Meeting Report: Ottawa Software Process Improvement Network (SPIN)

Report on meeting of November 18, 1999
Topic: Software Process Improvement Audit and Assessment Methodologies
Presenter: Michael Raftus, Partner and Managing Director, GrafP Technologies Inc.

Marvin's Summary:

There are several methodologies for assessing your software process and starting your process improvement journey with each method having its merits. Michael cautions to start small and to use sequential Assessment followed by Action Planning and then Implementation Phases to lock in improvements. Michael reported that only 32% of the organizations that do Assessments follow through on improvements. Selecting the most applicable methodology may increase your chance of success. There is no easy way to choose the model you want to use. It depends on from where you're starting, as well as internal or external forces.

Methodologies analyzed:

ISO 9001:1994 (ISO 9000-3)

  • 20 elements/areas, 150 shall statements, usually audit CMM Based (CBA IPI, SCE)
  • Staged approach, Goals, 18 Key process Areas, 5 maturity levels
    • internal process improvement (CBA IPI)
    • Software Capability Evaluation (SCE, aka audit)

SPICE

  • a methodology to assess other methodologies
    • contains a reference model to map against other models
    • 6 maturity levels

Bootstrap

  • questionnaire based assessment, 20 process domains

Trillium

  • 5 maturity levels, 508 practices, roadmaps, Telecommunications perspective

S:Prime

  • combines risk management with process engineering
  • based on SEI CMM and SEI Risk management

TickIT

  • ISO 9001 for Software, accredited auditors and assessments

Criteria presented for each method:

Structure

  • Activities and deliverables
  • Costs
  • Schedule
  • Pros and Cons
  • Lead Assessor/Auditor qualification

For further information:

GRafP Technologies Inc.
4 Robert Speck Parkway, Suite 600
Mississauga, Ontario L4Z 1S1
Telephone: (416) 823-5996
Fax: (905) 502-9777
Email: sprimer@grafp.com
web site www.grafp.com

ISO 9001:1994 (ISO 9000-3)
http://www.iso.ch

CMM Based (CBA IPI, SCE)

http://www.sei.cmu.edu

SPICE

http://www.spiceworld.hm

Bootstrap

http://www.etnoteam.it/bootstrap/institut.html

Trillium http://rbse.jsc.nasa.gov/process_maturity/trillium/

S:Prime http://www.grafp.com

Report submitted by:
Marvin Doran,
Communications Committee,
Ottawa SPIN,
Quality Specialist,
Nortel Networks
Email: doran@nortelnetworks.com
Tel: (613) 763-4704 [ESN 393-4704]
Fax: (613) 763-8508 [ESN 393-8508]