tools
• Environment and Support
• Make/Buy Analysis
• Uses Function Point Analysis from step 1-4
• Buy As Is
• Customize COTS
• Custom Develop

13
Case Study

• Major Obsolescence issue
• Digitizer (BB81) no longer repairable
• Common to HTS ATS
• Shared by 50 Test Program Sets (/- 600,000 LOC)
• Form Fit ideal solution

14
A success story !

• Instrument parameters available
• Surf the net for availability
• Gage Instrument System in Montreal producing
  similar instrument
• Negotiations for added features
• PWGSC successfully signed contract
• Turn Around Time of 6 months
• No Software modifications needed

15
Conclusion

• Consider COTS in project planning
• There is no COTS silver bullet
• FFA process provides framework for evaluation

16
References

• Royce, Walker. Software Project Management,
  Addison-Wesley, 1998, Chapter 3
• MIL-STD-498, Software Development and
  Documentation,
• 5 December 1994
• US Airforce Software Technology Support Centre,
  Crosstalk Magazine available at
  httpstsc.hill.af.mil/
• The Opportunities and Complexities of Applying
  Commercial-Off-the-Shelf Components by Lisa
  Brownsword, David Carney, and Tricia Oberndorf,
  Software Engineering Institute
• The Double-Edged COTS IT Sword by Lt Col Joe
  Jarzombek, U.S.A.F ESIP Director
• Evaluating COTS using Function Fit Analysis by
  Lori A. Holmes, Q/P Management Group Inc.
• Implementing COTS Open Systems Technology on
  AWACS, Lt Col Michael K.J. Milligan, U.S.A.F.

17

• For every complex questions there is a simple
  answer, and it is wrong
• H.L. Menken