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Brainstorming as a Route to Improving Software Processes

Authors:
Celestina Bianco

Keywords: improvement; participation; experience; motivation.

Abstract:
This contribution shows how a “guided brainstorming” process facilitates the applicability of an assessment and process improvement model (such as for example SPiCE or CMMi) to Companies that develop Critical Software applications. For a Manufacturer that deals with time-to-market and customer satisfaction, as well as with regulations and laws, both efficiency and efficacy are mandatory for regulatory and commercial purposes, and become strictly related. A Process Improvement is often necessary for a company that develops and distributes critical software in order to establish a Quality System, which is a set of established procedures with measurable and auditable output. To be effective these procedures must be or become a natural part of the daily activities. To provide an efficient way to approach and implement the improvement plan, we suggest guided brainstorm sessions, which are a good interactive opportunity for team and formalization building. Although the concept of brainstorming is not novel in organizations, it is generally a first approach to discussions that are later formalized. The use of this technique for definition of critical requirements or regulated activities is not common. For the definition of Quality Systems, a top-down approach (definition, training, roll-out, audit) is generally used whereas brainstorming can be considered bottom-up approach, from experience to formalization.

Pages: 500 to 503

Copyright: Copyright (c) IARIA, 2011

Publication date: October 23, 2011

Published in: conference

ISSN: 2308-4235

ISBN: 978-1-61208-165-6

Location: Barcelona, Spain

Dates: from October 23, 2011 to October 29, 2011