Guidance on software maintenance
Roger J. Martin, Wilma M. Osborne · 1983
to promote cost effective selection, acquisition, and utilization of automatic data processing resources within the Federal Government.ICST efforts include research in computer science and technology, direct technical assistance, and the development of standards and guidelines for data processing equipment, practices, and software.As part of this responsibility and the growing need to improve software maintenance methods and management, the ICST is developing software maintenance guidance designed to assist Federal agencies in the ongoing support of existing computer systems.While software systems vary in function, type, and size, many of the functions performed under software maintenance are universal in scope and the activities required to keep them operational are generally the same.This is the first in a series of reports which address both the management and technical practices, procedures, and methods for software maintenance .This report provides general guidance for managing software maintenance efforts.It presents an overview of the various aspects and problems of software maintenance, and identifies those techniques and procedures designed to assist management in controlling and performing software maintenance.It addresses the need for a maintenance policy with enforceable controls for use throughout the software life cycle.The underlying theme is that improvements in the area of software maintenance will come primarily as a result of the software maintenance policies, standards, procedures, and techniques instituted and enforced by management.1 .