Fraunhofer Center For Experimental Software Engineering—Maryland
Rose Pajerski · Encyclopedia of Software Engineering · 2002
Abstract In 1994, the Fraunhofer Gesellschaft ( www.fhg.de ) founded Fraunhofer USA as its not‐for‐profit affiliate to foster applied research and technology transfer activities with research institutions and industries in the United States. Since then, six separate centers have been established here, each center collaborating with both a local American university and one of the Fraunhofer Institutes in Germany. The Fraunhofer Center for Experimental Software Engineering, Maryland (FC‐MD) began operations in 1998 as the only Fraunhofer USA center to specialize in software and related engineering fields. The Center utilizes proven experimental approaches to introduce innovative techniques into industry. Its primary focus is to improve the quality of software‐related products and services by working directly with organizations, learning about their particular business needs, and tailoring improvement to those needs. As a member of Fraunhofer USA, FC‐MD participates in the corporate mission, to provide its customers with leading edge research and development to increase their worldwide competitiveness. FC‐MD's mission is to become a nationally and internationally recognized center for software engineering competence and the preferred partner with industry. FC‐MD emphasizes the use of knowledge bases and knowledge management approaches along with feedback and measurement mechanisms as the basis for helping companies become learning organizations. By using these proven techniques, the FC‐MD enables its clients to become more competitive in critical information technology fields.