Low-rigour, rapid software process assessments for small software development firms

Rigorous software process improvement (SPI) assessments are considered by many small software development firms to be too expensive. We present the results from a program in which low-rigour, one-day SPI assessments were offered at no cost to 22 small software development firms. Analysis shows an association between capability levels achieved and staff experience and education level. Also, the process capability of firms varied depending on the industry sectors targeted by firms. About eight months after the assessment, the firms were contacted to arrange a follow-up meeting to determine the extent to which they had implemented the recommendations. Analysis of the capability levels at the time of assessment and later follow-up meeting reveals that the process improvement program was effective in improving the process capability of many of these small software development firms.