Homework 4: Questions for Midterm 1,
Due Friday 9/18 at 12pm (noon)
CSCI 510, Fall 2015
30 points
Purpose
The purposes of this assignment and the Midterm 1 Q&A class are to answer
questions of interest to class members, to help you study for the exam, and to clarify
the concepts presented to you via the lectures, assigned readings, and homework
assignments.
Assignment Expectations
Provide a numbered list of 3 questions you would like to be answered during the
Midterm 1 Q&A class on Mon 9/21, in order of priority (1 being highest priority to 3
being the lowest). The questions you list will influence the topics covered during
that class. Since we have limited time in the class, the first question you list will be
given heavier weight compared to the last 2.
Note that you are not being asked to suggest questions for the exam; you are being
asked to suggest questions that you would like answered during the 9/21 lecture.
Topics Covered
Below is a list of the lectures and their corresponding assigned readings and
homework. These topics are sources for possible questions, but you may submit
questions on other topics related to this part of the course.
 ICSM
o ICSM book Prologue, Ch. 0
 The ICSM 4 Principles
o ICSM book Ch. 1-4
o HW-1 (identifying success-critical stakeholders, applying ICSM
Principles), HW-2 (applying ICSM Principles, Making Decisions during
life cycle, Identifying and mitigating risks)
 Cost Estimation and COCOMO® II
o EP-1, EP-2
o HW-3 (Cost estimation, Feasibility Evidence, Prototyping)
 Using COCOMO® II for Software Decisions
o Section 2.6 of EP-2, ICSM book Ch. 14
Grading notes:
 Your questions should be specific (for example, asking “Please explain
COCOMO® II” is too broad).
 Your questions should include references from lecture slides, assigned
reading, and/or homework.
 Each question is worth 10 points:
o 5 points for demonstrated grasp of content and non-triviality
(question should not have a direct answer in lecture or reading, and
the question should include one or more references);
o 5 points for focus and specificity (question should not be broad).
 Graphs, figures, and multi-paragraph questions are discouraged (unless you
construct a graph or figure to explain your question). If your question refers
to a specific part of the book, slides, or homework, then the material
referenced should not be copied into your question.
 Note that the grade you get on a question will not affect its likelihood of being
answered during the 9/21 lecture.