Defining the Software Process

Defining the Software Process

1. Why Define Processes

   • To help you to plan and track your work
   • To guide you in performing tasks
   • To evaluate and improve the way you work

2. Software Process Basics

   • PROCESS ELEMENTS
     • Scripts
     • Forms
     • Standards
     • Process Improvement Provisions
   • PROCESS FORMATS
     • Understandable process
     • Usable process
     • Information Mapping

3. Process Definition

   • Determine you needs and priorities
   • Define the process objectives, goals and quality criteria
   • Characterize your current process
   • Characterize your target process
   • Establish a process development strategy
   • Define your initial process
   • Validate your initial process
   • Enhace your process

4. Defining Process Phases

   • Includes the following items:
     • Purpose
     • Responsible agent
     • Entry criteria
     • Tasks
     • Exit criteria
     • Next phase

5. Process Development Considerations

   • Design the process at just the level you need to guide your work.
   • Start with a simple process and gradually enhance it.
   • Produce a simple initial process, then elaborate, revise, and enhance it as you gain experience.
   • Record all your improvements ideas in PIPs
   • Use PIPs to guide your next process update.

6. Process Evolution

   • Perceived Process
     • What you think you do
   • Actual Process
     • What you do
   • Official Process
     • What the book says you are supossed to do
   • Target Process
     • Your objective. The ideal you would like to reach.

7. The Process Development Process

   • A defined one, helps you both planning and doing the work.
   • Key Feature: PIPs
   • Start simple.
   • Include planning step
   • Record development
   • Define productivity measures
   • Produce summary reports.