Improving the Maintainability of Software

The monograph, Improving the Maintainability of Software, has the objective of providing practical guidance on the maintainability of software: maintainability definitions, factors, building and improvement suggestions, and an assessment method. The first part of this review provides an introduction to the monograph and discusses the general software maintainability guidance it provides. The second part provides a more in-depth review of the maintainability assessment method. This monograph is easy to read and understand. The guidance provided appeals to common sense and reflects an understanding of many software maintenance concerns. Although the scope of the monograph is primarily business information systems, the guidance is basically sound for many other types of applications in business, industry, government and military organizations. The defined framework of maintainability factors, features, and measures provides interesting guidance for discovering potential areas of concern. Identifying these areas of concern can be a basis for directing action and resources to the more critical maintenance activities. The maintainability assessment method provided by this monograph is not adequately supported by references or detailed information. Definitely read this monograph for its practical guidance. But be careful when applying the maintainability assessment method and analysing the results.