Lessons Learned from a Large, Multi-Segment, Software-Intensive System

SEI Report
This 2009 report contains a series of observations and their associated lessons learned from a large, multi-segment, software-intensive system.
Publisher

Software Engineering Institute

CMU/SEI Report Number
CMU/SEI-2009-TN-013
DOI (Digital Object Identifier)
10.1184/R1/6575120.v1

Abstract

The SEI supported a large, multi-segment, software-intensive system program for six years. During this time, the SEI team observed technical, organizational, and management situations that affected the overall execution of the program. This paper records some of the observations and describes suggested (and, in some cases, implemented) solutions—for both historical purposes and for their potential benefit to future programs.

Cite This SEI Report

Foreman, J., & Lapham, M. (2009, September 1). Lessons Learned from a Large, Multi-Segment, Software-Intensive System. (SEI Report CMU/SEI-2009-TN-013). Retrieved September 11, 2026, from https://doi.org/10.1184/R1/6575120.v1.

@techreport{foreman_2009,
author={Foreman, John and Lapham, Mary Ann},
title={Lessons Learned from a Large, Multi-Segment, Software-Intensive System},
month={Sep},
year={2009},
number={{CMU/SEI-2009-TN-013},
institution={Software Engineering Institute, Carnegie Mellon University},
doi={10.1184/R1/6575120.v1},
url={https://doi.org/10.1184/R1/6575120.v1},
note={Accessed: 2026-Sep-11}
}

Foreman, John, and Mary Ann Lapham. "Lessons Learned from a Large, Multi-Segment, Software-Intensive System." (CMU/SEI-2009-TN-013). Software Engineering Institute, Carnegie Mellon University. Software Engineering Institute, September 1, 2009. https://doi.org/10.1184/R1/6575120.v1.

J. Foreman, and M. Lapham, "Lessons Learned from a Large, Multi-Segment, Software-Intensive System," Software Engineering Institute, Carnegie Mellon University. Software Engineering Institute, SEI Report CMU/SEI-2009-TN-013, 1-Sep-2009 [Online]. Available: https://doi.org/10.1184/R1/6575120.v1. [Accessed: 11-Sep-2026].

Foreman, John, and Mary Ann Lapham. "Lessons Learned from a Large, Multi-Segment, Software-Intensive System." (SEI Report CMU/SEI-2009-TN-013). Software Engineering Institute, Carnegie Mellon University, Software Engineering Institute, 1 Sep. 2009. https://doi.org/10.1184/R1/6575120.v1. Accessed 11 Sep. 2026.

Foreman, John; & Lapham, Mary Ann. Lessons Learned from a Large, Multi-Segment, Software-Intensive System. CMU/SEI-2009-TN-013. Software Engineering Institute. 2009. DOI: 10.1184/R1/6575120.v1. https://doi.org/10.1184/R1/6575120.v1