QSM has been an industry leader in software estimation, project tracking and control, and software metrics analysis. The following is a summary of major events in the QSM timeline:

1978: Larry Putnam forms Quantitative Software Management. Larry's experience in nuclear physics and statistical analysis leads to pioneering research, which creates the SLIM® Methodology (a coherent set of equations and processes to estimate software development projects). Parts of the SLIM Methodology are found in most popular commercial estimation tools today.

1979: The mainframe timesharing version of SLIM-Estimate is introduced. SLIM becomes the first tool to introduce and use Monte Carlo simulation to perform risk analysis and linear programming for optimized resource planning.

1980: SLIM becomes the first standalone desktop software estimation tool (Hewlett Packard 80 series). Innovation in this re-engineered version includes graphical outputs and a module that allows customers to collect and calibrate estimates with their own historical data.

1982: SLIM-Estimate is released on the IBM PC platform. The Rayleigh Defect prediction model makes its debut in this release.

1983: Pcubed is released; it is a simplified version of SLIM for 1- to 3-person projects.

1986: Size Planner is announced; a tool for software size estimation. Recognizing that size estimation is one of the most difficult challenges of software management, QSM introduces 5 independent approaches that can be averaged to develop more confidence in a size estimate. QSM is the first tool supplier to offer this capability to the market.

1989: SLIM-Control is launched. For the first time, this innovation enables mangers to perform "in-flight" analysis and forecasting of ongoing software projects. With SLIM, this was (and continues to be) the only integrated project estimation and control solution. New capabilities include: statistical process control bounds for plan vs. actual comparisons and curve fit forecasting of actual performance data to determine likely completion dates and budgets.

1992: SLIM-Estimate for Windows is released. This version of SLIM is totally re-engineered for the Windows GUI environment. Groundbreaking features include: graphical control gauges, dynamic risk gauges and multiple estimation views. Industry data and trends provide a "sanity check" for the estimates.

1994: SLIM-Metrics makes its debut. This is a first in the software measurement industry: it places industry productivity statistics right on the desktop. A powerful project repository, it provides query and analysis tools to compare projects against industry trendlines. It enables insights into the dynamics of software organizations and allows the analyst to customize benchmarking views.

1996: SLIM-Control undergoes a major reengineering. It provides interactive graphics displays for dynamic mid-stream project assessment. Because projects constantly undergo upheaving change, SLIM-Control provides management with ongoing impact analysis and real-time "what if" capability.

1998: SLIM-MasterPlan is launched to allow users the ability to visualize and anticipate resource requirements. SLIM-MasterPlan is the first tool to allow estimators to aggregate estimates of multiple product lines and multiple releases to see the "big picture." Innovative features allow graphical shifting of resources to optimize plans or reallocation of resources.

2001: The SLIM-Suite is introduced. This integrated set of estimation, tracking, and benchmarking tools covers all aspects of the software lifecycle.

2001: Estimate Express becomes available to provide a comprehensive, yet affordable, software project estimation solution designed for smaller companies or project managers with smaller projects.

2003/2004: The SLIM-Suite 6.0 is rolled out, with over 40 new and improved features across the entire tool suite to make this the premier software estimation product on the market.

2005: Michael Mah creates www.optimalfriction.com and joins the burgeoning blog universe. This blog is a forum for Michael and others concerned with the "ideal" balance of factors to create a harmonious work and personal life. Meanwhile, more data is collected through Michael's consulting practice and extensive speaking schedule to contribute to the next release of the SLIM tools. 

2006: QSM publishes the QSM IT Software Almanac, over 100 pages of in depth analysis drawn from QSM's world class database of software projects. SLIM-Suites 6.2 and 6.3 are released, bringing improved import/export integration with Microsoft Project and additional features to the SLIM Suite API, and the 2006 Users Conferences in the US and Europe give SLIM users the chance to share success stories and get a glimpse of the upcoming features of SLIM Suite 7.0.

2007: Application Development Series: A collaborative revision of the QSM IT Software Almanac with Cutter Consortium. This report offers an inside look at the current state of software development -- based on data collected over a three-year time span from an independent study that included 564 IT projects, in 16 countries, across 16 diverse industries. The metrics and benchmarking data revealed in this report helps companies assess, plan and better manage software development initiatives.

2008: The Cutter Benchmarking Community is launched; a collaborative virtual community, complete with proven templates to help collect and benchmark in-house projects against industry. Here companies can contribute key project metrics data and in return, learn how it stacks up against more than 7400 other projects. Members receive unlimited access to QSM's on-demand training module and easy-to-master tools and receive a custom Trendline Report. Plus, members receive Productivity Index (PI) calculations, comparing member organizations against the industry as a whole. Interested companies can join the collaborative QSM and Cutter Consortiums Benchmarking Community right now.

2008: QSM Associates partners with Rally Development, a leading provider of enterprise Agile training, coaching and enablement, to collaborate on gathering and analyzing Agile development trends. This groundbreaking study highlights results which offer insight into the benefits of successful Agile adoption.

The QSM Associates' team continues to offer workshops, training, vital industry information and, of course, the SLIM Suite of tools.