Software Process Improvement in Small Organizations

Abstract

Recently, many micro and small-sized enterprises (MSEs) have implemented a model-based Software Process Improvement (SPI) initiative. An initiative like this is a knowledge-intensive activity that uses and creates knowledge related to multiple areas (SPI knowledge) that should be managed. However, MSEs do not usually manage their SPI knowledge, which results in its erosion and eventual loss. This chapter discusses the importance of Knowledge Management (KM) for those MSEs that are implementing an SPI initiative. It also presents the knowledge created or required to accomplish the implementation of this type of initiative. Finally, it discusses the characteristics that a software tool should have to effectively support this KM process.