Applying extreme engineering and personality factors to improve software development under a heavyweight methodology

Abstract

Companies of the defense sector use heavyweight methodologies such as the V-model to develop large systems in which reliability is a crucial factor. This model has well-known disadvantages but the necessity to maintain all the phases under control and its mandatory use by the public institutions prevent the companies from altering the methodology. This paper describes a process improvement proposal for the V-model based on the concepts of Extreme-Engineering, team creation and task allocation strategies that take into account the personality of workers and its impact on productivity and quality. The study has been performed in a real company of the defense sector. The proposal has been tested and validated using a multiparadigm simulation model that makes use of the company historical data.