SPICE for small organisations
Angela Tuffley, Bill Grove, G.W. McNair · Software Process Improvement and Practice · 2004
Abstract There is a perception in small to medium software developers that international standards and process improvement models such as ISO/IEC 15504 are developed and are relevant only for large organisations. This paper discusses the results of a case study focusing on the conduct of a process improvement project in a small organisation, Mirrabooka Systems Pty Ltd. The project involved providing financial assistance, assessment services and process improvement mentoring to improve the capability of the organisation's software development processes. The activities centred around the provision of ISO/IEC 15504 conformant assessments, or more commonly known as SPICE Assessments, the results of which provided a basis for developing and implementing a process improvement programme for the organisation, which was implemented over a period of 18 months, and finally determining the improvements realised over that time frame. It discusses both the benefits and concerns Mirrabooka Systems Pty Ltd experienced by participating in the project and also demonstrates that ISO/IEC 15504 is not just suitable for large organisations but is also relevant and beneficial for small organisations. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.