Process Improvement and CMMI for Systems and Software

By: 
Emanuel R. Baker, Ron S. Kenett
Published: 
2010
Pages: 
435
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Book Description

Presenting the state of the art in strategic planning and process improvement, Process Improvement and CMMI® for Systems and Software provides a workable approach for achieving cost-effective process improvements for systems and software. Focusing on planning, implementation, and management in system and software processes, it supplies a brief overview of basic strategic planning models and covers fundamental concepts and approaches for system and software measurement, testing, and improvements.

The book represents the significant cumulative experience of the authors who were among the first to introduce quality management to the software development processes. It introduces CMMI® and various other software and systems process models. It also provides readers with an easy-to-follow methodology for evaluating the status of development and maintenance processes and for determining the return on investment for process improvements.

The authors examine beta testing and various testing and usability programs. They highlight examples of useful metrics for monitoring process improvement projects and explain how to establish baselines against which to measure achieved improvements. Divided into four parts, this practical resource covers:

  • Strategy and basics of quality and process improvement
  • Assessment and measurement in systems and software
  • Improvements and testing of systems and software
  • Managing and reporting data

The text concludes with a realistic case study that illustrates how the process improvement effort is structured and brings together the methods, tools, and techniques discussed. Spelling out how to lay out a reasoned plan for process improvement, this book supplies readers with concrete action plans for setting up process improvement initiatives that are effective, efficient, and sustainable.

Member Reviews: 

Review By: Julie Lacroix
01/18/2011"Process Improvement and CMMI for Systems and Software" is a great book to have in a library. However, this book is for intended for people already aware of process improvement vocabulary. I don't recommend it for people who want to initiate themselves on process improvement. The brief description of the process improvement model stays at a high level—no details are available in the book. However, if the reader has a basic knowledge on these models, the book is very interesting.

The book is divided into ten chapters, which are organized in a logical sequence for implementing process improvement. The last chapter presents a case study of the complete strategy for process improvement.

A lot of examples, tables, and figures are included for better understanding of the theory. Chapter eight, "Data Reporting and Analysis," is particularly rich on graphics and tables that illustrate measurements for analyzing the impact of the new process implementation.

My favorite chapter is chapter six, “Systems and Software Testing Strategies.” As I'm a testing manager, this topic is particularly interesting for my personal application of process improvement. The section about “Implementing a Testing Strategy” is the most useful section for me, as I personally implemented a testing strategy in past years and am currently trying to improve this strategy in order to be more efficient and better adapted to the new company situation. This section will help me identify and control the testing strategy as I improve it. It also adds a reference to my analysis report for the higher management of the company.

Chapter five, "System and Software Development Process Improvement," is helpful to my team-building process. It provides good points and references in order to build an efficient team and to assign right and concrete responsibilities to that team.

I consider this book a reference to have in the library of every company who wants to improve its current process and reach a higher level of maturity in development and testing aspects for systems and software. I will continue to consult it in my day-to-day activities in order to add weight and reference to my process improvement analysis.

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