|
In September 2009 a group of experts in Software Process Improvement (SPI) from all over the world gathered in connection with the EuroSPI Conference for a workshop at Universidad de Alcalá in Spain. EuroSPI’s mission is to develop an experience and knowledge exchange platform for Europe where SPI practices can be discussed and exchanged and knowledge can be gathered and shared. At the workshop 15 experts presented their ‘wisdom’ grounded in many years of process improvement experience. Based on the presentations, 30 workshop participants brainstormed core values and principles specifically for process improvement. Via affinity analysis and group thinking exercises we ended up with a manifesto for SPI.
At the end of the workshop 4 values and 14 principles were identified. Among the group of participants, authoring responsibilities were distributed on a voluntary basis backed by personal justification. Some values and principles were focused on by more then one volunteer. By mid-October 2009 all the contributions were available to the editors, who edited the document thoroughly. A number of principles were written with considerable overlap so it was obvious that they should be consolidated. The same consolidation needs were applied to one of the values. The editors restructured the documented and edited the text so that it introduces itself in a uniform style. The result was a document with three core values and eleven principles. This document
was ready in November 2009. Eight reviewers read the resulting document and commented thoroughly. Finally all the comments were addressed in this final version from January 2010, including a joining of two principles and a shorter formulation of the principles – so the final document consists of three values and ten principles. A final review was performed by Tim Kasse.
A ‘manifest’ makes things clear and obvious or evident. This manifest gives expression to state-of-the-art knowledge on SPI. It is based on hundreds of person-years of practice and experience from organisations worldwide.
You can use the manifest to obtain knowledge on SPI. It will help you to remember what is important about Software Process Improvement ? Each value and the consequent principles are written so you can easily place yourself into the problem and its context. Short explanations for each value are provided that can further augment your understanding. Each value also has some relevant examples that will make it easier to learn and remember the values and principles. You can use the manifest when you are responsible for planning a SPI project. The third manifest value states that SPI is actually really about change. Thus, you can apply the principles in your SPI project that will support the necessary corresponding change in the organisation. We hope you enjoy reading the manifesto and find the contents useful.
Jan Pries-Heje and Jørn Johansen
Download the SPI Manifesto here
EuroSPI Newsletter available here
