European and American software process maturity models and assessments

Abstract

This half-day tutorial focuses on the relation between Software Process Improvement (SPI) programs and process assessments. There are currently four major software process improvement models on the international scene: ISO 9001 and 9000-3, Bootstrap, the SEI Capability Maturity Model (CMM) and Software Process Improvement and Capability Determination (SPICE). All these models acknowledge similar state-of-the-practice principles of good software quality development process, but each involves a different take on assessing organizational process maturity. The seminar is intended to provide the necessary background to make an informed choice between (or, combining more than one, among) these assessments/models, depending on the circumstances of individual organizations. It is intended to be especially useful for businesses engaged in international work, which may need to tailor a combined program of software improvement techniques from a new of models originally designed specifically for US or for European conditions.