A software assessment process for small software enterprises

Quality software products fulfilling the combined expectations of the customer are essential for success in the market, particularly for small software enterprises. The quality of a complex software product can only be based on performing a mature development process. The assessment of the software processes helps to determine the capability of an organization and to initiate a process improvement. For the assessment of organizations, several methodologies have been proposed. Examples include the CMM (Capability Maturity Model), BOOTSTRAP and the new standard ISO 15504, formerly called SPICE (Software Process Improvement Capability dEtermination). For small enterprises, however, high-priced and sophisticated assessment methods depending on several external consultants are inviable. This paper reports on the experiences of an assessment and improvement process in a small software company. The process is based on an initial self-evaluation and following structured interviews in the company. A first application of the approach has revealed very promising results.