Introduction

Processes, methodologies, and methods for developing software have become the center of much activity in recent years. Today’s practices for developing software are much more effective than those historically employed. However, these practices are complex, and they rely heavily on software tools. Neither processes nor tools are easy to adopt. Mastering them takes time over a period of years, and the measurement of improvement year by year keeps the ever-changing goal in management’s sights.

Moreover, a process improvement effort does not rest solely on the enthusiasm of a solitary developer here or there. It encompasses the entire software organization and even its clients, in-house or out. A program of this magnitude depends on ...

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