An evolutionary cultural-change approach to successful software process improvement

With a plethora of models, systems and standards to choose for a basis of software process improvement, decisions on which to adopt may depend on a number of factors. This paper presents an evolutionary and extremely cost effective approach to implementing a software quality system that requires minimum resource and little disruption to programme delivery. The method presented, achieved a 40% improvement in the level of implementation of the AWE plc software quality management system over a 5-year period. A critical success factor is the treatment of the users’ of the defined software quality system as customers, understanding their concerns and problems, and being responsive to them. The importance of a well designed system is highlighted together with the essential and extensive consultation process required to gain buy-in and lay the foundation for cultural change. This was supported with a helpful programme of facilitated self-assessment and sustained by a closely aligned training scheme. As a consequence some of the cultural elements were changed from one of thoughtless “tick-in-the-box” compliance to one of true understanding of the system requirements, true quality implementation, and subsequent added value.

Janet EdwardsEmail:

---

Michael Elliott   is a Chartered Engineer and member of the British Computer Society. He is the Sodftware Quality Manager at the Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE) in the UK and is accountable to ensure the certification to ISO 9001:2000 for all software related activities. Mike’s particular interest is the intricacies of dealing with different people in a culturally diverse establishment, such as AWE. He has recently completed post graduate research at Loughborough University with Ray Dawson and Janet Edwards. His thesis was entitled “Achieving business excellence in software quality management”. The research investigated the practical nuances of the internal auditing, the adoption of self-assessment as a methodology, the cost effectiveness of training and the cost-benefits associated with implementing best practice in software quality management. Ray Dawson   obtained a Bachelor’s degree in mathematics with engineering and a masters degree in engineering from Nottingham University before entering industry with Plessey Telecommunications in 1977. While working at the company he developed an interest in the working methods for software development as practiced in industry. This became a research interest when he joined Loughborough University as a lecturer in 1987. Other research interests are information systems and knowledge management which he now combines with his interest in industrial working practices to work with companies to improve their information and knowledge management systems. Ray Dawson is now a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Computer Science and leader of the Knowledge Management Research Group at Loughborough University in the UK, and is a Chartered Engineer and fellow of the British Computer Society. Janet Edwards   has recently retired as a lecturer in Computer Science at Loughborough University. She has a Btech (Hons) degree in Metallurgical Engineering and Management and an MSc degree by research in Robotic Control from Loughborough University. She spent a number of years working as a software engineer in various organisations before returning to Loughborough. Her current research interests include Electronic Communication and E-commerce.