The Rosetta Stone methodology – a benefits driven approach to software process improvement

In response to the lack of a business-focused approach to software process improvement (SPI), the Rosetta Stone objective-driven SPI Methodology (RSM) has been developed which allows organizations to undertake SPI based on business-driven objectives using proven SPI methodologies. To demonstrate usefulness and practicality, the Rosetta Stone IGSI-ISM to CMMI Instance mapping (RS-ICMMI) is developed using a generic set of business objectives which are mapped to the CMMI (Staged) model using a modified version of GQM. This methodology and the RS-ICMMI instance have been validated by experts

The Rosetta Stone methodology : a benefits driven approach to software process improvement

Part of the maturity process in the fields of software engineering and information technology has involved, and continues to involve, establishing best practices in the various domains that constitute the area. Specifically, from a software development perspective, there are several competing Software Process Improvement (SPI) methodologies such as the Software Engineering Institute’s (SEI) Capability Maturity Model Integrated (CMMI) approach and the International Standards Organization’s ISO/IEC 15504 (previously known as SPICE). All these initiatives aim to improve an organization’s systems capabilities but they aim to do so from an Information Technology (IT) perspective. However, the majority of organizations are not IT-centric and IT is but one of several elements which contributes to their success. As a result, organizational leaders are more comfortable seeing the benefits of SPI within the context of organizational benefits and objectives and what SPI can contribute to the organization as a whole, not as a purely IT objective. Unfortunately, there is a dearth of methodologies which approach software improvement from an organizational goals and objectives perspective. In response to the lack of an organization-focused approach to SPI, the research presented in this thesis, the Rosetta Stone Methodology, has been developed. This methodology allows organizations to make SPI decisions based on business- and organizational-driven goals and objectives. The methodology allows practitioners to map from a benefits model which is organization-focused to a proven SPI methodology. The methodology itself is fully customizable and allows organizations to make adjustments to the model where they feel it appropriate. Further, in order to demonstrate the usefulness, appropriateness, and practicality of the generic methodology, the Rosetta Stone IGSI-ISM to CMMI Instance mapping (RSICMMI)is developed using a generic set of business objectives developed by IBM Consulting Services which are then mapped to an established SPI methodology, namely the CMMI (Staged) model. Using the RS-ICMMI instance of the methodology, practitioners can readily determine which specific Process Areas should be undertaken to achieve specific business objectives. A validation phase was performed whereby both the methodology and the instance mapping were reviewed by experts

Proceso de cambio : formalización y valorización con análisis costo-eficiencia en fase inicial para la mejora del proceso de software

The thesis is located in two (2) key areas of knowledge: The Software Process Improvement (SPI Software Process Improvement) and Process Change (PDC) at Process Software (PDS) r.Aethods of .Analysis and Cost-Efficiency (ACE), both in the light of the theory and practice of software engineering, project management, information systems and some social science disciplines such as Finance and Economy. The thesis focuses on an initial phase of PdC PdS Process Software, at mean, one in which the decision to proceed or not, bring changes in the way of producing software is taken. The stage work of this thesis are SMEs Software. To carry out this research an epistemological, ontological and pragmatic qualitative research approach was used. To perform a work methodology, we grounded theory with content analysis was used depth interviews was applied to different stakeholders with different levels of participation in PdC the PDS. The results were compared and validated with a Case Study of a real company. Finally, the thesis provides a methodological support that integrates organizational models, BO methods of financial analysis for the evaluation of the proposal, BD methods of economic analysis for the assessment of the proposal and guidelines for use. Additionally, and most importantly, ACE models to assess intangible added values, from the economic viewpoint. This thesis can be continuity if the study is expanded to other geographical areas and using mixed methods to extend the results to strengthen the methodological support.Esta tesis se ubica en dos (2) áreas claves del conocimiento: La Mejora al Proceso de Software (SPI, Software Process lmprovement) como Proceso de Cambio (PdC) al Proceso deSoftware (PdS) y los Métodos de Análisis Costo-Eficiencia (ACE), ambas a la luz de la teoría y práctica de la Ingeniería del Software, la Dirección de Proyectos, los Sistemas de Información y algunas disciplinas de las ciencias sociales como las Finanzas y la Economía. La tesis se enfoca en una fase inicial del PdC al Proceso de Software PdS, es decir, aquella en la que se toma la decisión de llevar a cabo o no, cambios en la forma de producir software. El escenario de trabajo de esta tesis son las PyME de Software. Para llevar adelante esta investigación se utilizó un enfoque epistemológico, ontológico y pragmático de la investigación cualitativa. Para llevar a cabo una metodología de trabajo se utilizó la Teoría Fundamentada con Análisis de Contenido. Se aplicó la entrevsta a profundidad a diferentes interesados con distintos niveles de participación en los PdC al PdS. Los resultados fueron contrastados y validados con un estudio de caso de una empresa real. Finalmente, la tesis aporta un Soporte Metodológico que integra modelos organizacionales, BD con métodos de análsis financiero para la evaluación de la propuesta, BD con métodos de análisis económico para la valoración de la propuesta, y las guías para el uso. Adicionalmente y lo más importante, los modelos de ACE para valorar intangibles-valores añadidos , desde el punto de \Asta económico. Esta tesis puede llevar una continuidad si se expande el estudio a otras áreas geográficas y utilizando métods mixtos que amplíen los resultados para fortalecer el Soporte Metodológico.Postprint (published version