Making Process Improvement Work
A Concise Action Guide for Software Managers and Practitioners
Published on 24. April 2002
Book
Paperback/Softback
192 pages
978-0-201-77577-8 (ISBN)
Description
Every development organization can benefit by paying attention to process improvement, yet all too many "process improvement initiatives" fail to deliver on their promises. In this concise book, two of the field's leading consultants present easy-to-apply techniques for achieving rapid and quantifiable benefits -- and then maintaining your momentum to deliver even greater value over time. Drawing on their experience with more than 3,000 developers and 100 organizations, Neil S. Potter and Mary E. Sakry show you exactly what works -- and what doesn't work. Next, they present a step-by-step guide to identifying your best opportunities for process improvement, deploying changes effectively, and tracking your progress. The book also includes a detailed example plan document designed to help you jumpstart your process improvement initiative. Making Process Improvement Work includes a foreword by noted software process expert Karl Wiegers. For all developers, project and IT managers, and clients seeking to maximize the effectiveness of the software development process and the value of the software it delivers.
More details
Persons
Neil Potter is a co-founder of The Process Group, a company that consults in software engineering process improvement. He has been working in software development, software engineering, and process and project management since 1985. He is an SEI-authorized Lead Assessor.
Mary Sakry is a co-founder of The Process Group, a company that consults in software engineering process improvement. She has been working in software development, software engineering, and process and project management since 1976. She is an SEI-authorized Lead Assessor.
0201775778AB02262002
Mary Sakry is a co-founder of The Process Group, a company that consults in software engineering process improvement. She has been working in software development, software engineering, and process and project management since 1976. She is an SEI-authorized Lead Assessor.
0201775778AB02262002
Content
Foreword vii
Preface ix
Acknowledgments xv
Chapter 1: Developing a Plan 1
Scope the Improvement 4
Develop an Action Plan 23
Determine Risks and Plan to Mitigate 38
Summary 49
Chapter 2: Implementing the Plan 51
Sell Solutions Based on Needs 52
Work with the Willing and Needy First 57
Keep Focused on the Goals and Problems 71
Align the Behaviors of Managers and Practitioners 73
Summary 75
Chapter 3: Checking Progress 77
Are We Making Progress on the Goals? 78
Are We Making Progress on Our Improvement Plan? 87
Are We Making Progress on the Improvement Framework? 88
What Lessons Have We Learned So Far? 101
Summary 113
Conclusion 115
Appendix A: Mapping Goals and Problems to CMM 117
Appendix B: Mapping Goals and Problems to CMM and CMMI 125
Appendix C: Action Plan Example 133
Appendix D: Risk Management Example 139
Appendix E: Mini-Assessment Process 145
References 157
Index 161
Preface ix
Acknowledgments xv
Chapter 1: Developing a Plan 1
Scope the Improvement 4
Develop an Action Plan 23
Determine Risks and Plan to Mitigate 38
Summary 49
Chapter 2: Implementing the Plan 51
Sell Solutions Based on Needs 52
Work with the Willing and Needy First 57
Keep Focused on the Goals and Problems 71
Align the Behaviors of Managers and Practitioners 73
Summary 75
Chapter 3: Checking Progress 77
Are We Making Progress on the Goals? 78
Are We Making Progress on Our Improvement Plan? 87
Are We Making Progress on the Improvement Framework? 88
What Lessons Have We Learned So Far? 101
Summary 113
Conclusion 115
Appendix A: Mapping Goals and Problems to CMM 117
Appendix B: Mapping Goals and Problems to CMM and CMMI 125
Appendix C: Action Plan Example 133
Appendix D: Risk Management Example 139
Appendix E: Mini-Assessment Process 145
References 157
Index 161