Dácil Castelo, CEO of LedaMC, reflects on the return of the ISMA 22 conference to Madrid, which discussed the evolution of the value of IT for the business, the impact of artificial intelligence on Quanter and how precise measurement can transform the software industry.
What has the return of the ISMA conference to Madrid after a decade meant for LedaMC?
The return of ISMA to Madrid has been very special for us and even more so if we take into account that it was its first in-person edition since the pandemic. Resuming this type of meetings is a clear sign that the sector continues to advance. As a Spanish company and active member of the software measurement community, it has been a true honor to sponsor and be part of this event. ISMA is a key forum to exchange knowledge, debate best practices and continue developing solutions that truly add value to companies.
Furthermore, the international response to the conference has been very good, with attendees from countries as distant as Malaysia, Brazil, Costa Rica, Canada, the United States, Italy, Luxembourg, France, Germany and Spain, among others. It is a clear example of the commitment that exists with software measurement at a global level and highlights the scope of the event in the international sphere.
The main theme of ISMA 22 was “IT Value to the Business”. From your experience, how do you perceive the evolution of the value of IT areas in companies in recent years?
I think we have experienced a huge evolution in how the value of IT is perceived within companies. A few years ago, IT was seen more as a support area, focused mainly on daily operations. In many companies they were even located in remote areas of the building and it was unthinkable for the head of technology to sit with other company managers. Today, IT sits at the decision table and is at the center of business strategy. Companies that understand how to effectively leverage IT, its data and its tools are leading innovation, improving operational efficiency and making more informed decisions.
The ISMA 22 theme, ‘IT Value to the Business’, reflects this change. Now, technology not only facilitates processes, but also drives growth and competitiveness. And that is what we at LedaMC help do through tools like Quanter and methodologies like Function Points.
During the conference you presented the incorporation of generative AI in Quanter. How do you think this innovation is transforming project estimation processes in the software industry?
Quanter was already a key tool for increasing speed and efficiency in estimation processes before incorporating generative artificial intelligence. Since its launch, our clients have seen how automation in project estimation significantly reduced the time and effort dedicated to this task.
With the integration of generative AI, we have taken it a step further. Now with Quanter AI they can directly convert natural language requirements into concrete estimates of effort and cost. This innovation allows teams, regardless of their level of experience, to obtain quality results quickly and in any language, something that previously required more manual intervention.
The use of AI in Quanter is transforming the way estimations are approached in the software industry and we continue to work to make it a benchmark in this field.
Christine Green spoke about standardization in large-scale IT contracts in the EU. How does this standardization impact companies like LedaMC? Will it be implemented in Spain in contracts with the administration?
This standardization in large-scale IT contracts has a very positive impact on companies like LedaMC. For us, working with standard metrics such as Function Points allows us to offer an objective framework in estimating and monitoring projects. This benefits both supplier companies and public administrations, since we all work under the same rules, which facilitates communication and reduces the risk of conflicts in contracts.
Regarding its implementation in Spain, I would like to think that it is a matter of time. We are already seeing progress in the adoption of these standards in some sectors, and I believe the trend will continue to grow, especially in government contracts. The EU is leading the way, and Spanish public administrations should not take long to follow if they want to improve efficiency, reduce costs and provide greater transparency, something fundamental in public management.
What key lessons do you think ISMA 22 attendees should take away with them about the value of software sizing and its role in technological innovation?
One of the main lessons is that software sizing is not just a technical tool, but a key strategic factor. Measuring correctly allows you to better understand effort, costs and productivity and, by understanding it, improves decision making. This translates into more efficient and higher quality projects.
In addition, software sizing provides transparency and trust between customers and suppliers. Companies need to be profitable and having clear metrics allows them to identify areas for improvement, optimize resources and adapt solutions to business needs. If we want technology to continue driving change, we need solid metrics to guide us on that path.
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