Daniel B French

Session 10: Measuring Tomorrow: Advancing Software Economics, Process Improvement, and Contract Governance in the AI Era
Time: 4:25 pm – 4:50 pm

Session Abstract
As Artificial Intelligence and emerging technologies such as Quantum Computing redefine the software development lifecycle, accelerating code generation, altering effort dynamics, and transforming contract governance, traditional estimation and measurement methods must evolve to respond to these new challenges. This panel fosters a multidisciplinary dialogue by connecting different essential perspectives of the technology ecosystem: the pragmatism of continuous delivery in Agility, the strategic vision of Project and Program Management (PMI), the business alignment and corporate IT governance of COBIT, the structured approach of High Process Maturity (CMMI), and the transformative impact of Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies like Quantum Computing.

At the center of this discussion, sizing functional requirements through Function Points and nonfunctional requirements alongside technical complexity via SNAP (Software Nonfunctional Assessment Process) serve as the connective tissue unifying these diverse management models and frameworks. Rather than analyzing each approach in isolation, the panel will demonstrate how neutral software measurement provides the common language needed to integrate governance, agility, and quality. Modern models of contract management and outcome based pricing will be examined, structured to enable cost reduction, productivity increases, and continuous improvement of processes and quality. Internationally renowned experts invited by IFPUG will bring their perspectives to the table, exploring how to harmonize financial predictability, quantitative control, and delivery flexibility in the Era of AI and Quantum Computing, projecting the future of software economics in the global market.

Key Takeaways & Reflections for Attendees
Realigning Governance with AI Acceleration: How to transition from effort based estimation models to value driven metrics when AI drastically reduces manual coding hours.

Harmonizing Frameworks: Practical insights on using Function Points and SNAP as a unified backbone to bridge Agile delivery, PMI project management, COBIT governance, and CMMI process maturity.

Modernizing Contract Strategy: Actionable approaches to structure vendor agreements, SLAs, and outcome based pricing models that protect margins while encouraging continuous improvement.

Future Proofing Software Economics: Strategic perspectives on maintaining quality, risk control, and ROI transparency as development shifts toward AI generated code and emerging architectures.

Speaker Bio:
Mr. French has over twenty-five years of experience in a broad spectrum of Information Technology roles including application analyst, developer, tester, project manager, and software measurement and estimation.  Additionally, he has developed CMMi and ISO compliant process improvement and software estimation processes.

He has been International Function Point User Group (IFPUG) member and Certified Function Point Specialist (CFPS) since 2000, having attained lifetime CFPS designation in 2020.  He currently serves as the IFPUG Board Director of the Partnerships and Events committee (PEC).  Prior to his election to the board, Dan served as the Certification Committee Chair after serving as the Certification Director on the IFPUG Board in his previous term.  Dan’s actively supported IFPUG for the past 20 years in a variety of positions including being a member of the New Environments Committee (NEC), serving as Chair and Vice Chair, a member of the Conference Committee, and more recently as Vice-Chair then Chair of the Functional Sizing Standards Committee (FSSC).

Dan is a regular presenter at industry conferences including International Software Metrics & Analysis (ISMA), International Cost Estimating & Analysis Association (ICEAA), College of Performance Management (CPM) and the Joint IT & Software Cost Forum (JITSWF) as well as IFPUG ISMA conferences.    He has authored or co-authored white papers and articles on several software measurement and estimation topics including the application of function point analysis to Data Warehouses, the use of function point analysis in COTS acquisitions and Agile estimating.

He is a member of ICEAA, the Project Management Institute (PMI), the Agile Alliance, and the General Accounting Office (GAO) Cost Expert & Agile Group, and the Joint AGILE Software Innovation (JASI) Cost Integrated Project Team (IPT) as well as being a Six Sigma Yellow Belt.

Mr. French holds a B.S. in Economics from the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (VPI&SU) and is a graduate of the Chubb Institute’s Top Gun training program.  Dan’s other certifications include the PMI certified Project Management Professional (PMP) and Agile Alliance Certified Scrum Master (CSM).