An Approach to Evaluating Software Process Adaptation

Abstract

Abstract. Process maturity reference frameworks such as ISO/IEC 15504 and the Capability Maturity Model Integrated (CMMI) seek to assist software process improvement (SPI) efforts by prescribing a roadmap for improving the capability of the development process. However, such frameworks are not widely adopted in the practice [1], [2], especially in smaller software development organisations where the development process is often modified based on business events [3]. Such modification of the development process represents an attempt to harmonise the process with the changing needs of the business, which is a dynamic capability. Dynamic capabilities refer to the ability of businesses to adapt to changing circumstances and according to the evolutionary theory of the firm [4], organisations that possess greater dynamic capability are more successful. This paper introduces dynamic SPI capabilitythe ability to adapt the software process relative to changing situational circumstances -as a method for evaluating software process adaptation.

A Hierarchy of SPI Activities for Software SMEs: Results from ISO/IEC 12207-Based SPI Assessments

“…Given the extensive wealth of knowledge, wisdom and experience incorporated into existing process maturity and quality management standards, it is very disappointing that they are not more widely adopted in software SMEs. In an earlier published work, the authors of this paper highlighted the importance of further integration of the dynamic capability concept into process maturity and quality management standards [24]. Dynamic capability relates to the ability to adapt a process in response to changes in the environment and is considered to be representative of an evolutionary mechanism, as espoused in the evolutionary theory of the firm [25].…”

Plasticity of a Guidance System for Software Process Modeling

“…However, despite the necessity imposed by technological evolution, the provided efforts to develop such environments remain an insufficient contribution. This generation of guidance environment still interests researchers in defining new concepts and objectives of the software process modeling [4,14,15]. Our work proposes an approach to define adaptive guidance modeling in software process.…”

“…The essential characteristic of our approach is to consider the plasticity principle in the development context, defined by the description of its three models [15,17].…”

Abordagens do PMBOK e CMMI sobre o Sucesso dos Projetos de Softwares

“…Estruturas burocráticas tradicionais foram substituídas principalmente nas duas últimas décadas pela Gestão de Projetos, com o intuito de melhor gerenciar os recursos (Farias Filho & Almeida, 2010) e a área de desenvolvimento de software tem acompanhado esta mudança (Clarke & O'Connor, 2011). Novas gerações de normas, modelos e métodos foram criadas para auxiliar o alcance de padrões de excelência no desenvolvimento de softwares, substituindo o improviso pela gestão profissional (Oliveira et al, 2010).…”

“…Se o desenvolvimento das organizações depende da realização bem-sucedida de seus projetos, é razoável supor que projetos devam ser gerenciados de forma adequada, sistematizada e organizada, e é isso que se propõe na metodologia de gestão de projetos. Na opinião de (Clarke & O'Connor, 2011), a qualidade do desenvolvimento do software afeta diretamente a qualidade do produto final, visto que a empresa, o ambiente competitivo e a tecnologia mudam continuamente. Como afirmam Oliveira, Valle & Mahler (2010), o desempenho de um software tem estreita relação com o seu processo desenvolvimento.…”