QSM provides unparalleled support throughout the product acquisition, installation, and implementation process.
For nearly five decades, QSM has helped organizations bring data-driven discipline to software project estimation, tracking, and benchmarking. Our methodology and tools turn project complexity into measurable, defensible outcomes.
Each SLIM-Suite application workbook contains information unique to the application, like software project estimate assumptions and solutions in SLIM-Estimate, along with common, shareable workbook components, including charts and reports, view layouts, reference trend groups, and skill breakout configurations.
When you create a new workbook, a runtime file (see the SLIM-Suite Workbook Formats table below) is opened and read. Think of these files as the default template for getting started. It contains the workbook structure, settings, and charts and reports needed to perform basic tasks. Application “.run” files cannot be altered and saved from within applications, but you can modify a new workbook and use it as a template for future estimates.
As you begin to work with each tool and configure settings for your software projects, you will want to create templates that are calibrated to your environment and lifecycle. Template workbooks do not contain special formatting, so you can use any existing SLIM-Suite workbook as a template.
SLIM-Suite files are easily managed just like other Microsoft Windows applications. They can be stored on your personal computer, network drive, or shared file space. Note: You can use applications such as OneDrive and SharePoint to sync files between your computer and the cloud so you can access your files from anywhere. However, version history and file restoration features apply only to Microsoft 365 application files. We recommend implementing workbook version control procedures when working with SLIM files in a shared environment.
SLIM-MasterPlan, QSM’s software program and portfolio estimation application, helps you manage large initiatives with the ability to roll up smaller project and task plans and actual measurements into a logical and coherent big picture. When you import SLIM-Estimate and SLIM-Control workbooks into SLIM-MasterPlan, copies are made to preserve your original files and support “what-if” analysis. It is a good idea to create a Working Folder to store your program files in one location.