Tailoring Software Process Improvement Models for Software Enterprises in Sudan

ABSTRACT The majority of software development organizations all over the world are small enterprises. Successful implementation of SPI methodologies in small software enterprises (SEs) is generally not possible because such organizations are not capable of investing the cost of implementing these programs and limited resources. Software Process Improvement (SPI) activities have been reported to result in remarkable improvements in the quality of software, reduced time to market and increased productivity . The main goal of the research is to propose a model for small software enterprise, such as the enterprises working in Sudan. To develop the model, An extensive literature survey of software process improvement methodologies in SMEs, and an investigation of software development market in Sudan. The proposed model tailors the existing software processes to suite the special characteristics of the companies in Sudan. The Model used a designing questionnaire to measures the readiness of Sudanese software enterprises for implementation SPI in practices such as (initial, management and improvement). The data was collected from three small software Sudanese -based companies, and analyzed. The result of the analysis showed that the three companies at capability maturity less than improvement level. Which means that they do not follow any software process improvement standards. Both company (B&C) at the proposed model level-1 (Initial), Company (A) needs to implement the proposed model from level-1. The contribution of the research is the benefit for stakeholders of SPI projects in small companies special Sudanese software companies. The proposed model could be applicable in case companies are having trouble in initiating SPI or have concerns about the cost of implementing SPI.

Table of Contents

Abstract.......................................................................................................................................i

Table of Contents.................................................................................................................... iii

List of Tables ............................................................................................................................. v

List of Figures ..........................................................................................................................vi

List of Abbreviations ............................................................................................................. vii

Chapter One: Introduction ......................................................................................................1

1.1 Introduction .......................................................................................................................1

1.2 Problem Statements...........................................................................................................2

1.3 Research Aim and Objective.............................................................................................2

1.4 Outcomes and deliverables................................................................................................2

Chapter Two: Literature Review ............................................................................................3

2.1 SPI Previous Studies worldwide (K-model) .....................................................................3

2.1.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................3

2.1.2 Structure of K-model..................................................................................................3

2.1.3 Level of K-model........................................................................................................3

2.2 Previous study about SPI in SMEs in Sudan ....................................................................4

2.3 Software Process Improvement.........................................................................................8

2.3.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................8

2.3.2 Process Improvement Cycle .......................................................................................8

2.3.3 The Process Maturity Framework ............................................................................10

2.3.4 SPI Processes............................................................................................................11

2.3.5 Risk Management for SPI.........................................................................................13

2.4 Process improvement in Small Enterprises.....................................................................14

2.4.1 Definition of Small Software Enterprise ..................................................................14

2.4.2 Characteristics of Small Software Organization ......................................................14

2.4.3 Organizational challenges.........................................................................................14

2.4.4 Previous work done in this area worldwide: ............................................................15

2.4.5 Process Improvement for the Small and Agile.........................................................15

2.4.6 Software process improvement in Sudanese software organizations.......................16

iv

Chapter Three: Methodology ................................................................................................17

3.1 procedures resulted in the model.....................................................................................17

3.1.1Software process improvement methodologies in SMEs..........................................17

3.1.2 Data Collection &Analysis (questionnaire)..............................................................18

3.1.3 Investigation of market.............................................................................................30

3.1.4 Tailoring SP to Sudanese organization:....................................................................31

3.2 The Proposed Model .......................................................................................................32

3.2.1 Introduction ..............................................................................................................32

3.2.2 The main features of the model ................................................................................32

3.2.3 Levels of the proposed model:..................................................................................33

3.2.4 Documentations in the proposed model ...................................................................35

3.2.5 Qualification and training of assessor ......................................................................37

3.2.6 The adaptation principles..........................................................................................37

Chapter Four: Results & Discussions...................................................................................38

Chapter Five: Conclusion& Recommendations...................................................................39

5.1 Conclusion.......................................................................................................................39

5.2 Recommendations...........................................................................................................40

References................................................................................................................................41