A framework for the use of six sigma tools in PSP/TSP

Abstract

The advent of software process models such as CMM/CMMI (Capability Maturity Model/ Capability Maturity Model Integration) has helped software engineers understand principles and approaches of software process improvement. There, however, have been difficulties increasing productivity from applying the models to software organizations since how" is not within the scope of CMM/CMMI. For this reason, SEI (Software Engineering Institute) introduced PSP/TSP (Personal Software Process/Team Software Process); however, they still lack statistical analysis tools and systematic process control techniques for analyzing measures collected in PSP/TSP. Six Sigma, on the other hand, provides the quantitative analysis tools necessary to identify high leverage activities, control process performance, and evaluate the effectiveness of process changes. Deploying PSP/TSP in conjunction with Six Sigma, therefore, can directly lead to improved project performance and continuous process improvement by analyzing data, assessing process stability, and prioritizing improvements. There have been some efforts to integrate Six Sigma tools into PSP/TSP; however, it is not easy for software developers to use Six Sigma tools in the right place at the right time in PSP/TSP based on previous works because each Six Sigma tool requires different data from different PSP/TSP activities. In this thesis, a framework that guides how and where Six Sigma tools are considered in PSP/TSP is proposed. In addition, a value-based process tailoring guideline that helps software organizations choose a subset of Six Sigma tools for PSP/TSP is provided. When resources are scarce in software development projects, a value-based process tailoring guideline helps software organizations choose a subset of Six Sigma tools for PSP/TSP based on ROIs of Six Sigma tools.