Managing Software Acquisition: Open Systems and COTS Products

The acquisition of open systems and commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) products is an increasingly vital element of corporate and government software development. Properly managed software acquisition offers potential for significant time and cost savings over a system's lifetime. The transition from proprietary, custom-built systems to systems based on standards and commercial products is not easy, however. Managers and their staff must understand the risks and opportunities associated with this acquisition approach.

Managing Software Acquisition presents the fundamental principles and best practices for successful acquisition of open, COTS-based systems. It explores the many opportunities and challenges of this approach, defines key terms, anticipates potential problems, and discusses the effect of software acquisition on the manager's job. The information presented addresses critical concerns affecting the entire software industry; it also discusses important issues particular to government acquisition.

• Promises and pitfalls of open, COTS-based system acquisition
• Implications for industry and government--quality, loss of control, and risk
• Reference models, architectures, and standards for open systems and COTS products
• Implications for cost, schedule, performance, and staff
• Engineering practices, including defining requirements, integration, testing, deployment, and support
• Contracting strategies and relationships with vendors
• Integrated acquisition using standards and COTS products

Each major section concludes with realistic, open-ended exercises that illustrate vital issues confronting software acquisition managers. In addition, the book includes an extensive reference section containing a glossary, list of acronyms, sample questions to help organizations evaluate their needs, and more.

B. Craig Meyers is a key figure at Carnegie-Mellon University's Software Engineering Institute (SEI), where he is involved in training and consulting on the acquisition of open, COTS-based systems. Patricia Oberndorf is a key figure at Carnegie-Mellon University's Software Engineering Institute (SEI), where she is involved in training and consulting on the acquisition of open, COTS-based systems.

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