We help solve the toughest deadline and budget challenges on software projects, through use of state-of-the-art software measurement and estimating tools combined with techniques from modern negotiation science. We’ve been helping our clients achieve this for over 15 years.

We offer the SLIM Tool Suite, a powerful knowledge-based family of project measurement, estimation, and control models, derived from the pioneering research of Larry Putnam Sr., founder and chief scientist of Quantitative Software Management (QSM). Larry is considered one of the fathers in the field of software measurement and estimation.

The SLIM tools contain knowledge from a current-day industry database of over 7,000 completed projects collected worldwide, both in-house and outsourced, domestic and offshore, for engineering and business IT applications. They provide agile managers with the ability to measure and estimate software projects in days instead of weeks. SLIM provides industry productivity and project trends on the desktop against which projects can be compared.

QSM Associates combines this metrics science with effective negotiation techniques drawn from the Program on Negotiation. PON is an inter-university consortium made up of Harvard University, Tufts University and MIT. It is committed to improving the theory and practice of negotiation. We help our clients solve their toughest negotiation challenges by providing SLIM technology combined with these modern negotiation techniques. We provide training classes in measurement, estimation, and negotiation. In addition, we advise our clients through our negotiation consulting and executive coaching.

Finally, through the Cutter Consortium, an industry think-tank based outside of Boston, MA, we publish executive reports and research in the areas of agile project management, business IT trends, outsource advisory, and software measurement and benchmarking. Cutter Consortium provides IT executives with the latest research from the industry’s thought leaders. It is made up of more than 100 internationally recognized experts who have done, and are doing, groundbreaking work in organizations worldwide, helping companies deal with issues in core areas in the field of information technology.