Many organizations are attempting to improve the quality and reliability of their software development products through the application of rigorous and disciplined approaches. These approaches, such as the SEI Capability Maturity Model (CMM), ISO 9000, and similar models, require the successful integration of technical, people and methodology issues. Often software process improvement efforts within organizations become a business necessity as more and more contracts require proof of software process maturity.

Success is often determined by quantitatively measuring quality and productivity factors and aligning these results with business objectives to show savings in cost and time as well as increases in reliability and performance. This mini-track encourages submissions that deal with the implementation of process improvement programs that emphasize the application of models and standards. In addition, submissions on process improvement research issues such as complexity models, process mapping, reusable software components, design and coding innovations, etc. are encouraged.

Topics for this mini-track include, but are not limited to, the following issues relevant to research activities and practical implementation efforts in the area of software process improvement:

Application and adaptation of models and standards such as:

• SEI Capability Maturity Model (CMM)
• SEI People Capability Maturity Model (P-CMM)
• SEI CMMI (Integrated Capability Maturity Model)
• Other SEI models such as Systems Engineering, Software Acquisition, Trusted Systems, etc.
• ISO 9001/9003 applied to software development and maintenance
• International Models such as : TickIT, Bootstrap, Trillium, etc.
• SPICE (ISO 155504) · IEEE standards
• DoD and Mil Standards

Research and practical application activities involving:

• Software reuse
• SPI case studies
• SPI-related tools
• SDLC-related tools
• Software quality assurance
• Reviews and inspections
• Software complexity models
• Design and coding innovations
• Business alignment for SPI efforts
• Team and corporate culture issues

We invite papers that address any of the areas listed above, as well as any related issues. A range of research methodologies including conceptual, lab experiments, surveys, and case studies, among others, would be appropriate:

Mini Track Co-Chairs

Gene McGuire
Associate Professor
Comp. Sci. and Info. Sys.
American University
4400 Massachusetts Ave., N.W.
Clark Hall, Room 117
Washington, D.C. 20016-8116
Phone: (202) 885-3268 (office)
E-mail: mcguire@american.edu

Rick Gibson
Associate Professor
Comp. Sci. and Info. Sys.
American University
4400 Massachusetts Ave., N.W.
Clark Hall, Rm. 117
Washington, D.C. 20016-8116
Phone: (202) 885-2735
E-Mail: rgibson@american.edu