Quantifying requirements risk

Abstract

It is possible to apply Information Theory to the Software Development process - an approach I have dubbed 'Iterative Theory'. Focusing on the user requirements Iterative Theory is introduced and then used to quantify how the choice of development methodology affects the 'value at risk' on a software project. The central theme is that end-user requirements cannot be described exactly resulting in an inherent uncertainty in the correctness of any specification. This uncertainty can only be removed by receiving feedback on working software. Iterative Theory, the application of Information Theory to the software development process, is certainly an area requiring further study. © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2005.