A methodology for identifying critical success factors that influence software process improvement initiatives: an application in the Brazilian software industry

  • Authors:

  • Mariano Montoni;Ana Regina Rocha

  • Affiliations:

  • COPPE, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil;COPPE, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

  • Venue:
  • EuroSPI'07 Proceedings of the 14th European conference on Software Process Improvement
  • Year:
  • 2007

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Abstract

Continuous improvement of software development capability is fundamental for organizations to thrive in competitive markets. Nevertheless, Software Process Improvement (SPI) initiatives have demonstrated limited results because SPI managers usually fail to cope with factors that have influence on the success of SPI. In this paper, we present the results of a multistrategy approach aiming to identify critical success factors (CSF) that have influence on SPI. The study results were confirmed by the literature review. The CSF were identified through a combination of qualitative and quantitative analyses of the results of a survey we conducted with SPI practitioners involved in Brazilian software industry experiences. We also identified the relationships of major factors that emerged from the survey. We expect that the major CSF presented in this paper can be used by SPI managers in the definition of SPI strategies aiming to enhance SPI initiatives success.