The KITE Model for Assessment of Academic Software Products

We reflect on the topic of assessing the merit of soft-ware products developed by research groups within the academia. For this aim, a model is proposed consisting of four determinants defining the scoring of an arbitrary software product: new knowledge dissemination effect (K), impact in target population (I), technological in-novation (T), and engineering achievement (E). These determinants are integrated into a “KITE” graphical model. The model admits both a geometric or numeric interpretation, enabling decision makers to analyze pro-files of software productivity of an academic unit, from a quantitative or qualitative viewpoint. The ratings en-abling the software to be scored in each determinant are also described. Preliminary test lists are sketched as a proposal of measurement instruments for these scores, according to the model.