Policy Assessment for the Software Process Maturity Model

Abstract

DARPA and the DoD Software Action Plan (SWAP) Committee tasked IDA to provide an analysis of DoD-wide application of the Software Engineering Institute (SEI) software process maturity model. The results of this analysis will be used by DARPA and SWAP to formulate a DoD-wide policy associated with mandating SEI's process maturity model. This document presents the analysis, focusing on a) implementation issues associated with mandating software process assessments (SPAs) and software capability evaluations (SCEs) DoD-wide, b) the availability and adequacy of data to determine the benefits and effectiveness of process maturity, and c) a comparison of the maturity model and methods with similar techniques. Based on the analysis, we conclude that policy mandating SPAs and SCEs is desirable, but improved guidance and supporting infrastructure is needed in order to implement the policy effectively. For this reason, we recommend that an action plan be developed to identify government needs and to establish responsibilities for the improvement activities. In addition, the policy mandating SCEs and SPAs DoD-wide should be delayed about one year in order to implement the action plan.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Aug 01, 1992
Accession Number
ADA261352

Entities

People

  • Beth Springsteen
  • Bill R. Brykczynski
  • Dennis W. Fife
  • John W. Norris
  • Reginald N. Meeson

Organizations

  • Institute for Defense Analyses

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • C4I

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Abstracts
  • Accuracy
  • Availability
  • Classification
  • Department Of Defense
  • Engineering
  • Governments
  • Guidance
  • Infrastructure
  • Materials
  • Monitoring
  • National Governments
  • Software Development
  • Test And Evaluation

Fields of Study

  • Computer science

Readers

  • Government and Public Administration Law.
  • Software Engineering.