Software SMEs’ unofficial readiness for CMMI®-based software process improvement

Abstract

The goal of software process improvement (SPI) is to improve software processes and produce high-quality software, but the results of SPI efforts in small-and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that develop software have been unsatisfactory. The objective of this study is to support the prolific and successful CMMI-based implementation of SPI in SMEs by presenting the facts related to the unofficial adoption of CMMI level 2 process area-specific practices by software SMEs. Two questionnaire surveys were performed, and 42 questionnaires were selected for data analysis. The questionnaires were filled out by experts from 42 non-CMMI-certified software SMEs based in Malaysia and Pakistan. In the case of each process area of CMMI level 2, the respondents were asked to choose from three categories, namely 'below 50 %,' '50-75 %,' and 'above 75 %'. The percentages indicated the extent to which process area-specific practices are routinely followed in the respondents' respective organizations. To deal with differing standards for defining SMEs, the notion of the common range standard has been introduced. The results of the study show that a large segment of software development SMEs informally follows the specific practices of CMMI level 2 process areas and thus has true potential for rapid and effective CMMI-based SPI. The results further indicate that, in the case of four process areas of CMMI level 2, there are statistically significant differences between the readiness of small and medium software enterprises to adopt the specific practices of those process areas, and between trends on their part to do so unofficially. The findings, manifesting various degrees of unofficial readiness for CMMI-based SPI among SMEs, can be used to define criteria for the selection of SMEs that would be included in SPI initiatives funded by relevant authorities. In the interests of developing fruitful CMMI-based SPI and to enhance the success rate of CMMI-based SPI initiatives, the study suggests that 'ready' or 'potential' SMEs should be given priority for SPI initiatives.

Measuring the maturity of Indian small and medium enterprises for unofficial readiness for capability maturity model integration‐based software process improvement

“…The authors evaluated the unofficial readiness of such SMEs towards CMMI basing the study on the percentage of adoption of CMMI practices. This paper replicated the study carried out by Iqbal et al 15 We followed the methodology adopted by Iqbal et al 15 with a little variation in selecting ratings for percentages of follow-up of CMMI practices, for evaluating unofficial readiness of Indian SMEs towards CMMI. Indian SMES are performing well and are also contributing to gross domestic product (GDP).…”

“…This paper is motivated by a study carried out by Iqbal et al 15 who proposed to explore the unofficial readiness of software organizations towards CMMI. There are number of SMEs that are delivering great products developed using qualified processes.…”

“…After identifying the critical success factors for SPI programs in SMEs in our previous research work, 13 the present research focuses on the evaluation of unofficial readiness of non-CMMI SMEs. The present research work is motivated by 15 and has taken their work as base. It concentrates on the unofficial readiness for CMMI-based SPI among SMEs, which can be used to define criteria for the selection of SMEs that would be included in SPI initiatives funded by relevant authorities.…”

“…Wilkie et al 56 studied and categorized PA-SPs set of CMMI Level II having high (greater than 70%), medium (between 70% and 40%), and low (lesser than 40%). In a similar study, Iqbal et al 15 have used corresponding percentages with a little difference (75% as a replacement for 70% and 50% as a replacement for 40%) to reflect the number of SPs in CMMI Level N (I-V) process areas. In the present study, instead of three divisions on the percentage of PA-SPs adopted and practiced by SMEs completing more than 5 years and SMEs not completing 5 years, we have divided it into four parts: low (<50%), medium (50%-70%), high (71%-90%), and very high (>90%).…”

Approaches to Software Process Improvement: A State-of-the-Art Review

“…Garcí a-Mireles et al [6] stated that when software development companies implement SPI, they try to improve software quality. SPI is seen as a vital aspect of the optimization of the software development process, particularly for small-and medium-sized organizations [7]- [10]. Niazi et al [11] stated that one of the software industry's biggest challenges is the design of SPI implementation initiatives that will effectively help small-and medium-sized organizations.…”