Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
methods generally is not a part of PSP/TSP, whereas that is a central feature of
software DFSS.
Whereas Six Sigma for Software incorporates the DFSS approach to improving
the feature/function/cost trade-off in definition and design of the software product,
this aspect is not addressed by CMMI/PSP/TSP. Tools such as KJ analysis, quality
function deployment (QFD), conjoint analysis, design of experiments (DOE), and
many others have high leverage applications in the world of software, but they are
not specifically addressed by CMMI/PSP/TSP.
CMMI/PSP/TSP is among the several potential choices of software development
process definition that can lead to improved software project performance. The full
potential of the data produced by these processes cannot be fully leveraged without
applying the more comprehensive Six Sigma for Software tool kit.
The relation of Six Sigma for Software to CMMI/PSP/TSP also might be character-
ized as a difference in goals, in which the goals of CMMI/PSP/TSP may be a subset of
those associated with Six Sigma for Software. The primary goals of CMMI/PSP/TSP
are continuous improvement in the performance of software development teams in
terms of software product cost, cycle time, and delivered quality. The goals of Six
Sigma for Software may include the goals of CMMI/PSP/TSP, but they do not specify
any particular process definition to achieve those goals. In addition, Six Sigma for
Software may be applied to achieve many other business objectives, such as improved
customer service after delivery of the software, or improved customer satisfaction
and value realization from the software product feature set delivered. Six Sigma for
Software applies to the software process, the software product, and to balancing the
“voice of the customer” and the “voice of the business” to maximize overall business
value resulting from processes and products.
An additional distinction is that Six Sigma typically is applied to selected projects,
whereas CMMI, PSP, and TSP are intended for all projects. Six Sigma may, for
example, be used to plan and evaluate pilot implementation of CMMI/PSP/TSP, and
CMMI/PSP/TSP can provide an orderly and defined vehicle to institutionalize the
lessons learned from Six Sigma projects. The most fundamental tenet of Six Sigma is
that it must be “managed by fact.” This view is consistent with that of TSP/PSP, but
it has not yet been established that PSP/TSP is the “best” alternative in every context,
only that it is better than some alternatives.
APPENDIX 10.A
Software Support
Register at the SEI Web site to get the necessary software support package for student
or instructor. After the necessary registering procedure, download the package from
the SEI Web site “PSP-for-Engineers-Public-Student-V4.1.zip” (there could be a
newer version now.
Version V4.1 contains three folders, namely, “Release Information,” “Student
Workbook,” and “Support Materials.” The release information folder has “Release
information for V4.1” and “Configuration Document” where general information
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