Understanding the "90% Syndrome" in Software Project Management: A Simulation-Based Case Study
Authors
Abdel-Hamid, Tarek K.
Subjects
Advisors
Date of Issue
1988
Date
1988
Publisher
Language
Abstract
There is ample evidence in the literature to indicate that the "90% syndrome" is pervasive in software project management. The objective of this paper is to report on a study of this important phenomenon. Our research vehicle is a System Dynamics simulation model of the software development process. Model results obtained from an analysis of a NASA software project indicate that the problem arises because of the interaction of two factors: underestimation and imprecise measurement of project progress due to poor visibility. The model is used to investigate the viability of two project strategies for "curing" the 90% syndrome problem.
Type
Article
Description
The article of record as published may be located at http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0164-1212(88)90015-5
Series/Report No
Department
Administrative Sciences
Organization
Identifiers
NPS Report Number
Sponsors
Funder
Format
12 p.
Citation
Abdel-Hamid, Tarek K. "Understanding the “90% syndrome” in software project management: A simulation-based case study." Journal of Systems and Software 8.4 (1988): 319-330.
Distribution Statement
Rights
This publication is a work of the U.S. Government as defined in Title 17, United States Code, Section 101. Copyright protection is not available for this work in the United States.