Defining Software Processes

This three-and-a-half-day course introduces those tasked with performing process definition in an organization to the basic skills and knowledge required to effectively document and define processes and to design improvements. These basic skills include practice working as a team; using processes, methods, and skills to understand, model, and document current processes; analyzing process deficiencies; and specifying needed process improvements. Defining processes is a key step to achieving maturity level 2 in CMMI as well as to becoming certified for ISO 9000 and 9001. This course is appropriate for all people in an organization seeking to document their organizations' processes and in particular for members of process action teams (PAT) and/or engineering process groups (e.g., EPG, SEPG).

The course is composed of a series of hands-on learning experiences that simulate real-world situations and problems. Knowledgeable, experienced instructors observe and facilitate participant and team interaction during the exercises and provide first-hand feedback. Participants have ample opportunities to discuss how they might apply particular techniques and skills in their own organizations and to explore solutions to related problems. After attending the course, participants will have practiced and begun to develop the skills needed to work with others in their organization to effectively define their current processes and specify options for improvement.

Who should attend?

• process action team (PAT) and/or engineering process group (e.g., EPG, SEPG) members
• anyone involved in process definition in an organization

What will you learn?

This course will help participants to

• conduct a process definition project
• gather information and model processes effectively
• identify weaknesses in current processes and find/develop alternatives
• specify improvements and present them to management