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Date: April 16, 2023 – April 18, 2024 Time: 8:00 am – 2:00 pm PT (11:00 am – 5:00 pm ET)
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Program Schedule
All times in Pacific Time (PT)
Tuesday, April 16
8:00
Conference Intro by Jim Alstad
8:05
Overview of Boehm CSSE by Brad Clark
8:10
Technical Content by Arlene Minkiewicz
8:20
(30 mins)
Leveraging Systems Thinking in Business Process Design by Rick Hefner
The Systems Engineering (SE) methodology can be used to address the commonalities in structuring, analyzing, and optimizing systems, regardless of whether they pertain to physical products or operational workflows. This presentation examines the application of systems thinking principles to the design and optimization of business processes, facilitating a comprehensive understanding of the organizational dynamics; enabling the identification of inefficiencies, bottlenecks and opportunities for improvement.
9:00
(30 mins)
Keynote: Transdisciplinary Systems Engineering: A New Mindset for 21ST Century Engineering by Azad Madni
9:30
Break
10:00
(30 mins)
The Convergence of COSYSMO with Model Based Systems Engineering by Barry Papke
This presentation describes research on the convergence of COSYSMO and Model Based Systems Engineering (MBSE). Topics presented will include updated COSYSMO counting rules incorporating reuse information for driver size selection and assignment in the SySML model, development of a COSYSMO profile, implemented within CATIA Magic Systems of Systems Architecture .
10:40
(30 mins)
AI Assisted MBSE (AIM Process) by Doug Rosenberg
This presentation highlights the significance of software in system specifications and introduces an approach by using Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a subject matter expert. The presentation sheds the light on the overlooked, yet crucial, role of software in SysML and MBSE and steps into the future where Artificial Intelligence (AI) as not just a tool but a collaborator in systems engineering.
11:20
Break
11:50
(60 mins)
Keynote: Health Care as a Systems Engineering Opportunity by Neil Siegel
Although healthcare has ‘discovered’ systems engineering, the techniques we all know so well have mostly be applied only “at the margins”. An in-progress activity is described that can provide an example of what systems engineering could do to benefit society.
13:00
Break
13:20
(30 mins)
Invited Paper: A State-based Probabilistic Risk Assessment Framework for System-of-systems Operations by Sonali Sinha Roy
In a System of Systems, Harel statecharts are used to model the individual systems. These are then connected with an SoS-level model that is used for stochastic analysis through Monte Carlo simulations.
Wednesday, April 17
8:00
(30 mins)
Keynote: Open Source Systems Modeling and Convergence with AI by Ray Madachy
8:40
(30 mins)
Baselining AI’s Systems Engineering Performance in Cost Modeling by Ryan Bell
In the rapidly evolving field of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Large Language Models (LLMs) have demonstrated unprecedented capabilities in understanding and generating language. This presentation introduces a component of SysEngBench, a novel benchmark specifically designed to evaluate LLMs in the context of systems engineering concepts and applications.
9:20
(30 mins)
Building and Modifying Systems Models with Gen AI by Ryan Longshore
As Artificial Intelligence (AI) continues to rapidly advance, Large Language Models (LLMs) have proven capable of not only interacting with humans using natural language, but writing and modifying software code. This presentation focuses on utilizing different techniques such as zero shot and few shot learning to build and model SysML v2 models.
10:00
Break
10:30
(45 mins)
Keynote: The Future of Systems Engineering by Ralf Hartmann
The presentation will introduce the FuSE (Future of Systems Engineering) initiative of INCOSE, summarize the achievements from 2023, and outline the plans for 2024 and beyond.
11:25
(30 mins)
Research on Challenges for Integating Measurement and Control Mechanisms into Engineered Systems Viewed through the Prism of Future Systems by Ken Nidiffer
Fundamental shifts in software and system engineering are taking place in government, academia, and industry to ensure technological superiority. This presentation addresses systems engineering challenges for integration measurement and control mechanisms into future systems throughout the system acquisition lifecycle. Its focus is on one of the National Defense Modernizations Priorities, Cyber Security.
12:05
Break
12:35
(30 mins)
Digital Engineering – Is it any better? by Cheryl Jones
Digital Engineering (DE) represents a paradigm shift in the way system and software engineering is conducted, leveraging digital technologies to drive innovation, improve collaboration, and deliver higher-quality products and systems in less time and at reduced costs. The purpose of this presentation is to discuss the ongoing work that has occurred over the past years in defining measures that will be practical and useful in determining the benefits of DE.
13:15
(30 mins)
The Role of Cost in Digital Engineering by Allison Moeller
Enterprise and portfolio management strive to balance performance, strategic objectives, and resources across broad agency-wide systems of systems. This presentation will discuss the potential of cost estimating at the enterprise level within a digital environment to coordinate and balance priorities across portfolios of programs and projects with common objectives and requirements to meet their mission unique goals, and the importance of “getting data sources and structure right” from the onset of the DE revolution.
Thursday, April 18
8:00
(30 mins)
Keynote: Expanding the Systems Engineering tool box for sustainable industries by Cecilia Haskins
8:40
(30 mins)
Cultivating Effective DevSecOps Culture: Expectations and Preliminary Insights by Bill Nichols
DevSecOps (which integrates development, security and operations in an effort to address productivity and security) is a key implementation approach as part of the Department of Defense’s (DoD’s) Software Modernization Plan to modernize software development and reduce lead times. This ongoing study focuses on examining the processes and practices associated with the cultural factors to identify barriers and enablers to successful DevSecOps implementation.
9:20
(30 mins)
Causal Discovery at the SEI: A Seven Year perspective by Michael Konrad
The SEI has been applying Causal Discovery and Inference (CDi) in a variety of projects for the past 7 years in order to better understand causality with respect to the factors that drive software development costs, quality and security; the factors that drive systems engineering and success; and AI/ML classifier prediction accuracy robustness across various scenarios/edge cases. This presentation will define and make the case for increased use of CDI in systems and software engineering research practices and will address the broader lessons learned by the SEI across projects.
10:00
Break
10:30
(30 mins)
Unveiling the Power of Regression Trees and Random Forests in Software Maintenance Cost Prediction by Brad Clark
This presentation shows our results from exploring machine learning (ML) in analyzing software engineering cost data, using the Software Sustainment Initiative data set consisting of various software cost factors to train the models to predict total release hours. The resulting models will be evaluated against traditional cost estimating relationships presented at this and other forums, highlighting the potential of regression trees and random forests as effective tools for software cost estimation.
11:10
(60 mins)
Workshop: Towards Estimating Schedule for Systems Engineering Projects by Jim Alstad
12:10
Conference Closing by Jim Alstad
Last Updated: 4/13/24 11:00
The Boehm Center for Systems and Software Engineering is hosting a 3-day online forum April 16-18. In keeping with Dr Boehm’s areas of interest, we are soliciting presentations from those in academia, industry, and government, especially from those involved in systems and software engineering.
Some possible topics are:
Generative AI
Data analytics
Digital Engineering
AI, Autonomous Systems
Systems Thinking as applied to business / organizational processes, particularly as related to technology and innovation
Topics related to quality of systems
Enterprise architecture, software processes
Software intensive systems
Software maintenance and quality
Innovative approaches to Cost Engineering
Moral and Ethical Boundaries of AI
Cybersecurity
Agile and DevOps Processes / Lessons Learned
As always, other topics related to cost modeling and estimation or to software or systems engineering processes are welcome. Presentations may cover work in progress and/or completed results.
Submission
Please submit a 1-3 paragraph abstract along with two author biographies: one consisting of 2 sentences for a brief introduction and another in paragraph form, to abstracts@barryboehm.org.
This is an online meeting. The conference is free for presenters and for Boehm CSSE individual members and affiliates. For others, the participation fee is $50, which includes a one-year individual membership in Boehm CSSE. If you are a student, the registration fee is reduced; please contact info@barryboehm.org. For any general questions, please contact forum@barryboehm.org.
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Boehm CSSE Annual Research Review 2024
April 16, 2024 – April 18, 2024
8:00 am – 2:00 pm
About Us
The Boehm Center for Systems and Software Engineering (BCSSE) will carry on the Barry Boehm legacy.
Ricardo Valerdi is a Professor and Head of the Department of Systems and Industrial Engineering at the University of Arizona. He is a graduate of USC and the creator of the COSYSMO cost model. He recently published "The Five-Tool Team" which was heavily influenced by Barry Boehm.
Dr Antony Powell, UK MOD and YorkMetrics
Antony has had a 30-year career in software and systems engineering and management, leading improvements in measurement and estimation across many of the UK’s largest and most challenging software and systems engineering projects.
Rob Ashmore, FCAS Chief Technologist - Software and Dstl Chief, Critical Software
Rob is DSTL Chief for Critical Software in the Cyber Security and Safety group at the UK Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl), which is part of the UK Ministry of Defence. He has over 25 years' experience, covering all aspects of the software lifecycle in a defence and security context, including delivery of operational software and certification of safety-critical software.
Andy Adams, FCAS Deputy Chief Engineer for Programmable Elements, UK MOD
Andy has over 30 years’ experience in Defence Acquisition of complex programmes. Over the last decade he has concentrated on software certification and Airworthiness Security Risk Assessment, developing policies, tools and training to provide a more reliable approach to Software Acquisition Management across the UK Ministry of Defence.
Gavin Douglas, FCAS Programmable Elements Engineer, UK MOD
Meredith Weiner is a Cost Research Analyst at Unison Cost Engineering. She is a recent graduate of William & Mary, where she studied mathematics and data science. Her work focuses on developing and improving cost models for TruePlanning®, with particular emphasis on estimating the effects of generative AI on software development effort.
Ms. Carol Dekkers is founder of Quality Plus Technologies, Inc. who works with organizations who want to succeed with software intensive initiatives through measurement, data-founded estimation, and project management. She has co-authored textbooks (The IT Measurement Compendium: Estimating and Benchmarking Success with Functional Size Measurement; Program Management Toolkit for Software and Systems Development; Practical Software Project Estimation; and others) and presents and publishes articles internationally. Carol was the lead author for the Software Cost Estimating Body of Knowledge (CEBoK-S.) She also recently was named a Global Leader in Consulting (Computer Magazine) and an honorary fellow by the International Function Point Users Group (IFPUG). She is a globally recognized expert in the area of software measurement, and software cost estimating and has experience with state and federal governments in the US, and international industry organizations in Malaysia, Brazil, Japan and India. Ms Dekkers is a longtime delegate and US expert to ISO software engineering standards, and holds credentials: CSPP, PMP, CSM, P.Eng, SCEC.
Ms. Virginia W. Perkins is the Chief Digital Officer for the Missile Defense Agency (MDA). In this executive role, she directs the strategy, execution, and governance of the Agency’s digital transformation portfolio. Ms. Perkins’ distinguished career spans more than three decades. She began her professional journey as a Junior Software Engineer developing National Aeronautics and Space Administration payloads for the International Space Station. In 2010 she joined the civil service, holding various software development and leadership positions and in 2024, she was appointed to the Senior Executive Service as MDA’s Chief Engineer. In that capacity she was responsible for establishing robust engineering processes, implementing rigorous quality controls, and providing independent technical assessments of high-risk operational events and engineering development programs. A native of Pell City, Alabama, Ms. Perkins holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from Jacksonville State University and a Master of Science in Engineering Systems from the Naval Postgraduate School.
Dr. William “Bill” Nichols is a Principal Engineer and Researcher at the Software Engineering Institute (SEI), leading the Applied Measurement and Experimentation Initiative. His research focuses on software cost estimation, measurement, and evidence-based decision-making, leveraging decades of experience across software engineering, process improvement, and scientific development. Nichols joined the SEI in 2006 as a senior member of the technical staff, serving as a Personal Software Process (PSP) instructor and Team Software Process (TSP) coach. Prior to his work at the SEI, he spent 14 years at the Bettis Laboratory leading a team in developing and maintaining high-consequence nuclear engineering software. He holds a Ph.D. in physics from Carnegie Mellon University.
Anandi Hira leads research to advance the state of the art in software cost estimation and supports programs with the resulting estimation and measurement processes in her current role at Carnegie Mellon University’s (CMU’s) Software Engineering Institute (SEI). Her most recent research objective is to develop a new, innovative, capability-based software cost estimation model. Anandi received her PhD in software cost estimation under Dr. Barry Boehm at the University of Southern California (USC), where she collected software development data and calibrated the COCOMO® II software cost estimation model for functional size metrics.
Paul Cymerman works for Quaternion Consulting Inc. (QCI) supporting the Office of Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) as a SME. He has over 32 years of experience as a software cost analyst, aerospace engineer, and computer programmer. Currently supporting the ODNI in developing independent cost estimates and researching new estimating methods. Developed “Diff” and architected Function Point capability in UCC. Currently leading a Modeling and Simulation development program to support the Navy.
Thirty-five years of combined Defense, Intelligence community and industry experience, including over twenty years in the federal government senior executive service and six years as an industry Vice President
At Boeing, now leads Corporate Independent Cost Estimating and previously led an over 800 person geographically dispersed team responsible for producing cost estimates, proposals, and pricing for government and commercial products and services
Decades of government experience producing and leading cost estimates functions at the Navy, Air Force, and National Reconnaissance Office and serving in a senior intelligence service or senior executive service leadership role [additional info in sub-bullets below, don’t need to use] • Director, National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) Cost Group • Deputy Assistant Secretary (Cost and Economics) and Executive Director, Air Force Cost Analysis Agency • Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff, Strategic Plans, Programs and Requirements, • Principal Deputy and Acting Assistant Secretary (Installations, Environment & Energy) • and finally, Principal Deputy and Acting Assistant Secretary (Financial Management & Comptroller
Most importantly, a life-long passion for advancing the profession of cost analysis
Arlene F. Minkiewicz is the Director of Cost Research at Unison Cost Engineering with over 40 years of experience building cost models. She leads the cost research activity for TruePlanning®, the suite of cost estimating products that Unison provides and is a software measurement expert dedicated to finding creative solutions focused on helping make software development professionals successful.
Brad Clark is a Senior Cost Analyst at Galorath Federal Inc., specializing in data analytics and cost engineering. With a Ph.D. in Computer Science from the University of Southern California, earned in 1997, Dr. Clark has dedicated his career to advancing the field of software cost estimation. He is a co-author of two books: "Software Cost Estimation with COCOMO II," written with Barry Boehm and others, and "Software Cost Estimation Metrics Manual for Defense Systems," co-authored with Dr. Ray Madachy (Mad-a-key). Dr. Clark's leadership extends to having served twice as the President of the Boehm Center for Systems and Software Engineering, where he continues to contribute to fostering collaboration and innovation within the industry.
Doug started selling COCOMO tools for Macintosh in 1987 on a 3.5 inch floppy disc. The Parallel Agile book he wrote with Barry describes a management process for large scale parallel development that includes code generation - not very different from today's agentic AI.
