Process Improvement Models

The two most-often-used Process Improvement Models (PIMs) are ISO-9000-3 and the Software Engineering Institute's Capability Maturity Model (CMM). Other schemes (e.g., Bootstrap, TickIT, and SPICE) are derivatives of ISO-9000-3 and the CMM.

TickIT originated in the U.K. in 1991 under the sponsorship of the country's Department of Trade and Industry. It is a guideline for the implementation of ISO-9000-3. It addresses issues of specification, design, develop ment, installation, and support of software. TickIT is frequently used as a requirement in supplier selection.

Bootstrap builds on the CMM model. It was developed from one of the EC's ESPRIT p rojects and is administered by the Bootstrap Institute in Brussels, Belgium. After an initial assessment from which an improvement scheme is developed, independent assessments are carried out on a regular basis. Various software tools help implement the self-assessment stage of this PIM.

SPICE (which stands for Software Process Improvement and Capability Determination) works both as a means of assessing process capability and as a PIM. It is also a method of bringing into line the other assessment methods. Using a five-capability-level categorization, SPICE is the new boy on the block. It is still undergoing trials at companies of varying size throughout Europe. This is being done to determine its worth as an ISO standard.