On the Use of Ontologies in Software Process Assessment

Abstract

Software process assessment (SPA) is foundation step for software process improvement. ISO/IEC 15504 defines term process assessment as the systematic evaluation of an organization's processes against a process reference model (PRM). In process assessment, there is a need to set and maintain a mapping between an organization's processes and a PRM, where process experts transform gap between two into opportunities for process improvement. To maintain such a mapping requires a continuous tracking and alignment between organization's processes and PRM(s). The use of ontologies might be a suitable solution to provide computerized tool support for SPA that becomes erroneous and time-consuming if done manually. With an aim to understand use and usefulness of ontologies in SPA, in this study, we have performed a systematic literature review (SLR). We have searched most known digital libraries and selected 14 studies out of 54 initially selected and 571 initially retrieved. We analyzed selected studies with respect to a number of research questions that address; contribution facet, targeted software processes, research facet, process improvement model used, process assessment model used, ontology representation language, purpose of ontology use, qualitative and quantitative benefits reported, and challenges faced. As a result, we synthesized a conceptual model of ontology-based support in SPA. We hope results of our work will be useful for researchers and practitioners to direct their future studies on use of ontologies for SPA.