Key processes to start software process improvement in small companies

ABSTRACT

To support Small Software Enterprises -- VSEs-- when they are dealing with the first processes that must be considered as they undertake a project of Software Process Improvement --SPI--, we have defined a set of processes which we consider to be of high-priority when initiating the implementation of an improvement project in VSEs. This paper introduces this set of processes and the way in which they have been obtained, based on the analysis and synthesis of three research works carried out within the context of the COMPETISOFT project. It also describes our experience of the application of both the process selection and the prioritization strategy in four VSEs. The result of implementing the proposal shows that it is feasible to implement it in VSEs and that it can be done with an expense of effort that is suitable for them.

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INDEX TERMS

Primary Classification:
  D. Software
  D.2 SOFTWARE ENGINEERING
      D.2.9 Management

Additional Classification:
  K. Computing Milieux
  K.6 MANAGEMENT OF COMPUTING AND INFORMATION SYSTEMS
      K.6.3 Software Management

General Terms:
Management, Performance

Keywords:
SMEs, SPI, VSEs, process software, process software improvement, processes prioritization, small software organizations