Process Improvements

Question 1

Main driver for Software Process Improvements.

Answer 1

A belief that the quality of the product is determined by the quality of the process. Improving the process results in improvements of the product.

Question 2

Examples of Improvement models.

Answer 2

1. CMM (Capability Maturity Model)
2. CMMI (CMM Integrated)
3. P-CMM
4. ISO 9001
5. SPICE

Question 3

How do Improvement Models work?

Answer 3

1. Organizations are assessed against a set of criteria defined by a model.
2. It’s important to customers.
3. It’s important to the organization itself to set a target for improvement.

Question 4

What levels are defined by CMMI?

Answer 4

1. Not Performed.
2. Performed.
3. Managed.
4. Defined.
5. Quantitatively managed.
6. Optimizing.

Question 5

Have the improvement models had any effect?

Answer 5

1. In most cases success is possible in large companies.
2. Model designers such as SEI (Software Engineering Institute) and ISO are trying to make it work independently on the company size.
3. ISO are popular in Europe, CMM in US and Far East.
4. Most organizations either abandon the frameworks or stop at “Managed” level