SPaMCAST 128 -Garmus, Russac, Edwards, Certified Function Point Specialist Examination Guide

Welcome to the Software Process and Measurement Cast 128! SPaMCAST 128 features my interview with with Dave Garmus, Janet Russac and Royce Edwards discussing thier book, .  If you are interested in functional metrics this interview will be right down your alley. This was David Garmus’ fourth book. Two of his previous books were co-authored with his business partner, David Herron, on functional measurement. Mr. Garmus is an acknowledged authority in the sizing, measurement and estimation of software application development and maintenance. As a co-founder of the David Consulting Group, he  supports software development organizations in achieving software excellence with a metric-centered approach. Mr. Garmus is a Past President of IFPUG and member of the IFPUG Counting Practices Committee. He has a BS from the University of California at Los Angeles and an MBA from Harvard University Graduate School of Business Administration. He has spoken at numerous conferences and written many articles and books on various measurement related topics. Mr. Garmus is a Certified Function Point Specialist, having fulfilled all IFPUG requirements for this title under all releases of the IFPUG Counting Practices Manual, and a Certified Software Measurement Specialist. Ms. Russac has over 30 years of experience as a programmer, analyst and measurement specialist in software application development and maintenance. In 2008, she formed her own company, Software Measurement Expertise, Inc. (SME). Prior to that, she worked for The David Consulting Group, Software Productivity Research, IBM Global Services and Prudential Insurance as a lead function point analyst, software measurement specialist, estimator and instructor in these areas. She has implemented software development measurement programs and used various software development metrics, including function points, to recommend business decisions and identify best practices and process improvements in client organizations. In addition, Ms. Russac is a published author and presents workshops at companies, professional organizations and conferences, as well as being a featured speaker at conferences.Ms. Russac is on the Board of Directors for the International Function Point Users Group (IFPUG). Royce Edwards is a senior consultant for Software Composition Technologies, where he applies function point analysis and software estimation techniques to resolve business challenges in software development organizations. He is a software management professional with over 25 years of experience in development, reverse engineering, systems administration, architecture, and software analysis. Mr. Edwards brings an accomplished and unique skill set to software measurement and estimation. He has advised a diverse list of clients in the telecommunications, manufacturing, scientific, government, and information technology areas, and he has mastered the adaptation of solutions to meet the needs of varied organizational environments. Mr. Edwards frequently teaches workshops related specifically to Web application measurement. He has presented research papers at conferences and has written articles and white papers for various publications. Mr. Edwards is a Certified Function Point Specialist and a member of the IFPUG Counting Practices Committee. Contact Information:David Garmus:  Janet Russac:  Royce Edwards: Shameless Ad for my book! co-authored by Murali Chematuri and myself and published by J. Ross Publishing. We have received unsolicited reviews like the following: "This book will prove that software projects should not be a tedious process, neither for you or your team." Have you bought your copy? Contact information for the Software Process and Measurement CastEmail:  Voicemail:  +1-206-888-6111Website: Twitter: Facebook:  Next!SPaMCAST 129 I will continue  "Agile is from Venus and PMOs are from Mars". This essay has sparked a bit of controversy . . . and part two may add to it.