XIV Brazilian Symposium on Software Engineering
Promoted by SBC, Brazilian Computer Society

Joao Pessoa -- Paraiba -- Brazil
October 4 - 6, 2000

Title:	Decisions and Delphi: How group decision-making affects estimation
Language:	English
Master:	Shari Pfleeger, University of Maryland, USA
Description:	In software engineering, estimation of effort or risk is often performed by a group. We examined what decision theorists have to say about group decision-making, and observed seven groups as they discussed their effort estimates for a small project. We found that personalities had more to do with confidence and consensus on an estimate than did expertise or years of experience.
Title:	Dependability of Computer-Based Systems
Language:	English
Master:	Cliff Jones, Newcastle University
Description:	This talk sets out a programme of work in the area of dependability which includes issues such as availability, reliability and security. The aim of the six-year research programme that we have just initiated is to tackle computer-based systems which encompass humans as well as hardware and software. The overall programme will be described in addition to a more detailed discussion of how formal methods ideas, coupled with structuring proposals, can help handle faults (mechanical and human) by viewing them as interference in the sense of concurrent programs.