Many
software development companies encounter barriers to successful
SPI. Many hold the view that SPI is too expensive and difficult
to be cost effective for all but very large companies. They
believe that the internationally recognised standards are
too big and complex for their organisations and could not
possibly be successfully implemented. Even for those who do
recognise that their software processes are not meeting their
business needs as they should, they often do not know how
to improve them. They lack the in-house skills and experience
to determine and implement an appropriate plan. They believe
that they cannot afford the management attention, staff time
or money, to be trained or to find a suitable external help.
As a result, at best any attempt at SPI is delayed, and at
worst no action is taken.
REACH
is a training and mentoring programme specifically designed
to help such organisations who want to improve their software
development processes. Participating organisations meet on
a regular basis to receive training and to share experiences
and to help keep up the momentum for process improvement.
The
programme is based on the CMMI® but would be suitable
for an organisation wishing to improve their software development
approach regardless of which framework is used. It is relevant
to both in-house IT departments and to those developing embedded
software and software houses.
The programme is based on group workshops, delivered by experienced
trainers, supported by on-site visits made by individually
assigned consultants who act as Mentors. The programme starts
with a mini assessment of each organisation’s current
practices against the requirements of the CMMI Model. The
results of the assessment provide a basis for choosing and
planning the most beneficial improvements. Each participating
organisation will be expected to choose one or more process
areas to concentrate their improvement efforts on and to apply
the principles learned during the workshop sessions to a suitable
project.
CMMI®
is registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
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