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ROI Case Studies

QSM software intelligence turns tough challenges into measurable business value

U.S. Federal Agency Saves $30M by Terminating Runaway Project Using SLIM® Analytics

Outcomes at a Glance

  • $30M saved by terminating a failing high‑visibility project
  • Additional $25M+ in savings from institutionalizing quantitative acquisition practices
  • 50% staffing reduction validated (100 → 52 FTEs) with minimal schedule impact
  • Portfolio benchmarking revealed major cost efficiency opportunities
  • Long‑term adoption of SLIM® tools since 2010

Context

A large U.S. federal government agency—nearly 50,000 employees with substantial IT investment—lacked the data, tools, and confidence to challenge contractor‑submitted cost and schedule estimates. Many software projects ran late or over budget, and leaders had limited insight into appropriate staffing levels for ongoing enhancements and sustainment work. Troubled projects often went undetected until it was too late to intervene.

Barriers

  • No parametric estimation tools or benchmarking data to validate vendor proposals
  • Limited ability to identify off‑track projects early
  • No standard method for evaluating staffing, cost, or schedule feasibility
  • Reliance on contractor‑supplied estimates with no quantitative counterpoint
  • No historical data repository to support fact‑based decision‑making

What QSM Delivered

QSM implemented a full Software Metrics Program for the agency’s systems and technology group, anchored by Function Point Analysis and the SLIM® suite.

Key actions included:

  • Capturing and analyzing historical project data to establish baselines
  • Providing acquisition support (pre‑ and post‑RFP) with independent cost and schedule estimates
  • Tracking and controlling ongoing projects using SLIM‑Control®
  • Performing specialized parametric analyses on project team size, budgeting, vendor productivity, release strategy, and portfolio optimization
  • Creating a repeatable, quantitative process for evaluating bids and overseeing contractors

Using SLIM‑Control evidence, QSM demonstrated that a major project was drifting further off course, enabling the agency to terminate the contract and save $30M. Subsequent benchmarking showed that halving staff would only minimally affect the schedule, reducing annual cost from $27M to $15M. The agency later institutionalized these quantitative methods for all software acquisitions, achieving $25M+ in additional savings.