A Framework for Improving the Requirements Engineering Process Management

This paper presents a system dynamics model for improving the requirements engineering process management. The paper argues that improving RE process management improves the quality of the specification produced. It uses a simulation modelling approach to capture the complex and dynamic nature of quality and also the cost of resources and time needed to complete the process. Current claims by various researchers and empirical evidence has led to our proposition that “the earlier in the requirements engineering phase that system dynamics simulation modelling is used, the more effective the RE process management is and the better its product quality will be.” In developing such a model, the paper fills an important gap in the RE process management literature and has potential to provide requirement engineers, managers and software development organisations with a model-based process framework to aid quality assessment and improvement. The paper concludes by suggesting that the framework makes a useful contribution both in providing the foundations for theory building in RE process management and quality improvement by aiding shared understanding through learning and training situations. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

软件需求变更管理的系统动力学仿真建模

软件需求变更频繁发生,给软件项目造成了诸多威胁.能否对需求变更进行有效的控制管理,决定着软件的成败.使用系统动力学方法对软件需求变更管理过程进行仿真建模,可以动态地分析并预测需求变更产生的原因以及变更对软件项目造成的影响;对软件需求变更管理过程改进进行系统动力学仿真,亦可以辅助软件项目组织选择合适的过程改进策略.因此,基于系统动力学方法,参考了敏捷过程进行开源软件需求变更管理过程的建模和模型检测.以Spring Framework项目为研究案例,进行该项目3.2.x分支的软件需求变更管理过程的系统动力学仿真分析,并对需求变更管理进行过程改进仿真.通过对过程改进的仿真结果进行比对,说明各改进策略均降低了基线数据的软件缺陷率,提高了软件质量.根据软件项目的成本和进度要求,给出了过程改进建议.     

基于Multi-Agent的混凝土坝浇筑仿真模型框架

混凝土坝浇筑计算机仿真是施工管理的重要依据之一。然而由于以往所建立的仿真模型多是基于工艺因素，缺乏对管理因素的考虑（像承包商的经济目标等），使得仿真系统很难准确地模拟真实的环境。基于多Agent系统的混凝土坝浇筑计算机仿真模型可以考虑工艺和组织管理两个方面的因素，使建立的模型更具实用性并提高描述问题的深度和广度。该文在对现有模型应用中存在问题分析基础上，提出了一种混凝土浇筑多Agent系统建模的构架，它把混凝土浇筑过程看作协商过程，使得施工管理人员可以得到更多的信息并进行交互。这一框架使得混凝土浇筑施工仿真模型更加具有智能性和价值性。     

Managing software process measurement: A metamodel-based approach

The evaluation of software processes is nowadays a very important issue due to the growing interest of software companies in the improvement of the productivity and quality of delivered products. Software measurement plays a fundamental role here. Given the great diversity of entities which are candidates for measurement in the software process improvement context (process models, projects, resources, products) this measurement must be performed in a consistent and integrated way. This will facilitate the making of decisions in process improvement. In this paper, a proposal for the integrated management of the software measurement is presented. The goal is to provide companies with a generic and flexible environment for software measurement which facilitates and establishes the basis for a common and effective measurement process and which is not restricted to only one kind of software entity or to a single quality or evaluation model. In order to achieve this, the proposal adopts the Model Driven Engineering philosophy and provides: a metamodel for the definition of software measurement models; a flexible method to measure any kind of software entity represented by its corresponding metamodel and GenMETRIC, which is the software tool that supports the framework.     

Software project management using PROMPT: A hybrid metrics, modeling and utility framework

In this paper, we present a ‘forward-looking’ decision support framework that integrates up-to-date metrics data with simulation models of the software development process in order to support the software project management control function. This forward-looking approach (called the PROMPT method) provides predictions of project performance and the impact of various management decisions. Tradeoffs among performance measures are accomplished using outcome based control limits (OBCLs) and are augmented using multi-criteria utility functions and financial measures of performance to evaluate various process alternatives. The decision support framework enables the program manager to plan, manage and track current software development activities in the short term and to take corrective action as necessary to bring the project back on track. The model provides insight on potential performance impacts of the proposed corrective actions. A real world example utilizing a software process simulation model is presented.     

Workflow simulation for operational decision support using event graph through process mining

It is increasingly common to see computer-based simulation being used as a vehicle to model and analyze business processes in relation to process management and improvement. While there are a number of business process management (BPM) and business process simulation (BPS) methodologies, approaches and tools available, it is more desirable to have a systemic BPS approach for operational decision support, from constructing process models based on historical data to simulating processes for typical and common problems. In this paper, we have proposed a generic approach of BPS for operational decision support which includes business processes modeling and workflow simulation with the models generated. Processes are modeled with event graphs through process mining from workflow logs that have integrated comprehensive information about the control-flow, data and resource aspects of a business process. A case study of a credit card application is presented to illustrate the steps involved in constructing an event graph. The evaluation detail is also given in terms of precision, generalization and robustness. Based on the event graph model constructed, we simulate the process under different scenarios and analyze the simulation logs for three generic problems in the case study: 1) suitable resource allocation plan for different case arrival rates; 2) teamwork performance under different case arrival rates; and 3) evaluation and prediction for personal performances. Our experimental results show that the proposed approach is able to model business processes using event graphs and simulate the processes for common operational decision support which collectively play an important role in process management and improvement.     

基于复用的软件过程改进方法

本文从改善CMM的实施和提高过程控制能力入手,给出一个基于复用的软件过程改进框架,该框架将复用技术应用于软件过程改进与控制中,将当前模型驱动的自顶向下的过程改进模式与度量驱动的自底向上的过程改进模式有机整合,它由组织层面的持续过程改进（大循环）嵌套项目层面的过程不断调整与优化（小循环）构成。以CMM为基础,定义了实施新的过程改进方法的组织与角色。设计一个支持过程复用的软件过程及项目管理支持系统。     

基于基准比对思想的软件可靠性预测仿真建模研究

可靠性作为衡量软件质量的重要特性,其定量评估和预测已成为人们关注和研究的焦点。本文针对这个问题展开研究,提出一个可用于软件测试之前的早期可靠性预测仿真模型。此仿真模型通过考查影响软件可靠性的过程因素,采用基准比对思想,利用软件过程度量数据,根据相似度比较,预测软件的残留缺陷数。由于该仿真模型仅需要静态历史数据,故可在软件测试之前,用于估计软件的残留缺陷数,从而预测软件的可靠性,为后期软件过程的改进以及软件测试计划的修正提供依据。     

Process analysis and reengineering

To achieve meaningful improvements of the process performance measures such as quality, speed, service, and cost, fundamental rethinking and redesign of the underlying process is required. Numerous corporations have been forced to change their processes in order to survive in a highly competitive market. To perform analysis and reengineering of processes, a structured and unified approach is required. In this paper, a framework based on the IDEF methodology, stream analysis approach, and dynamic simulation for process analysis and reengineering is presented. The stream analysis approach is used for analysis, diagnosis, and management of process changes represented with an IDEF model. To evaluate the impact of changes considered, support the process analysis, and to model performance of the proposed process, a dynamic simulation is used. This study extends the IDEF methodology by including quantitative information. The latter improves IDEF process analysis and reengineering capability, and facilitates the formulation of a dynamic simulation model. The significance of the results presented in the paper arises from the fact that many companies, e.g. Lockheed–Martin, General Motors, Rockwell International, are using IDEF for representing their processes.     

软件项目量化管理的实践

随着项目规模的增大、项目复杂度的不断提高,量化管理得到越来越广泛的应用和推广。量化管理使得企业能更主动的预测、监督、控制项目,获得更大收益。本文结合CMMI4量化管理理论,在组织级过程定义的基础上,根据度量决策驱动,确定项目哪些子过程需要进行量化管理,通过对软件项目进行量化管理以期望达到项目预定的质量和过程性能目标。结合实例说明了软件项目量化管理对于信息化建设实施过程管理的实际应用意义。     

软件过程改进框架

在软件开发过程中,软件工程师以及软件组织不可避免地会遇到各种困难,尤其是软件组织在实施能力成熟度模型(CMM)过程中面对的各种挑战.根据对CMM研究的体会与实践经验,提出了以集成的能力成熟度模型(CMMI)为基础,以个体软件过程和群组软件过程为支持的软件过程改进框架.     

An integrated multidimensional process improvement methodology for manufacturing systems

In this paper, an integrated multidimensional process improvement methodology (IMPIM) is formulated to address the yield management, process control and cost management problems of a manufacturing system. Simulation is used as a platform to implement the integrated multidimensional process methodology by incorporating the productivity, quality and cost dimension in a unified, systematic and holistic manner. Total Quality Management (TQM) addresses the quality parameters and Activity-Based Costing is used to manage the cost dimension of the system. Discrete event simulation is then used as a platform to perform process reengineering (Business Process Reengineering) and process improvement (TQM). The general implementation framework of the IMPIM is given with a step-by-step explanation. A conceptual discussion is also provided for the integrated methodology. The generic IMPIM is then formulated and the detailed implementation procedures for two case studies are compared with the generic methodology.     

面向GJB 2725A-2001的评测过程管理平台

设计了一个针对GJB 2725A-2001的测评过程管理平台——QESuite2.0。总结了GJB 2725A-2001及附加文件中与测评过程管理相关概念及模型。在此基础上阐述了流程可裁剪、功能可拆卸、项目可定制、文档可自动生成的总体功能架构及基于该框架的设计思想。给出了系统实现中的技术要点并讨论了后续的研发工作及应用前景。     

Quality through Managed Improvement and Measurement (QMIM): Towards a Phased Development and Implementation of a Quality Management System for a Software Company

The paper describes results of a longitudinal study of developments in the area of software product and process quality improvement within a Hungarian software company, IQSOFT Ltd. This company has been active in this area since 1993, trying to build, introduce and maintain an efficiently working quality management system which, e.g., fulfils the ISO 9001 requirements, allows steady software process improvement and, at the same time, conforms to company's own needs. Over the last eight years five phases could be distinguished. Each phase is described shortly, following the same structure, namely: basic starting points, key problem areas, literature consulted, activities and design executed, reflections on what happened and why. The lessons resulting from the analysis of this case have been formulated in terms of guidelines. We feel that these are applicable to any low maturity software development organisation embarking on a product or process quality improvement endeavour. These guidelines are developed around a framework containing the basic issues of software production (project management, technical processes and products). The guidelines advocate a careful step-by-step development of definitions, quality characteristics, and metrics related to these objects while at the same time developing and introducing the associated process.     

关于过程改进框架及其关键因素的探讨

文章在介绍能力成熟度模型(CMM)的产生背景和世界各国CMM评估情况的基础上,根据对CMM研究的体会与实践的经验,提出了以集成的能力成熟度模型(CMMI)为基础、以个体软件过程(PSP)和群组软件过程(TSP)为支持的过程改进框架,并提出了实现过程改进的五个关键因素。这个框架和这些关键因素可以作为组织实现过程改进的一般指南。     

软件缺陷度量与软件过程管理方法研究

软件能力成熟度模型第4级中要求在项目中定量管理,建立组织级过程性能,构成完整的量化管理,采用统计或其它定量方法管理软件过程,并通过对过程中出现的方法,技术等问题进行因果分析和寻找解决方案。在仔细研究了现有的缺陷度量分类方法和分析指标后,提出了一个基于缺陷度量与分析的软件过程改进模型。应用该模型可以设计缺陷数据管理系统。     

现代软件开发的过程管理方法研究

面对现代软件开发过程中的一系列问题,本文提出从改进软件开发方法和加强软件开发的过程管理两方面着手提高软件的质量。首先,探讨了基于构件/构架复用技术的现代软件开发模式;然后,就其特点提出现代软件开发过程管理中的一些有效的改进措施和方法。     

一种基于矩阵度量的缺陷管理流程的改进与实践

本文在分析软件过程中缺陷类型、缺陷注入、缺陷识别的基础上,对传统缺陷管理流程进行改进,增加了缺陷排除有效性的度量方法;然后提出一种实用的软件缺陷管理流程,建立了一个以软件缺陷生命周期为基础的度量模型,并给出了相应的缺陷矩阵度量方法;最后把该缺陷管理流程和度量方法应用在某公司的两个软件项目中,对各阶段的缺陷进行了度量,经实践和数据分析得出,运用此缺陷管理流程和度量方法可以为开发团队设定具体阶段目标和质量计划提供数据基础,为过程控制、过程评价、持续改进等提供量化管理的基础,表明本文改进后的缺陷管理流程和度量方法模型是有效的。     

基于度量和知识的软件过程管理系统的研究

越来越多的软件企业开展了知识管理和基于CMMI的软件过程改进.首先分析了软件度量与软件过程改进的关系;然后进一步分析了软件度量、知识管理与软件过程改进的关系;最后重点介绍了一个软件过程管理系统的模型框架、系统架构和主要功能.     

一种有效的软件过程改善模型

有效地改善软件过程是解决我国软件企业存在的生产率和管理水平低、产品质量难以保证等问题的根本所在。考虑到我国企业特点,文章提出了一个软件过程改善模型,其目的是帮助企业持续地进行软件过程改善。该模型包括五个活动,文章对这些活动进行了详细介绍,同时给出了在进行这些活动时应注意的问题。