Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
14.2.3 Training and Updating of Skills
Training has been the bane of many software development organizations, Training
of resources is not considered as an important activity. Training imparts skills in
the human resources necessary to carry out the present job effectively, as well as,
to equip them to be ready to shoulder higher responsibilities in the future. The right
kind of training goes a long way in ensuring that the performance on the job is
effective. While organizations spend readily for imparting training on a new
language programming, they do shy away from spending on imparting require-
ments engineering skills to selected employees.
The software development field is one noted for fast obsolescence through con-
tinuous new developments. The requirements engineering itself has undergone a
metamorphosis from the days of a simple functional specifications definition to
present day's advanced requirements establishment techniques. Therefore, the skills
of the people carrying out the requirements engineering ought to be upgraded on a
regular basis. This can be achieved by sponsoring employees to attend public sem-
inars conducted on the topic, subscribing to related journals, conducting knowledge
sharing sessions and so on.
The pitfall has been that these activities of training and updating of skills had
not been given adequate attention in the organizations. The best practice is to
conduct initial skills training and then periodically update the skills with the latest
developments in the field using a process driven approach.
14.2.4 Definition and Improvement of Process
Any organizational activity would have predictable results if it is driven by an
organizational process which is continuously improved in line with the changing
times. It is the organizational responsibility to define a process for carrying out the
requirements engineering activity and to continuously improve it.
The pitfall has been that organizations do not define a robust process, including
procedures, standards, guidelines, formats, templates and checklists to carry out
requirements engineering activity. Sometimes a sketchy process would be defined
under the garb of allowing freedom to the people performing the activity. Sometimes
a process is defined but it is relegated to the records and not implemented. Sometimes
the process is not improved on a periodic basis. The ills plaguing the industry in terms
of the process definition and improvement are many. This has been the pitfall of many
organizations.
The best practice is to initially define a robust process appropriate for the orga-
nization and to improve it continuously using a process driven approach.
 
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