COTS Software Product Evaluation for Practitioners

This two-day course addresses the process and techniques that can be employed in the evaluation of commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) products in software-intensive systems.

The presentation covers fundamental definitions; an overview of some of the basic principles of COTS product evaluation; a process framework for COTS software product evaluation; and some useful techniques.

The instructors describe experiences and practices based on real-world case studies for COTS product evaluation.

The instructors deliver interactive instruction, interspersed with realistic exercises. They invite questions and discussion as much as possible. To allow for interaction and participation the number of attendees is limited to 20.

Who should attend?

• practitioners from both industry and government who are charged with COTS software product evaluation

Topics

• COTS products within system development
• COTS software evaluation requirements
• COTS software evaluation criteria
• COTS software evaluation techniques
• COTS software evaluations trade-offs

Objectives

• understand the impact of COTS products on the system development process
• determine evaluation requirements for COTS software
• develop COTS software evaluation criteria
• select COTS software evaluation techniques
• employ a COTS software evaluation process that addresses the inherent tradeoffs

Prerequisites

Participants should be familiar with COTS-based systems.

Materials

Materials that accompany the tutorial help participants to apply the concepts in their programs by giving reference materials and guides for evaluators.

• slides with extensive notes
• annotated bibliography on COTS product evaluation
• suggested categories to consider for evaluation criteria

Schedule

This two-day course meets at the following times:
Day 1, 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Day 2, 8:00 a.m. - 4:15 p.m.