Help Page


Table of Contents

  1. What are the adaptation criteria?
  2. What is the Entry point Multiplier?
  3. Now I have a task set selector, what does it mean ?
  4. How do I work this calculator?
  5. OOPS! What does this error mean?
  6. Return to Task Set Selector
  7. Return to Intro page

Adaptation Criteria

Adaptation Criteria are used as factors to determine the degree of rigor which should be applied to your project. There are eleven criteria:

Each is graded on a scale from zero (minimal) to four (substantial)

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Entry Point Multiplier ?

Okay, this one's a little tricky. First, you want to review what type of project you have and compare it to the choices below.

Once you've established the type of project you have, select the option on the pull down list. The set of multipliers will appear in the column below. These are the multipliers needed to assess the project correctly.

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Now I have a Task set selector (TSS), what does it mean?

Okay, You have a value. Now, you need a table to know what it means. 

Here it is:

TSS<1.2            Casual

1.0 < TSS <3.0  Structured

TSS > 2.4           Strict

Notice how there's some overlap in the ranges. This illustrates the fact that there exist no distinct boundaries between the three degrees of rigor. If you receive a value that falls within the overlap, you'll have to make a judgment call concerning the degree of rigor your project deserves. 

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How Do I work this program?

 To use this calculator, do the following:


1. Select your Entry Point Multiplier from the pull down list at the top of the screen. 

2. Select a grade for each of your Adaptation criteria from the pull-down list.
3. Click on the submit button at bottom of the page for your results.
4. Compare your TSS values against the range of values to decide the degree of
    rigor for your project.
 
5. You can reset the form using the reset button at the bottom page and renter
    values as needed.

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To err is human, to hear the error message is irritating.

Well, it was bound to happen. We had to put in error messages. Here's what they mean:

1. You cannot change this value! : This mean that the user attempted to put a value in a place where it wasn't supposed to be entered. This isn't a problem with the pull down list since you're only able to enter the values given, but the EPM values are selected by the pull down list at the top. If you were to change one of these values, the product and TSS values would be affected and produce misleading results.

2. Cannot find page. (standard internet warning): Either that page has not been installed on the site, or the link to that site has been mislabeled. Please alert the network administrator to this problem. There also exist a possibility that your network is down and the program will be restore when service is restored.

3. Please install Netscape 3.0 or Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0 or better for best results: Well, technically this isn't an error. All this means is that your browser doesn't support the version of Java Script we used to make this wonderful program functional. You may have to upgrade your web browser for the program to work properly. This is a fairly painless process since you can find upgrades for Microsoft Internet Explorer and Netscape Navigator on the web for the wonderful price of FREE!! If upgrading web browsers isn't in your job description, let your network administrator know about the problem.

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Author information goes here.
Copyright © 1999  [Boyd, Granz,  and Walls]. All rights reserved.
Revised: December 02, 2000 .