William Richard Nichols
Software Engineering Institute
William "Bill" Nichols joined the SEI in 2006 as a senior member of the technical staff and served as a Personal Software Process (PSP) instructor and Team Software Process (TSP) coach. Before joining the SEI, Nichols led a software-development team at the Bettis Laboratory near Pittsburgh, where he had been developing and maintaining nuclear engineering and scientific software for 14 years. Nichols has a doctorate in physics from Carnegie Mellon University.
Publications by William Richard Nichols
-
Program Managers—The DevSecOps Pipeline Can Provide Actionable Data
April 24, 2023 • White Paper
Julie B. CohenWilliam Richard Nichols
This paper describes the Automated Continuous Estimation for a Pipeline of Pipelines research project, which automates data collection to track program progress.
read -
ACE/PoPs: Program Information at the Speed of Relevance
November 11, 2022 • Presentation
William Richard Nichols
This project envisions instrumenting the complex software production environments typical of the DoD to continuously monitor the DevSecOps pipeline and use that data to continuously update estimates for cost, schedule, and quality.
read -
Preview of ACE/PoPs: Program Information at the Speed of Relevance
November 07, 2022 • Video
William Richard Nichols
This short video provides an introduction to a research topic presented at the SEI Research Review 2022.
watch -
Challenges and Metrics in Digital Engineering
July 14, 2022 • Podcast
William Richard Nichols
Bill Nichols and Suzanne Miller discuss the challenges in making the transition from traditional development practices to digital engineering.
learn more -
Digital Engineering Effectiveness for Cyber-Physical Systems
May 19, 2022 • Presentation
Alfred SchenkerWilliam Richard NicholsTyler Smith (Adventium Labs, Inc.)
This presentation explores the reluctance of developers of cyber-physical systems to embrace digital engineering (DE), how DE methods should be tailored to achieve their stakeholders' goals, and how to measure the effectiveness of DE-enabled workflows.
read -
Digital Engineering Effectiveness
May 19, 2022 • White Paper
Alfred SchenkerTyler Smith (Adventium Labs, Inc.)William Richard Nichols
This paper explores the reluctance of developers of cyber-physical systems to embrace digital engineering (DE), how DE methods should be tailored to achieve their stakeholders' goals, and how to measure the effectiveness of DE-enabled workflows.
read -
Measuring DevSecOps: The Way Forward
October 14, 2021 • Podcast
William NicholsHasan Yasar
Bill Nichols and Hasan Yasar discuss the ways in which DevSecOps practices yield valuable information about software performance that is likely to lead to innovations in software engineering metrics.
learn more -
Busting the Myths of Programmer Productivity
December 09, 2020 • Webinar
William Nichols
Are the great programmers really 10 times faster than the rest? What does this difference in productivity even mean?
watch -
Challenging the Myth of the 10x Programmer
November 10, 2020 • Podcast
William Nichols
Bill Nichols, a researcher in the SEI's Software Solution Division, recently examined the veracity and relevance of the widely held notion that some programmers are much better than others (the 10x, programmer).
learn more -
Poster - Causal Models for Software Cost Prediction and Control
November 04, 2020 • Poster
Michael D. KonradWilliam NicholsRobert W. Stoddard
This poster describes CMU SEI's collaboration with other researchers to apply causal learning to learn how to control costs in software development and sustainment.
read -
PSP for the 21st Century
April 01, 2020 • Collection
Jim McHaleWilliam Nichols
Course materials for PSP for the 21st Century provide the modern software developer with a modular, flexible introduction to using the Personal Software Process in an agile world.
view -
PSP for the 21st Century: Block 1
April 01, 2020 • Educational Material
Jim McHaleWilliam Nichols
These are the course materials for Block 1 of PSP for the 21st Century, a modular, flexible introduction to using Watts Humphrey's Personal Software Process (PSP).
read -
Causal Models for Software Cost Prediction & Control (video)
November 12, 2019 • Video
Michael D. KonradWilliam NicholsRobert W. Stoddard
Watch SEI researchers Dr. Michael Konrad, Dr. William Nichols, Mr. Robert Stoddard, and Dr. David Zubrow discuss recent results from applying causal learning to control and predict software cost.
watch -
Causal Models for Software Cost Prediction and Control (video)
November 11, 2019 • Video
Michael D. KonradWilliam NicholsRobert W. Stoddard
Researchers at CMU SEI collaborated with other researchers to apply causal learning to learn how to control costs in software development and sustainment.
watch -
Causal Models for Software Cost Prediction and Control
October 28, 2019 • Presentation
Michael D. KonradRobert W. StoddardWilliam Nichols
This presentation describes work toward establishing causation with observational data, which remains a vital need and a key technical challenge.
read -
Causal Models for Software Cost Prediction & Control
October 28, 2019 • Poster
Michael D. KonradRobert W. StoddardWilliam Nichols
This poster provides an update on ongoing research to use causal learning in software cost prediction.
read -
DoD Developer’s Guidebook for Software Assurance
December 14, 2018 • Special Report
William NicholsTom Scanlon
This guidebook helps software developers for DoD programs understand expectations for software assurance and standards and requirements that affect assurance.
read -
Composing Effective Software Security Assurance Workflows
October 18, 2018 • Technical Report
William NicholsJim McHaleDavid Sweeney
In an effort to determine how to make secure software development more cost effective, the SEI conducted a research study to empirically measure the effects that security tools—primarily automated static analysis tools—had on costs and benefits.
read -
Why Does Software Cost So Much? Toward a Causal Model (March 2017)
March 23, 2017 • Presentation
Robert W. StoddardMichael D. KonradWilliam Nichols
This presentation shares early research results that may confirm some well-known drivers of DoD software cost and debunk others.
read -
Measuring Complexity for System Safety Assurance
March 23, 2017 • Presentation
Sarah SheardMichael D. KonradWilliam Nichols
This presentation describes a two-year research effort to define complexity measures for avionics systems in order to help the FAA identify when systems are too complex to assure their safety.
read -
TSP Secure
December 30, 2016 • Presentation
William Nichols
Presentation from the TSP Community of Practice Workshop, December 13-15, 2016.
read -
FAA Research Project on System Complexity Effects on Aircraft Safety: Testing the Identified Metrics
November 30, 2016 • White Paper
Michael D. KonradSarah SheardCharles B. Weinstock
This report describes a test of an algorithm for estimating the complexity of a safety argument.
read -
FAA Research Project on System Complexity Effects on Aircraft Safety: Estimating Complexity of a Safety Argument
November 30, 2016 • White Paper
Michael D. KonradSarah SheardCharles B. Weinstock
This report presents a formula for estimating the complexity of an avionics system and directly connects that complexity to the size of its safety argument.
read -
FAA Research Project on System Complexity Effects on Aircraft Safety: Candidate Complexity Metrics
November 30, 2016 • White Paper
William NicholsSarah Sheard
This special report identifies candidate measures of complexity for systems with embedded software that relate to safety, assurability, or both.
read -
Definition and Measurement of Complexity in the Context of Safety Assurance
October 27, 2016 • Technical Report
Sarah SheardMichael D. KonradCharles B. Weinstock
This report describes research to define complexity measures for avionics systems to help the FAA identify when systems are too complex to assure their safety.
read -
Evaluating and Mitigating the Impact of Complexity in Software Models
December 03, 2015 • Technical Report
Julien DelangeJim McHaleJohn J. Hudak
This report defines software complexity, metrics for complexity, and the effects of complexity on cost and presents an analysis tool to measure complexity in models.
read -
Predicting Software Assurance Using Quality and Reliability Measures
January 29, 2015 • Podcast
William NicholsCarol Woody
In this podcast, the authors discuss how a combination of software development and quality techniques can improve software security.
learn more -
Predicting Software Assurance Using Quality and Reliability Measures
December 22, 2014 • Technical Note
Carol WoodyRobert J. EllisonWilliam Nichols
In this report, the authors discuss how a combination of software development and quality techniques can improve software security.
read -
TSP-PACE: Process and Capability Evaluation, an Experience Report
November 05, 2014 • Presentation
Antonio Mejorado (Tecnológico de Monterrey University)Rafael Salazar (Tecnológico de Monterrey University)William Nichols
This TSP Symposium 2014 presentation presents results of TSP evaluations in PACE pilots and describes how they support organizational improvement and national benchmarking.
read -
SEMPR: The TSP Software Engineering Measured Performance Repository
November 04, 2014 • Presentation
William NicholsYasutaka Shirai (Toshiba)
This TSP Symposium 2014 presentation introduces data collected via the Process Dashboard tool and provides some initial benchmark statistics for project planning.
read -
When Measurement Benefits the Measured
June 30, 2014 • Webinar
Mark KasunicWilliam Nichols
During this webinar, we shared the performance results of over 100 software teams that have carefully tracked their schedule performance and the quality of their work.
watch -
Heartbleed: Analysis, Thoughts, and Actions
May 13, 2014 • Webinar
Will DormannRobert FloodeenBrent Kennedy
Panelists discussed the impact of Heartbleed, methods to mitigate the vulnerability, and ways to prevent crises like this in the future.
watch -
Data-Driven Software Assurance: A Research Study
May 09, 2014 • Technical Report
Michael D. KonradArt ManionAndrew P. Moore
In 2012, Software Engineering Institute (SEI) researchers began investigating vulnerabilities reported to the SEI's CERT Division. A research project was launched to investigate design-related vulnerabilities and quantify their effects.
read -
Adapting the PSP to Incorporate Verified Design by Contract
March 27, 2014 • Podcast
William NicholsSuzanne Miller
In this podcast, Bill Nichols discusses a proposal for integrating the Verified Design by Contract method into PSP to reduce the number of defects present at the unit-esting phase, while preserving or improving productivity.
learn more -
TSP Symposium 2013 Proceedings
January 08, 2014 • Special Report
Sergio Cardona (Universidad del Quindío)Silvana Moreno (Universidad de la República)William Nichols
This special report contains proceedings of the 2013 TSP Symposium. The conference theme was “When Software Really Matters,” which explored the idea that when product quality is critical, high-quality practices are the best way to achieve it.
read -
Toward A Quantified Reflection
September 18, 2013 • Presentation
William Nichols
Presentation given at TSP Symposium on September 17-19, 2013
read -
Team Software Process (TSP) Coach Mentoring Program Guidebook, Version 2.0
September 06, 2013 • Special Report
Timothy A. ChickJim McHaleWilliam Nichols
This guidebook explains the mentoring process required to become an SEI-Certified Team Software Process (TSP) Associate Coach, SEI-Certified TSP Coach, or SEI-Certified TSP Mentor Coach.
read -
TSP Performance and Capability Evaluation (PACE): Customer Guide
September 01, 2013 • Special Report
William NicholsMark KasunicTimothy A. Chick
This guide describes the evaluation process and lists the steps organizations and programs must complete to earn a TSP-PACE certification.
read -
TSP Performance and Capability Evaluation (PACE): Team Preparedness Guide
September 01, 2013 • Special Report
William NicholsMark KasunicTimothy A. Chick
This document describes the TSP team data that teams normally produce and that are required as input to the TSP-PACE process.
read -
PSP-VDC: An Adaptation of the PSP that Incorporates Verified Design by Contract
May 07, 2013 • Technical Report
Silvana Moreno (Universidad de la República)Álvaro Tasistro (Universidad ORT Uruguay)Diego Vallespir (Universidad de la República)
This paper describes a proposal for integrating Verified Design by Contract into PSP in order to reduce the amount of defects present at the Unit Testing phase, while preserving or improving productivity.
read -
TSP Symposium 2012 Proceedings
November 01, 2012 • Special Report
William NicholsShigeru Kusakabe (Kyushu University)Yoichi Omori (Kyushu University)
The 2012 TSP Symposium was organized by the SoThe goal of the TSP Symposium is to bring together practitioners and academics who share a common passion to change the world of software engineering for the better through disciplined practice.
read -
Analysis of Code Defect Injection and Removal in PSP
September 19, 2012 • Presentation
Diego Vallespir (Universidad de la República)William Nichols
Presentation given at TSP Symposium on September 18-20, 2012
read -
How a Disciplined Process Enhances & Enables Agility
September 04, 2012 • Podcast
Bill Nichols
In this podcast, Bill Nichols discusses how a disciplined process enables and enhances agility
learn more -
Results of SEI Line-Funded Exploratory New Starts Projects
August 01, 2012 • Technical Report
Len BassRick KazmanEdwin J. Morris
This report describes the line-funded exploratory new starts (LENS) projects that were undertaken during fiscal year 2011. For each project, the report presents a brief description and a recounting of the research that was done, as well as a synopsis of the results of the project.
read -
A PSP Analysis of Defects Injected During Detailed Design
September 21, 2011 • Presentation
Diego Vallespir (Universidad de la República)William Nichols
This presentation was given at the TSP Symposium on September 20-22, 2011.
read -
A Cost Model and Tool to Support Quality Economic Trade-off Decisions
May 23, 2011 • Presentation
William Nichols
This presentation was part of the Second International Workshop on Managing Technical Debt, held in conjunction with ICSE 2011.
read -
Using TSP Data to Evaluate Your Project Performance
September 01, 2010 • Technical Report
Shigeru SasaoWilliam NicholsJames McCurley
A set of measures was determined that allow analyses This report discusses the application of a set of measures to a data set of 41 TSP projects from an organization to identify their strengths and weaknesses.
read -
Team Software Process (TSP) Body of Knowledge (BOK)
July 01, 2010 • Technical Report
Watts S. HumphreyTimothy A. ChickWilliam Nichols
The TSP BOK helps practitioners and employers assess and improve their skills, and shows academic institutions how to incorporate TSP into their engineering courses.
read -
Team Software Process (TSP) Coach Mentoring Program Guidebook, Version 1.1
June 01, 2010 • Special Report
Timothy A. ChickRobert CannonJim McHale
This guidebook is designed to explain the steps for becoming an SEI-Certified Team Software Process (TSP) Coach or SEI-Certified TSP Mentor Coach, with emphasis on guiding individuals through the mentoring process.
read -
TSP and Secure Coding
September 23, 2009 • Presentation
Noopur Davis (Davis Systems)Philip MillerBill Nichols
Presentation given at TSP Symposium on September 21-24, 2009 in New Orleans, Louisiana
read -
A Star is Made: Attaining Excellence through Deliberate Practice
September 21, 2009 • Presentation
William NicholsMarsha Pomeroy-Huff
This presentation was given at the TSP Symposium on September 21-24, 2009, in New Orleans, Louisiana.
read -
Team Software Process (TSP) Coach Mentoring Program Guidebook
August 01, 2009 • Special Report
Timothy A. ChickRobert CannonJim McHale
This guidebook is designed to explain the steps for becoming an SEI-Certified Team Software Process (TSP) Coach or SEI-Certified TSP Mentor Coach, with emphasis on guiding individuals through the mentoring process. This guidebook defines the structure and format of the mentor and provisional coach relationship, and explains the process steps and evaluation criteria for becoming an SEI-Certified TSP Coach or Mentor Coach.
read -
The Personal Software Process (PSP) Body of Knowledge, Version 2.0
August 01, 2009 • Special Report
Marsha Pomeroy-HuffRobert CannonTimothy A. Chick
The Personal Software Process (PSP) body of knowledge (BOK) provides guidance to software professionals who are interested in using proven-effective, disciplined methods to improve their personal software development process.
read -
Deploying TSP on a National Scale: An Experience Report from Pilot Projects in Mexico
March 01, 2009 • Technical Report
William NicholsRafael Salazar
This report communicates status, progress, lessons learned, and next steps for the Mexican TSP Initiative.
read -
Deploying TSP to a Nation: Early Results from Mexico
September 24, 2008 • Presentation
Bill Nichols
Presentation given at TSP Symposium on September 22-25, 2008
read -
Dealing with Resistance: Tools of the Change Warrior
September 23, 2008 • Presentation
Bill NicholsAlan Willett
Presentation given at TSP Symposium on September 22-25, 2008
read -
Certifying Software Organizations
September 22, 2008 • Presentation
Watts S. HumphreyBill Nichols
Presentation given at TSP Symposium on September 22-25, 2008
read