A case study on quality-affecting problems in software engineering projects

In this paper, we present the results of case studies conducted in three software companies in order to identify the improvement targets in their test processes. The test processes were modeled using the LAPPI (A Light-weight Technique to Practical Process Modeling and Improvement Target Identification) technique. Identifying improvement targets quickly and in a cost-effective way is important to maximize the value of SPI (Software Process Improvement) initiatives. The most significant problems identified in this study were the low level of unit testing, unknown repercussions of code changes, and missing exit criteria for testing. These findings support the results of earlier studies. Further, a less reported problem was identified. It appears that software companies find it difficult to integrate test automation with their manual test processes. Making the recurring test related problems known among the software industry helps to justify the need for test process improvement and standardization of test processes.

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“…These problems were identified in all three case organizations and are similar to those presented in previous studies [9,[12][13][14][15][16].…”

Section: Introductionsupporting

confidence: 87%

Identifying Process Improvement Targets in Test Processes: A Case Study

Toroi

Raninen

Väätäinen

2013

2013 IEEE International Conference on Software Maintenance

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“…However, our data collected from several projects indicate that even in critical domains, pressure caused by different business and organizational sources makes it challenging for developers to follow plandriven processes. In order to deal with such challenges, development teams might decide to ignore or postpone certain software development activities [4,16]. As a result of this minimization, technical debt might occur in such critical projects.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Related Workmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In such situations often quality practices are neglected to deal with the urgent demands imposed by the business environment [13,16]. For example, according to [16], planned tests are often neglected or postponed due to insufficient amount of time. A group of studies use the metaphor of technical debt [19] to explain such quality compromising trade-offs [15,17,21,22].…”

Section: Related Workmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, it is widely reported in previous studies that these software development methods are rarely followed in their entirety but are customized [10][11][12]. A group of scholars explain this customization mainly in terms of quality compromising trade-offs for minimizing development costs and delivery times [13][14][15][16] . In such situations, developers are often forced or motivated to cut back on software development processes or to postpone certain activities [17,18].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Seeking Technical Debt in Critical Software Development Projects: An Exploratory Field Study

Ghanbari

2016

2016 49th Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences (HICSS)

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Applying software process modeling to improve customer support processes

Raninen

Merikoski

Ahonen

et al. 2015

J Software Evolu Process

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The quality of an organization's support services can be key to maintaining and extending its customer base and to its future survival. As such, support services need to be considered in software process improvement initiatives and not left as an afterthought or stand-alone effort. However, to identify areas in need of improvement requires a good understanding of the current process. To meet this need, we have developed a process modeling technique called LAPPI that documents current 'as-is' processes.This study explores whether the LAPPI can identify opportunities for improvement in the customer service process. LAPPI is applied, step by step, in a small-to-medium-sized enterprise. Results are validated through an analysis of customer satisfaction questionnaires administered before and after our LAPPI intervention. Applying the LAPPI highlighted several problems with the customer support service, which was subsequently streamlined. The validation shows an improvement in customer satisfaction in several areas, with significant improvement in customer response times and in customer query resolution.Software development organizations can use LAPPI to highlight where improvements are needed in support services. This study shows that making best use of support resources and ensuring customers receive prompt and clear help throughout the product's lifetime can improve an organization's image and future prosperity.

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A case study on quality-affecting problems in software engineering projects

Cited by 11 publications

References 6 publications

Identifying Process Improvement Targets in Test Processes: A Case Study

Identifying Process Improvement Targets in Test Processes: A Case Study

Seeking Technical Debt in Critical Software Development Projects: An Exploratory Field Study

Applying software process modeling to improve customer support processes

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