Improving the Express Process Appraisal Method

Abstract

Abstract. In this paper we firstly describe the appraisal method that was developed by the Centre for Software Process Technologies (CSPT) to assess software processes within small to medium sized (SMEs) organisations that have little or no experience of software process improvement programmes. We then discuss our experience of developing and using our appraisal method within six SMEs organisations within Northern Ireland. Next we compare our assessment method with existing lightweight assessment methods that have also been used to assess software processes within SMEs software development organisations. We then describe new features that we are currently introducing to improve our software process appraisal method.

Adept: A Unified Assessment Method for Small Software Companies

“…9 In addition, recent research indicates that indigenous Irish software companies still avoid formal process assessment because of the high cost and resources involved. 10 …”

“…Researchers have used EPA to assess six process areas in six software development organizations. 9 All the companies agreed, prior to beginning the assessments, that the following six process areas were applicable: ■ Project Monitoring and Control, ■ Project Planning, ■ Requirements Management, ■ Configuration Management, ■ Process and Product Quality Assurance, and ■ Measurement and Analysis.…”

“…9,15 We chose six of the seven process areas associated with CMMI Maturity Level 2 (REQM, CM, PP, PMC, M&A, and PPQA) because they constitute the engineering management basis of an organization and the foundation upon which an efficient soft- ware company is based. We omitted the seventh area, Supplier Agreement Management, because previous research indicated it wouldn't benefit small Irish software companies as much as the other areas.…”

“…We omitted the seventh area, Supplier Agreement Management, because previous research indicated it wouldn't benefit small Irish software companies as much as the other areas. 9 Furthermore, omitting one process area ensures that companies can't claim Level 2 compliance even if no issues or weaknesses are discovered in the process areas appraised. After investigating the CMMI Level 3 process areas, we considered six of the 14 applicable: Risk Management, Technical Solution, Verification, Validation, Requirements Development, and Product Integration.…”

“…We also chose these mandatory process areas on the basis of three factors' overlap: those considered to be the foundation process areas of the CMMI model, those chosen in CSPT research to be most applicable to small companies, 15 and those supported by other previous research. 9,10 To reduce the cost and time associated with the assessment, we restrict on-site interviewing to one day. We also limit Adept to six process areas because this is the maximum that can be covered reasonably in one day.…”