The work described in this paper is an investigation of COTS-based software development within a particular NASA environment, with an emphasis on the processes used. Fifteen projects using a COTS-based approach were studied and their actual process was documented. This process is evaluated to identify essential differences in comparison to traditional software development. The main differences, and the activities for which projects require more guidance, are requirements definition and COTS selection, high level design, integration and testing.

In this paper we characterize and model the cost of rework in a Component Factory (CF) organization.A CF is responsible for developing and packaging reusable software components.Data was collected on corrective maintenance activities for the Generalized Support Software reuse asset library located at the Flight Dynamics Division of NASA's GSFC.We then constructed a predictive model of the cost of rework using the C4.5 system for generating a logical classification model.The predictor variables for the model are measures of internal software product attributes.The model demonstrates good prediction accuracy, and can be used by managers to allocate resources for corrective maintenance activities.Furthermore, we used the model to generate proscriptive coding guidelines to improve programming practices so that the cost of rework can be reduced in the future.The general approach we have used is applicable to other environments.