A study in process simplification

One of the major problems with software development processes is their complexity. Hence, one of the primary motivations in process improvement is the simplification of these complex processes. We report a study to explore various simplification approaches and techniques. We used the available process documentation, questionnaires and interviews, and a set of process visualization tool fragments (pfv) to gain an understanding of the process under examination. We then used three basic analysis techniques to locate candidates for simplification and improvement: value added analysis, time usage analysis, and alternatives analysis. All three approaches proved effective in isolating problem areas for improvement. The proposed simplifications resulted in a savings of 20% in cost, 20% in human effort, 40% in elapse time, and a 30% reduction in the number of activities.