Module 10: Advanced Topics in Software Engineering

What is SPI?

The term software process improvement (SPI) implies many things:

• elements of an effective software process can be defined in an effective manner.
• an existing organizational approach to software development can be assessed against those elements.
• a meaningful strategy for improvement can be defined.

Approaches to SPI

Maturity Model

A maturity model is applied within the context of an SPI framework. The intent of the maturity model is to provide an overall indication of the "process maturity" exhibited by a software organization. That is :

• an indication of the quality of the software process, the degree to which practitioner's understand and apply the process.
• the general state of software engineering practice.

The CMMI

The Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI) is a comprehensive process meta-model that is predicated on a set of system and software engineering capabilities that should be present as organizations reach different levels of process capability and maturity.

The CMMI represents a process meta-model in two different ways:

• "continuous" model
• "staged " model

Trends in SE



Software Engineering Ethics

1. PUBLIC - Software engineers shall act consistently with the public interest.
2. CLIENT AND EMPLOYER - Software engineers shall act in a manner that is in the best interests of their client and employer consistent with the public interest.
3. PRODUCT - Software engineers shall ensure that their products and related modifications meet the highest professional standards possible.
4. JUDGMENT - Software engineers shall maintain integrity and independence in their professional judgment.
5. MANAGEMENT - Software engineering managers and leaders shall subscribe to and promote an ethical approach to the management of software development and maintenance.
6. PROFESSION - Software engineers shall advance the integrity and reputation of the profession consistent with the public interest.
7. COLLEAGUES - Software engineers shall be fair to and supportive of their colleagues.
8. SELF - Software engineers shall participate in lifelong learning regarding the practice of their profession and shall promote an ethical approach to the practice of the profession.