• Presents the state of the art in strategic planning and process improvement
• Introduces CMMI and various other software and systems process models
• Covers important fundamental concepts and approaches to system and software measurement, testing, and improvements
• Focuses on planning, implementation, and management in system and software processes

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.

PART I: STRATEGY AND BASICS OF QUALITY AND PROCESS IMPROVEMENT

The Strategic Role of Systems and Software Quality
Basic Strategic Planning
Strategic Planning Models
Elements of System and Software Quality
Deployment of Strategic Quality Goals
Strategic Maps and Balanced Scorecards

Basic Elements of Continuous Process Improvement
Continuous Improvement Infrastructures
Process Improvement Projects and Measurement Programs
Six Sigma (DMAIC and DFSS Methodology)
Enterprise Knowledge Development (EKD)
Organizational Patterns

Part II: ASSESSMENT AND MEASUREMENT IN SYSTEMS AND SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT

CMMI, People CMM, Personal and Team Software Process, eSCM, ITIL, and ISO Standards
Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI)
People CMM
Personal and Team Software Process
eSourcing Capability Model (eSCM)
Information Technology Infrastructure Library^® (ITIL^®)
ISO Standards and Models

System and Software Measurement Programs
Defining Measures for Process Control and Improvement
Effectiveness of Process Measurement Programs
Measurement Programs Implementation Steps
Case Studies
Measurement Program Case Studies
Beneficial Measurement Examples
Measurement and the CMMI High Maturity Practices

Part III: IMPROVEMENTS AND TESTING OF SYSTEMS AND SOFTWARE

System and Software Development Process Improvement
Implementing System and Software Process Improvement
Managing Improvement Projects
Roles and Responsibilities and Specifying Mission Statements
Criteria for Team Composition
Launching Improvement Teams
Managing Improvement Teams
After Action Reviews

System and Software Testing Strategies
Designing a Test Strategy
Implementing a Test Strategy
Software Cybernetics
Test Strategy Results
Assessing Testing Effectiveness and Efficiency
Software Reliability Models
Appendix: Software Reliability Models
6A1. Markov Models
6A2. NHPP Models
6A.3 Bayesian Models
6A.4 Estimation for Model Parameters and Semi Parametric Control

System and Software Beta and Usability Programs
Planning Beta Programs
Beta Test Data Collection and Analysis
Beta Test Risk and Usability Analysis
Usability Analysis
Determining Readiness Success Criteria
Managing Readiness Reviews

Part IV: MANAGING AND REPORTING DATA, AND A COMPREHENSIVE CASE STUDY

Data Reporting and Analysis
Designing a Data Reporting System
Operating a Data Reporting System
Analyzing Data
Reporting on Findings and Consequences
Field Data Reporting

Systems Development Management Dashboards and Decision Making
Introduction to SDMD
A Systems Development Management Dashboard Case Study
Additional Metrics at the PMO Level
Risk Management and Optimizing Decisions with Data

A Case Study: The Journey of Systems Inc. to CMMI Level 5
Background of System Inc.
The Systems Inc. appraisal
Strategic Planning for Process Improvement

Index

Each chapter begins with a "Synopsis" and concludes with a "Summary"