Origins of the SPIN

A Software Process Improvement Network (SPIN) is an organization of software professionals involved in software process improvement within a geographic region. SPINs are all over the world, each started by its community, then linked together through mutual contact and the SEI (Carnegie-Mellon University's Software Engineering Institute).

A SPIN provides a practical forum for the interchange of ideas, information, and mutual support. Each SPIN is slightly different, based on the vision of the founders and the needs of the community. Most operate on volunteered time and resources, and don't charge membership fees.

History of the Ottawa SPIN

The Ottawa SPIN's inaugural event, on June 13, 1996, attracted an audience of 125 people. A regular program was established and SPIN events continue to be well attended, each averaging 100 people from over 50 different companies. The Ottawa SPIN hosts approximately six main events each season, and open to anyone, they are oriented towards those developing, managing or procuring software-based products or systems, especially software professionals engaged in software process improvement. The Ottawa SPIN trialled both a Tutorial Event and an Executive Event during the 1997-98 season, augmenting the Main Event program. We are likely to see future events based on the success of these events.

Although there is no membership fee, there is a modest event fee used to cover a portion of costs incurred to stage an event. Corporate sponsorship plays a key role in the success of the Ottawa SPIN, providing visibility, funding to bring in speakers from outside of Ottawa and to de-fray operating costs. OCRI has partnered with the Ottawa SPIN since it's inception and we are proud of the success of this relationship. We welcome event ideas, ideas for speakers or volunteers, those interested in contributing to the SPIN's organizing committees, as well as companies or organizations interested in sponsoring the SPIN or a SPIN event. Please contact us.

History of the Ottawa SPIN Organization

The Ottawa SPIN started in 1996 with an Executive Committee of five members. The role of Executive Committee Chair was established during the 1997-98 season, replacing the rotating meeting-by-meeting role of organizing committee meetings, and focussing responsibilities on the ongoing health and future of the organization.

During its first season, Programs, Sponsorship and Logistics Committees were initiated. The Programs Committee consists of at least one Executive member and approximately 3-4 non-Executive members. It is charged with defining a slate of programs for SPIN Events, locating speakers and running the events.

The essential events portion of the Logistics Committee, originally staffed by one Executive member, merged with the Programs Committee during the 1998-99 season. This role is responsible for arranging venue, including equipment needs, refreshments, etc. via our partner, OCRI. The Sponsorship Committee (currently consisting of one Executive member and one other) is responsible for attracting Corporate Sponsorship, both as a source of funding and to assure the SPIN has the backing of Ottawa-area software organizations.

During the 1998-99 season, a Communications Committee was established, to address all communications needs of the SPIN. They include responsibility for event announcements and publications, surveys, year-end reports, advertising and the web. The committee concentrated its initial effort at establishing an agreement for the timely maintenance of the SPIN web site, and re-designing the initial effort to best serve the SPIN community that developed during the first 2 years of operation. The Committee also began a regular "trip report" style of summarizing the event for those who could not attend an event, posting it on the SPIN website. This committee consisted of one Executive member and one one-Executive member during the 1998-99 season.