A system dynamics model for concurrent software engineering

Concurrent engineering (CE) has been widely adopted and has made significant contributions to the electronics and manufacturing industries in terms of project cost and cycle time reduction, as well as product quality improvement. The software development industry has begun to learn from the CE experiences as practiced in other industries. Several software companies have significantly reduced their product cycle time by applying a modest degree of concurrent engineering; for example, Fujitsu's Concurrent Development model, Microsoft's Daily Build process, HP's Platform Development model, concurrent internationalization of software products for local markets, and DuPont's Timebox approach.; Concurrent software engineering (CSE) shortens time-to-market but creates new problems in terms of coordinating multiple, concurrent activities. The extent of benefits that CSE-based practices can deliver, their critical success factors, and the potential high risk areas need to be assessed carefully.; This research aims to develop a system dynamics simulation model (CSE-SD) to systematically assess the benefits and drawbacks of CSE. We made three major contributions in this research: (1) we have classified different types of CSE practices; (2) we have identified the specific benefits, potential risks, and the dynamic cause-effect implications of different types of CSE practices; and (3) we have studied three sets of questions using this system dynamics model. The results of our study provide strategic information for software project managers who attempt concurrent software development.; The CSE-SD model is an economic and effective management policy exploration tool for pre-assessing the benefits and potential risks of future projects. By calibrating the simulation model against the data collected from previous projects, it can be used to predict the possible outcomes of different management policies, actions, or decisions.