Evaluating the congruence of a software process model in a given environment

Abstract

The adaptation (or tailoring or improvement) of software process models is recognised to be important for software development, and there is an urgent need for tools to assist in this task. However, a key issue underlying such tools is the determination of how fit (or congruent) a process model is in its environment. Knowing this would then help drive the adaptation or improvement activity. The paper describes a system for evaluating such congruence. The underlying approach is based on an empirically derived contingency model consisting of attributes of a software process model and its environment, and their interrelationships. The system accepts, as inputs, the characteristics of a software process model and its environment. It produces, as output, an evaluation of how congruent the process model is in the given environment. The system enables changes to variables and relationships so as to improve the process model congruence.