microISV Research Alliance

Pain Point Survey Complete

Russell Thackston — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 20:03:45 +0000

The 2011 microISV Pain Point survey period has ended and we’re looking into the results. More to come…

Fall 2011 Newsletter

Russell Thackston — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 13:19:59 +0000

The Fall 2011 newsletter has been sent out with a special thanks to MailChimp.

The Sort-Insert-Size-Estimate (SISE) Approach

Russell Thackston — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 12:49:46 +0000

Russell Thackston’s research for 2011-2012 will be focusing on a new software effort estimation approach for consultants, team members, and microISV owners, like you. He’s named the approach SISE (Sort-Insert-Size-Estimate). SISE bridges the gap between time-consuming, formal estimation tools and guesswork.

We will be publishing short, concise “how to” guides in the near future. We’ll also be putting the approach to the test, both in the classroom and in industry. As always, keep an eye out here for the results and other updates.

2011 microISV Pain Point Survey is Open

Russell Thackston — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 17:24:00 +0000

The 2011 microISV Pain Point survey is open! For full details, visit our survey page at survey.microisvresearch.org.

2011 microISV Pain Point Survey

Russell Thackston — Mon, 04 Jul 2011 12:26:51 +0000

The 2011 microISV Pain Point survey ~~is almost here~~ has arrived!

We’ll be opening the survey on August 1st and it will run for four weeks through August 31st. The survey will help us gauge where microISV operators are struggling in their businesses. We will also be comparing the results to last year’s to see if any trends develop. Our goal is to grow and improve microISV operations everywhere, and this survey is a key component.

As an incentive to participate, all participants will gain early access to the (anonymized) survey results. Additionally, respondents may choose to be listed on our Participant’s page, with a live link to their microISV’s website and a brief company profile.

For full details, visit our survey page at http://survey.microisvresearch.org/.

2011 Pain Point Survey: IRB Approval

Russell Thackston — Tue, 21 Jun 2011 18:41:24 +0000

The Auburn University Office of Research Compliance’s Institutional Review Board (IRB) has given its approval for the 2011 Pain Point survey to move forward. Pre-registration is available at the microISV Research Alliance website and the survey will officially kick off on August 1st.

MicroISV Research Alliance on FaceBook

Russell Thackston — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 19:30:37 +0000

We’ve got a FaceBook page! Visit us at http://www.facebook.com/MicroISV.Research.Alliance.

Relative Regression: More Expert, Less Opinion

Russell Thackston — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 16:59:21 +0000

I’ve decided to author a one-page (two-sided) handout that explains the topic of my dissertation research. The formal title of the handout is Relative Regression: The Principle and the Process. The informal title is Relative Regression: More Expert, Less Opinion.

Take a look at the paper and let me know what you think in the comments, especially if you can think of a better name!

Update (April 29, 2011): I have modified the first handout to correct some minor errors and emphasize its focus on projects. I have added a second handout focusing on estimating individuals tasks in a larger project. Lastly, I have created two new handouts: one for helping estimators decided if they should estimate projects or tasks and another for helping estimators overcome bias.

Spring 2011 Newsletter

Russell Thackston — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 14:00:37 +0000

The Spring 2011 newsletter has been sent out with a special thanks to MailChimp.

Non-Development Activities and the Software Process

Russell Thackston — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 15:52:21 +0000

Susan Hammond, a fellow graduate student here at Auburn University, has authored two short PDFs on blending the software process with non-development activities.

The first paper, titled “MicroISV Business Activity Guide,” lists non-development activities, such as market research and internationalization, in parallel with development iterations to give readers an idea of when to tackle those topics less familiar to them. The second paper, titled “PCSE Product Release,” lists non-development activities alongside the steps in the Practice-Centered Software Engineering (PCSE) process.

Many thanks go out to Bob Walsh and his book Micro-ISV: From Vision to Reality, which inspired much of the details of the two papers. Thanks also go to Dr. David Umphress of Auburn University who is currently developing the one-person software process known as PCSE.

Please share any thoughts you have about the two papers in the comments below.