PRICE Systems, World Leader in Program Affordability Management Solutions

Cost Research Analysts

Arlene Minkiewicz
Chief Scientist

Years of Experience: 25 years at PRICE Systems

Areas of Coverage:

Ms. Minkiewicz is recognized as an expert in software estimating and measurement. She has conducted extensive research into cost issues associated with the development, deployment and maintenance of software applications. Some of her more recent research topics include cost implications of Commercial off the Shelf (COTS) software, Service Oriented Architecture, software security, agile software development and software technology readiness levels.

Roles And Responsibilities:

Ms Minkiewicz is responsible for the development of Cost Estimating Relationships for a variety of PRICE products. She currently directs the Cost Research function and holds responsibility for the development, maintenance and on-going enhancement of all of the CERs in PRICE's Suite of estimating solutions. She is responsible for development of two software estimation models, one for general purpose software estimating, and one focused exclusively on commercial software development projects. She has also created best of breed hardware and system level estimating capabilities for the PRICE TruePlanning framework.

Her cost engineering accomplishments include:

The research and development of the cost estimating algorithms for the PRICE TruePlanning's Software, Hardware, Systems, and IT estimating models
A patented method for estimating software size from artifacts of an object oriented analysis and design
The research and development of a comprehensive solution for estimating the costs of software projects that include commercial-off-the-shelf software (COTS)
A methodology and algorithms for estimating software size from use cases
An estimating solution that combines parametric estimating with activity based cost and budgeting
The research development of algorithms that model the costs of software security constraints
A methodology for estimating the costs associated with systems engineering and project management for systems and systems of systems
A methodology for estimating software size from requirements

Publications:

"The Evolution of Software Size : A Search for Value"
Crosstalk, Mar/Apr 2009
"The Evolution of Hardware Estimation"
ISPA Proceedings, June 2007
"Case Study and Assesment of a COTS Upgrade for a Satellite Ground System"
SCEA Proceedings, May 2006
"The Impact of Technology and Acquisition on Software Estiamting"
ISPA Proceedings, May 2006
"Tackling the Cost Challenges of Systems of Systems"
Crosstalk, May 2006
"Costs of Security in a COTS Based System"
Crosstalk, November 2005
"Estimating from Use Cases"
ISPA/SCEA Proceedings June 2005
"The Real Costs of Developing COTS Software"
ISPA Proceedings, May 2005
"Six Steps to a Successful COTS Implementation"
Crosstalk, August 2004
"Are Software COTS Solutions an Affordable Alternative"
IEEE Aerospace Proceedings, April 2004
"Cataloging an Activity Based Approach to Software Estimating"
SSTC Proceedings, May 2002
"Cost Challenges of Future Combat System Organic Air Vehicles"
ISPA Proceedings, June 2002
"Benchmarking for Better Planning and Estimating"
ISPA Proceedings, June 2001
"Parametric Cost Estimating Meets Activity Based Budgeting"
SSTC, ProceedingsMay 2001
"Leverage an Estimatingy Model to Climb the CMM Ladder"
Crosstalk, Dec 2000
"Estimating From Requirements"
ESCOM Proceedings,April 2000
"Software Measurement, What's in it for Me?"
Software Development, March 2001
"Estimating Size for Object Oriented Software"
SSTC Proceedings, 1998
"Predictive Object Points"
Lockheed Martin Conference on Systems and Software, 1998
"Managing Software Development for the Web"
British Software Review, Fall 1998
"Objective Measures"
Software Development, June 1997

Contributing Author to:

The Unified Process Inception Phase, Best Practices
CMP Books, 2000
IT Measurement: Practical Advice from the Experts
Addison Wesley, 2002
"The Closed Loop, Implementation Guide for Activity Based Budgeting"
CAM-I, 2004
Systems Cost Engineering
Gower Publishing 2009

Awards/Honors:

ISPA ... Best Paper Hardware Track - 2007
SCEA ... Best Paper Sofware Track - 2006
ISPA & SCEA ... Best Paper Software Track - 2004
ISPA Parametrician of the Year - 2002
Lockheed Martin Renaissaince Award - 1995

Education:

FORMAL:
- M.S. Computer Science, Drexel University
- B.S. Electrical Engineering, Lehigh University

PROFESSIONAL:
- Cost Estimating
  - PRICE Hardware Model Training Course (1988) (1987)
  - PRICE Software Model Training Course (1989) (1988)
- Software Design
  - PRIME Advanced Programming Course
  - PRIME Operating System Specialist Course
- General
  - RCA Effective Presentation Course (1989)
  - RCA Continuing Education/C Programming Language (1989)
  - Microsoft University C++ course (1993)

Cost Research Analysts

Arlene Minkiewicz Chief Scientist

Arlene Minkiewicz
Chief Scientist