What is Software Engineering?

Solving problems

1. Understand the problem
2. Analyze the problem

Find solutions

• Constructing the solution from parts that address the problem's various aspects - do a synthesis
• We use different methods or techniques (formal procedures for producing a result)
• Software Engineering is about designing and developing high quality software

Software Engineering IEEE definition:

• IEEE defines software engineering [IEEE-93] as

“The application of systematic, disciplined,quantifiable approach to development,operation, and maintenance of software; that is application of engineering to software.

Software Engineering Definition II

• Software Engineering is the discipline of developing and maintaining software systems that behave reliably and efficiently, and are affordable to develop and maintain.
• Software Engineering is a discipline concerned with the development of software systems by applying engineering principles with the goal of developing cost-effective quality systems.

• Software costs often dominate system costs. The costs of software on a computer are often greater than the hardware cost
• Software costs more to maintain than it does to develop. For systems with a long life, maintenance costs may be several times development costs
• Software engineering is concerned with cost-effective software development

There are many challenges in commercial software: 

• Develop customized products in a short time 
• Reduce costs for development and maintenance 
•  Develop basic building blocks that can be reused and adapted to various business processes and evolving environments 
• Develop scalable and distributable systems

Some Failed Projects 

•  2010 EDS $460.3 million Fine paid to settle lawsuit over a failed CRM project for British Sky Broadcasting. 
• 2009 National Offender Management Service [UK] $375 million Integrated offender management system (IT for prison and probation systems) failed due to a ‘vacuum of leadership’. 
• 2008 J. Crew $3 million Severe problems following a website and call center upgrade caused revenue loss. 
• 2007 Deloitte $40 million Poor requirements gathering and testing of LAUSD payroll system caused overruns. 
• 2006 US Department of Homeland Security $20 million Emerge2 (Enterprise resource planning system) due to the approach not being ‘balanced enough’.