Mapping Process Capability Models to Support Integrated Software Process Assessments

Abstract

Software process assessments have been used to verify the conformance with quality reference models or standards, usually in a context of software process improvement programs. Most of these assessments are concerned with just one specific model or standard. However, organizations could be interested in more than one model, being necessary to offer an integrated assessment that allows evaluate the conformance with different models at the same time, reducing time and costs. To do this, it is necessary to have some kind of mapping among the models to permit some level of automation. In this context, this paper presents a method to mapping process capability models and standards, including its application. A software tool is also presented to demonstrate how to use the resulting mapping in a real life situation.