Results of SEI Independent Research and Development Projects and Report on Emerging Technologies and Technology Trends (FY 2004)

Each year, the Software Engineering Institute (SEI) undertakes several Independent Research and Development (IR&D) projects. These projects serve to (1) support feasibility studies investigating whether further work by the SEI would be of potential benefit, and (2) support further exploratory work to determine whether there is sufficient value in eventually funding the feasibility study work as an SEI initiative. Projects are chosen based on their potential to mature and/or transition software engineering practices, develop information that will help in deciding whether further work is worth funding, and set new directions for SEI work. This report describes the IR&D projects that were conducted during fiscal year 2004 (October 2003 through September 2004). In addition, this report provides information on what the SEI has learned in its role as a technology scout for developments over the past year in the field of software engineering.