Error Prediction Improves Software Quality

Managing multiple software projects in a networked environment is challenging. Not only must all projects meet the constraints of budget and schedule, but all delivered code must also meet the highest levels of software quality. Now there's a tool to help overcome these challenges for multiple software projects within the enterprise: Predictive® Server. With the capability to predict where errors will occur, you can target resources to fix critical code before the budget or schedule is affected. Powerful metrics and heuristics tools help analyze error patterns across projects, improving overall software quality in the long-term.

Web-based Access Supports Collaboration

With Predictive® Server, all of your software project teams can access the power of error prediction. Deployed on a dedicated server over your private network, your project managers and developers can use these tools to predict where errors will occur in current projects while cumulatively building a database of all error metrics and fixes. There is no need for additional software installation for the users; they can merely log in from their desktop or laptop PC.

A Knowledge Database for Your Quantitative Process

When Predictive® Server is used on a software project, error data and metrics are compiled and stored in the database from the very beginning of the project until the end. Not only does Predictive® Server help you manage risk for the project under development, but as you use it, your expanding database of metrics will also help your organization deliver better software and save development costs in the future.

Comprehensive Tool Set for Software Risk Management

Predictive® Server includes three distinct products integrated together to predict and manage errors for multiple projects. The three elements of Predictive® Server include:the Predictive® Scheduler, the Predictive® tool and user interface, and a dynamic problem tracker, InTrac. Each copy of Predictive® Server can handle up to five software projects, and can be expanded further with additional copies of the software. Predictive® Server is easy to use. Once it is installed on a server, the project manager or designated system administrator creates a "project" through the administrative interface. Then, the administrator runs Predictive® Server by first specifying a time through the Predictive® Scheduler.

After the scheduling step, Predictive® Server then is directed to the target code, where it does its analysis and generates metrics. The results are then automatically sent to the database. The administrator or project team members who have network access can then view results through the user interface. The color-coded display easily identifies code modules of high, medium, or low risk.

The problem tracker, InTrac, can be used independently of the other Predictive® Server elements or in conjunction with them. InTrac is dynamic, and the administrator can configure InTrac to analyze and display whatever fields are appropriate for the project. Developers and project team members can then use the configured InTrac to track and report the errors and fixes for their assigned portion of the project. InTrac interfaces with the project's database of error data and metrics, adding to the knowledge base for the project. The InTrac window is in web-page format, making it easy to update and use.