Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!bonnie.concordia.ca!nstn.ns.ca!news.cs.indiana.edu!sdd.hp.com!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!know!slug!wex From: wex@dali.pws.bull.com (Der Grouch) Newsgroups: comp.software-eng Subject: Re: Question about Allocating Resources: Engineering vs. Support Message-ID: Date: 28 Jan 91 21:35:26 GMT References: <14636@june.cs.washington.edu> Sender: news@pws.bull.com Organization: Bull Worldwide Information Systems Inc. Lines: 22 Nntp-Posting-Host: dali.pws.bull.com In-reply-to: bnfb@cs.washington.edu's message of 23 Jan 91 20:40:25 GMT In article <14636@june.cs.washington.edu> bnfb@cs.washington.edu (Bjorn Freeman-Benson) writes: --- Executive Summary --- Given a staffing level of N for a development cycle, what should the staffing level for maintainance and support be? I don't think it's possible to generalize this much. Several things are key to know - like what other support organization(s) will be involved? How many (if any) of the support personnel were involved in the development? How large is the customer base? How much change will be allowed as part of "support?" All these factors (and more) will be of far greater influence than the simple N. (Not to slam your proposal - I think such a rule of thumb would be interesting; just that I think you're barking up the wrong tree.) -- --Alan Wexelblat phone: (508)294-7485 Bull Worldwide Information Systems internet: wex@pws.bull.com "Honesty pays, but it doesn't seem to pay enough to suit some people."