ALM

Turning off cloud services, tuning into cloud apps jobs

Learn why customers are moving away from cloud services and turning toward cloud apps jobs.Cloud development

Can managers perform root cause analysis before product launch?

Product management expert Scott Sehlhorst explains how to perform root cause analysis focused on user needs to prevent potential product failures.Answer

Software lifecycle: Pay early attention to cloud performance

Applying the right development and test techniques early in the software lifecycle helps teams stave off cloud performance failures later.Feature

FAQ: Load testing software and application performance management

Managing performance with load testing software still happens too late in the lifecycle. This FAQ explains why performance is best addressed early.FAQ

Application performance manager: Making the most of limited resources

Advice from an application performance manager on setting priorities; getting developers to do scalability tests early in the life cycle.Feature

Mobile 2013: Fusion apps better for business

In 2013, multilayered fusion apps will combine data from multiple sources, creating new business opportunities for companies that develop them.Feature

Managing mergers: Test professional best practices

QA lead Gerie Owen offers firsthand advice for test professionals on managing mergers.Feature

The Agile method remains confusing for software professionals

The Agile method is subject to interpretation, according to a recent voke inc. survey. More than 200 software professionals defined Agile differently.Feature

Aptela uses APM appliance to fix networking issues

When Aptela needs to gather information on a client's network problems, they send them a cloud-based APM microappliance.Feature

Application performance management tools: A must-have for the cloud

SSQ contributor Crystal Bedell talks to APM experts about considerations for decision makers when evaluating APM tools for their cloud-based applications.News | 01 May 2012

How do we define user experience design requirements for mobile apps?

User experience design is a huge part of building successful mobile applications. Gathering requirements for UX design is a must.Answer

Convince executives to be a part of writing business requirements

To get requirements gathering right, reluctant executives have to be convinced to take part in the process of writing business requirements.Answer

Release manager on software rollout: Let business goals drive code changes

An experienced release manager offers advice on software rollouts: Let business goals and tight controls drive code changes.Feature

The whole team approach to QA/test time

QA/test role does not just belong to the test manager. In the whole team approach, the responsibility is spread throughout the team.ATE

Protecting software: Writing security requirements

Business analysts and product managers play an important role in protecting software. Requirements expert Scott Sehlhorst explains more.ATE

Requirements management process: Security and application performance

Organizations need to explicitly address security and application performance during the requirements management process according to expert Dan Cornell.Answer

Gathering project requirements up front in Agile

While many people believe Agile development eliminates the need for gathering project requirements up front, that idea is misleading.Answer

Software defects increase cost of Agile projects

Fixing software defects can increase the cost of Agile software development projects, according to a recent voke inc. survey.Feature

Critical elements of the latest requirements management tools

As requirements management becomes more of a focus, teams must examine available tools and how to make the most of them. In this expert response, Kevin Parker offers several important factors to consider when it comes to requirements management tools, including process-centricity and collaboration.Answer

Requirements gathering and ALM: How to improve the process

More and more organizations are looking for ways to improve their requirements gathering and management processes, according to expert Kevin Parker.Answer

Mobile apps development: Dealing with tight release cycles

Mobile apps development projects require shorter release cycles. Kevin Parker explains how automation can help teams cope with the tight time frame.Answer

Automated applications deployment: DevOps, no matter what you call it

Automated applications deployment is essentially the same thing as DevOps—no matter what name is used.Answer

PCI SSC introduces cloud compliance guidelines

A branch of the Payment Card Industry Security Standards Council has released guidelines designed to clarify the murky rules of cloud compliance.News | 18 Feb 2013

DevOps definition: Best explained by what it's not

What's the best way to come up with an accurate DevOps definition? Explain what it's not, application development experts say.News | 24 Jan 2013

FAQ: What does 'development operations' really mean?

This DevOps FAQ explains what 'development operations' means, and explores the many ways in which the term is commonly used.FAQ

Top IT job skills for DevOps managers

The ability to analyze information and communicate clearly are among the top IT job skills the emerging role of DevOps manager requires.Answer

Beyond DevOps: WebOps reduces cloud deployment risk

WebOps goes beyond deployment and manages the business activity of the application, ensuring proper infrastructure capacity for that process.Tip

Modernizing ALM and development for virtual resources and the cloud

Organizations are seeking ways to modernize their development and ALM planning and processes for virtual resources and the cloud environment.Tip

Cloud security in the ALM process

Cloud security is an important factor in deployment and should be included in the ALM process.Tip

Release management: How DevOps facilitates collaboration

Collaboration is essential to release management success, according to expert Kevin Parker. He explains how DevOps enables collaboration.Answer

Modernizing ALM and development for virtual resources and the cloud

Organizations are seeking ways to modernize their development and ALM planning and processes for virtual resources and the cloud environment.Tip

Evaluating IT activities: When is it time to replace old software?

ALM expert Kevin Parker discusses four factors for measuring your IT activities to determine if your current systems and applications need to be replaced.ATE

How to protect digital assets while executing code changes

In response to swift industry changes, ALM expert Kevin Parker calls for strict version control of all code to protect digital assets.ATE

Technical debt: What is it and why should CIOs care?

CIOs and senior managers will hear from three industry experts who explain what technical debt is, why it occurs and what leaders can do now to address this business risk.Tip

Instant messaging and wikis: Social media tools critical to ALM

In this response, ALM expert Kevin Parker discusses the evolution of chat platforms and wikis amongst developers, explaining how managers can use these technologies to their advantage.Answer

Strategies for scaling Agile beyond simple code-and-deploy environments

In this tip, consultant Michael Kelly shares some models and strategies that will help teams stay Agile as projects grow.Tip

The Leadership Tutorial: Improving Your Ability to Stand and Deliver

Andy KaufmanVideo

What enterprises should keep in mind when selecting ALM tools

Every enterprise has different factors to consider when choosing ALM tools. In this expert response, Mike Jones discusses three primary drivers that the enterprise IT shop must weigh when selecting ALM tooling. He also discusses the effects of "flowing" teams on the application lifecycle.Answer

Software iteration deployment: The importance of retrospectives, feedback and celebration

The end of a software iteration marks a time when there should be retrospectives, feedback from customers and celebration. SSQ Contributor Chris McMahon describes his end-of-iteration experiences in Agile environments. McMahon explains his somewhat controversial stance against lean/kanban for software development, and why he found working with the approach depressing and oppressive.Tip

Software documentation is important in Agile environments

It’s a fallacy to think that documentation is not important in agile environments. Agile expert Lisa Crispin points out that "living" documentation that stays kept up-to-date can be attained by the use of wikis or via automation tools, using techniques in which the tests themselves provide the most current documentation.Answer

How to protect digital assets while executing code changes

In response to swift industry changes, ALM expert Kevin Parker calls for strict version control of all code to protect digital assets.ATE

Defining configuration management

In this tip, Heusser explains that configuration management is a context-specific term, but that it ultimately means reducing the risk of failure due to change.Tip

Configuration management: Does your development team have enough?

SSQ contributor Matt Heusser, describing techniques such as push-button build, continuous integration and push-button deploy, gives tips to help you decide just how much configuration management is right for your team.Tip

application lifecycle management (ALM)

Application lifecycle management (ALM) is the supervision of a software application from its initial planning through retirement. It also refers to how changes to an application are documented and tracked.Definition

ALM vendors try to make life easier for software teams, deployments

ALM tool vendors are making progress in addressing the needs of their customers with new tools and improved features that support open source and other commercial offerings. Vendors CollabNet and Rally are in the process of answering developer requests for tooling that has built-in features catering to agile teams as well as improved testing metrics and support.Article | 29 Jun 2010

Polarion rolls out application lifecycle management platform

Polarion ALM for Subversion 3.0, an integrated application lifecycle management (ALM) platform built on the open source Subversion version control system, provides one interface and repository to eliminate interface problems among development groups.Article | 10 Sep 2007

versioning

Versioning is the creation and management of multiple releases of a product, all of which have the same general function but are improved, upgraded or customized... (Continued)Definition

Xcitek makes software quality rebound

Xcitek, maker of securities processing software, increased software quality and customer satisfaction using quality assurance (QA) automation tools from Compuware and a continuous integration development method.Article | 27 Feb 2007

Planning requirements for multiple software product releases

Most software products evolve over time. The challenge is creating a release strategy that provides the maximum customer value consistent with budgets, schedules, resources and business objectives. This article written by Karl E. Wiegers describes two techniques for planning such release strategies.Tip

Release manager on software rollout: Let business goals drive code changes

An experienced release manager offers advice on software rollouts: Let business goals and tight controls drive code changes.Feature

Evaluating IT activities: When is it time to replace old software?

ALM expert Kevin Parker discusses four factors for measuring your IT activities to determine if your current systems and applications need to be replaced.ATE

How to protect digital assets while executing code changes

In response to swift industry changes, ALM expert Kevin Parker calls for strict version control of all code to protect digital assets.ATE

Updating tools and processes key to overcoming SCM challenges

Migrating legacy applications to a cloud environment

Migrating legacy applications to a cloud environment is a multi-step process that needs to be done in a structured manner.Answer

Updating tools and processes key to overcoming SCM challenges

SCM, which refers to both software change management and software configuration management, is often thought of as the heart of application lifecycle management. In this article, Crystal Bedell looks at current challenges and updates you on the latest trends so that your organization can best take advantage of SCM.Feature

Change management: Agile adoption with knowledge, attitude and action

Read this tip for advice from SSQ Site Editor Yvette Francino on how to implement the KAA model (knowledge, attitude, action) in your Agile adoption or other change management scenario.Tip

Social media in business: Breaking down organizational silos

In this interview with Michael Brito, author of "Smart Business, Social Business – A Playbook for Social Media in Your Organization," we learn about how social media is being used, not just for marketing and PR, but internally as well to help break down organizational silos.News | 14 Sep 2011

Automating your release management processes with CI

Quality is a necessary, but not a sufficient condition, to have a successful release and deployment of software. Learn the rationale and issues to consider when designing a continuous deployment framework for your codebase.Tip

Change management and impact analysis: Reviewing requirements changes

Expert Sue Burk explains the importance of gaining proper approval for requirements changes and offers suggestions for the most efficient ways to communicate between analysts, architects, developers and project managers.Answer

How does the buyer persona affect the product management process?

End users ultimately decide the worth of an enterprise product, but not before products pass a buyer persona first.Answer

Mobile 2013: Fusion apps better for business

In 2013, multilayered fusion apps will combine data from multiple sources, creating new business opportunities for companies that develop them.Feature

Evaluating IT activities: When is it time to replace old software?

ALM expert Kevin Parker discusses four factors for measuring your IT activities to determine if your current systems and applications need to be replaced.ATE

How enterprises can best select from the various ALM tool options

Enterprises have several ALM tool options. They can best address their specific needs by identifying what is most important for their organization.Answer

How continuous development can reduce cost challenges in ALM

Software consultant Nari Kannan writes about the cost challenges in application lifecycle management and how continuous development can reduce them.Tip

APM in ALM: Keeping competitive by building the right apps

A wise step for many software development companies is to get a handle on the many applications in use and better plan and manage application and project portfolios.Feature

APM processes: Determining apps’ business value

Application portfolio management aids decision makers in determining business ROI of applications.Tip

Portfolio management and “end-to-end” ALM: What tools are needed?

Expert Kevin Parker advocates for the integration of the people, processes, tools and automation in the application development lifecycle in order to achieve effective portfolio management.Answer

Portfolio management in the Agile product lifecycle

Expert Scott Sehlhorst explains how goals shift in an Agile lifecycle and describes the impact of changes on the portfolio management process.Answer

Moving to DevOps speeds deployment and boosts ROI

The DevOps model is gaining popularity and offers many benefits, according to STAREAST 2012 presenter Manoj Narayanan.News | 20 Apr 2012

Editor’s Note: Putting simplicity in the software process

ALM tools: What to consider before integrating

ALM process: Why poor integration among tools hurts team productivity

Fragile integrations among point tools in application lifecycle management suites prevent software teams from realizing ALM process gains.Answer

Enterprise software development collaboration with CALM and CDEs

Committing to software development collaboration tools and techniques helps distributed teams consistently deliver quality enterprise applications.Tip

ALM communication methods in a distributed world

Designing and implementing ALM quality dashboards

Agile development provides ALM transparency for senior managers

JavaOne 2012: Improving ALM workflow with automation in Oracle PaaS

Application lifecycle management changes the way developers work when teamed with platform as a service, according to one ALM expert at JavaOne 2012.Video

Cloud-based tools, Agile and DevOps accelerate application deployment

Developers and QA testers are increasing application deployment speeds as a result of cloud-based tools and shifting roles in DevOps environments.Feature

How enterprises can best select from the various ALM tool options

Enterprises have several ALM tool options. They can best address their specific needs by identifying what is most important for their organization.Answer

Cyber Monday

Cyber Monday is a marketing event created to promote online sales. The day falls on the Monday after Black Friday, which directly follows American Thanksgiving Day.Definition

Expanding cloud-based technologies: Application performance issues

Teams must take into account application performance implications when broadening use of cloud-based technologies.Answer

Preventing application availability and SaaS issues in the cloud

Application architects and designers must not ignore failure detection and resolution when designing applications for the cloud, according to expert Kevin Parker. In this response, he suggests tips related to SLAs, SaaS features and availability for cloud-based applications.Answer

Application testing in the cloud: SDLC considerations

Applications are increasingly moving to the cloud, posing platform challenges for developers and testers. ALM expert Kevin Parker offers useful advice for selecting a cloud vendor, setting up SLAs and making use of automated release in the software development life cycle.Answer

How to create a strong cloud SLA for APM

This tip offers considerations for setting up service level agreements (SLAs) for application performance management (APM).Tip

The Leadership Tutorial: Improving Your Ability to Stand and Deliver

Andy KaufmanVideo

New HP Application Lifecycle Management 11 could boost ALM adoption, even in non-HP shops

Facilitating application modernization with application lifecycle management (ALM) is the key goal for HP’s new HP ALM 11 platform, which promises to unify and automate all application-centric processesNews | 30 Nov 2010

Software performance management tips for Cyber Monday

E-tailers prepare for the holiday season by ensuring their applications are set to perform. In this story, Colleen Frye examines application performance management solutions with some sound advice from e-tailers on how to best tune for optimal performance.Article | 08 Nov 2010

Happy customers through high-performing service level agreements (SLAs)

Software pro Kay Diller describes how to set up an effective system to ensure high-performing SLAs. By using automated monitoring systems, operating level agreements (OLAs) and staying informed as an SLA manager, your customers will know their application is safe and secure.Tip

Spherion cuts costs, boosts application performance with Foglight

Spherion was experiencing a lot of application performance issues with its PeopleSoft payroll processing application, but implementing the Quest Foglight APM tool made a world of difference.Article | 06 Apr 2009

SDLC process: What will ALM of the future do?

Future application lifecycle management suites must support the increasingly complex SDLC process -- where constant software updates will be the norm.Answer

Software lifecycle: BYOD means more mobile updates

Bring-your-own-device policies have profound implications for enterprise mobile release management. Can your team handle the constant updates?Answer

Mobile ALM guide

This guide outlines common mobile ALM challenges and explores the various ways software professionals can meet and solve them.Tutorial

Mobile ALM guide

New mobile application lifecycle management challenges arise as mobile apps gain business stature.Learning Guide

Mobile ALM FAQ: Answers to mobile development questions

From planning to deployment, mobile ALM projects pose steep hurdles for software teams. This FAQ explains mobile ALM challenges.FAQ

How continuous development can reduce cost challenges in ALM

Software consultant Nari Kannan writes about the cost challenges in application lifecycle management and how continuous development can reduce them.Tip

Textbook vs. enterprise Agile development: Adapting Scrum to scale

Implementing Agile using a Scrum framework, which requires creating cross-functional teams, can be tough. One solution is adapting enterprise Agile.Tip

The new project management for Agile ALM

Changing times require managers to acquire new project management skills for the Agile ALM environment.Tip

Agile project management using the Cynefin framework

Learn how the Cynefin framework facilitates problem solving, Agile project management and teamwork.Tip

APM in ALM: Keeping competitive by building the right apps

A wise step for many software development companies is to get a handle on the many applications in use and better plan and manage application and project portfolios.Feature

Cloud outages: What to do when cloud services and apps fail

Learn how to identify cloud outages quickly and best practices for resolutions.Feature

Mobile ALM guide

This guide outlines common mobile ALM challenges and explores the various ways software professionals can meet and solve them.Tutorial

Mobile ALM guide

New mobile application lifecycle management challenges arise as mobile apps gain business stature.Learning Guide

PCI SSC introduces cloud compliance guidelines

A branch of the Payment Card Industry Security Standards Council has released guidelines designed to clarify the murky rules of cloud compliance.News | 18 Feb 2013

Mobile app development trends to watch

Learn about the changes in mobile app development and what this means for software application architecture.Tip

Cloud ALM: How to plan your project

Advice for cloud ALM projects: make sure that your test sandboxes cannot access production databases or other resources.Tip

Cloud-based ALM: Does it make sense for your team?

It's a reasonable approach -- cloud-based ALM -- especially if the application under development will be deployed there.Answer

Modernizing ALM and development for virtual resources and the cloud

Organizations are seeking ways to modernize their development and ALM planning and processes for virtual resources and the cloud environment.Tip

SaaS application security: Risks and best practices

Integrating SaaS applications and on-premises applications causes security risks and questions the level of governance.Tip

Cloud security in the ALM process

Cloud security is an important factor in deployment and should be included in the ALM process.Tip