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Date: Mon, 27 Nov 1995 9:31:20 -0500 (EST)
DRM@vaxa.switch.com


Pittsburgh Software Process Improvement Network (SPIN)
Meeting Announcement
6:30 - 9:00 p.m., Wednesday, December 6, 1995
Software Engineering Institute

Agenda

6:30 - 7:00		Networking, registration, refreshments
7:00 - 8:30		Guest Speaker:  Mary Shaw, Carnegie Mellon University 

	"Prospects for an Engineering Discipline of Software"

Abstract
Engineering fields evolve from craft through commercial practice before they 
integrate scientific knowledge to become true engineering disciplines.  
Coining the phrase "software engineering" in 1968 was an act of aspiration, 
not of description.  That phrase now refers to a collection of management 
processes, software tooling, and design activities for software development. 

The resulting practice, however, differs significantly from the practice of 
older forms of engineering. Examination of older engineering fields offers 
guidance about how we can move from aspiration to accomplishment.  This 
presentation begins by examining the usual practice of engineering and the 
way it has evolved in other disciplines.  This discussion provides a 
historical context for assessing the current practice of software production 
and setting out an agenda for attaining an engineering practice.
        *  How do engineering fields evolve?
        *  What is the current state of software practice?
        *  What can we learn from the history of engineering?
        *  Where is the underlying science to support engineering?
        *  How close are we to an engineering discipline of software?
        *  What should we do to achieve an engineering discipline?
Bio:
Mary Shaw is the Alan J. Perlis Professor of Computer Science and Associate 
Dean for Professional Programs, and member of the Human Computer Interaction 
Institute at Carnegie Mellon University.  She has been a member of this 
faculty since completing a Ph.D. degree at Carnegie-Mellon in 1972.  From 
1984 to 1987 she served as Chief Scientist of CMU's Software Engineering 
Institute.  She had previously received a B.A (cum laude) from Rice 
University and worked in systems programming and research at the Research 
Analysis Corporation and Rice University.  Her research interests in 
computer science lie primarily in the areas of programming systems and 
software engineering, particularly software architecture, programming 
languages, specifications, and abstraction techniques.  She has developed 
innovative curricula from the introductory to the doctoral level.

Come join us!  Please post this notice and distribute it broadly.  
Anyone interested may attend; however, please RSVP by December 1 if you 
plan to attend. 

RSVP
----
Don McAndrews	phone:	(412) 688-2328
e-mail:  drm@vaxa.switch.com	fax:	(412) 688-2399
NOTE:  We will be collecting $5 to cover refreshments and mailing fees.

Mission:  The Pittsburgh SPIN is a group of professionals who share a 
common interest in the field of software engineering and software process 
improvement.  The SPIN is a forum for free and open exchange of software 
process improvement experiences and ideas.  We promote mutual respect, 
software quality, and achieving higher levels of process maturity.  
Our mission is to help sustain commitment and enhance skills through 
an active program of networking, publications, recognition of excellence, 
and mutual support.








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Janice M. Marchok                                      (412)268-6815
Member of the Technical Staff               Internet:jmm@sei.cmu.edu