Comparison of Reliability and Testing Models

We were curious about how well various reliability and testing models would compare with respect to prediction accuracy and testing effectiveness. Therefore, we conducted several experiments to evaluate these properties for the following models: fault tree analysis, geometric and binomial statistical models; and reliability growth models: Yamada S Shape Model, Schneidewind Single Parameter Model, and Schneidewind Software Reliability Model. We developed modified versions of the geometric and binomial models that comprise a new contribution to the body of software reliability research. The Yamada model provided the best prediction accuracy for one of the Shuttle's failure data sets. Future research would involve evaluating all models against multiple data sets.