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Introduction to Software Engineering (APPEL-vISWE)Systems Engineering & Engineering

PARTICIPANT TESTIMONIALS

  • Systems Engineering & Engineering
    Systems Engineering & Engineering

This two-day course provides an overview of NASA’s software requirements, software development processes, improvement methods, and metrics. Course attendees will gain an understanding of what is expected of individuals involved in software development and/or acquisition at NASA. Additionally, attendees will come to understand why NASA uses established practices, procedures, and standards in software engineering projects. Finally, course participants will acquire the fundamental knowledge needed for follow-on courses designed to demonstrate how to respond to software engineering challenges.

This course is designed for managers, systems engineers, IT personnel, and others needing an understanding of software engineering as it is practiced within NASA. This course will be particularly useful for anyone who needs an introduction to the software engineering discipline: new hires, interns, project managers, system engineers, and those in the early stages of their software development careers. This course will also be useful for any personnel developing software in any domain and for personnel responsible for integrating software into a system or systems.

Systems Engineering Competencies

Click here to view the Competency Models.

APPEL Library Resource
NASA GALAXIE Information System NASA GALAXIE Information System
All supplemental resources are NASA accessible only unless otherwise noted.

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:

  • Explain software's role in and importance to NASA programs.
  • Properly interpret and apply NASA software engineering policies, requirements, templates, tools, checklists, and guidelines.
  • Recognize and respond to early warning signs from software measurement data analysis and use results for effective decision making.
  • Formulate pertinent software measurements and reporting for senior management.
  • Explain the relationship between software development lifecycle phases and the project development lifecycle.
  • Identify the requirements for and the best practices of each phase in the software development lifecycle.
  • Describe methods to build good software products.
  • Describe the importance of software engineering support activities such as software configuration management, software assurance, software independent Verification and Validation, software cost estimations, software risks, and software acquisition.
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Schedule & Registration

Click the Dates Below to Register Inside SATERN.

These are in-person course offerings.
ARC Aug 21-22, 2025
LENGTH:
Registration Overview

If you're interested in this course or interested in being notified about future dates for this course, please click below to let us know

I'm interested!

If you're interested in In-Person courses,
please contact your Center POC

Center POCs

Registration Question? Contact the training specialist below for assistance.

Susan Largent
susan.largent@nasa.gov
(321) 861-1572

EXTERNAL CERTIFICATION CREDIT

About the Instructor(s)

Laura Maynard-Nelson

Laura Maynard-Nelson is one of the Deputy Technical Fellows for Software at NASA. She has over 30 years of experience working in software engineering with 18 of those including software process improvement. Ms. Maynard-Nelson has extensive experience working with both flight and ground software applications for space experiments and technology demonstrations, covering the full range of the software engineering lifecycle. Her approach to software engineering uses real life examples and experiences for given topics to allow participants to see the relevance to their given applications and situations.

Scott Tashakkor

Scott Tashakkor is currently serving as a Deputy to the NESC Software Technical Fellow. For his career, he has written, tested, and developed flight and ground software in both a professional and academic environment. He has worked with many disciplines and organizations and understands how software relates to each of them. His approach to software is to understand the needs of the project and speak in their language to relay the concepts to ensure that they get the best results.

CURRICULUM LEAD

Curriculum Question? Contact the curriculum lead below for assistance.

Parker Woods
parker.woods@nasa.gov

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