Introductory Team Software Process (TSPi)
The Team Software Process (TSP) is an industrial strength, modern, large-scale, integrated framework that guides development teams in producing high-quality software-intensive systems. Many leading development organizations have found the TSP effective in improving the cost, quality, and competitiveness of their work.
The TSP improves productivity while providing developers the skills and methods to manage their own work. As one TSP developer said, "I would not know how to do development work any other way." The TSP helps developers to be true processionals.
The TSPi is a scaled-down academic version of the TSP which guides graduate and advanced undergraduate students in applying the principles and practices of the TSP. For best results, students should have previously been trained in the PSP (PSP: a Self-Improvement Process for Software Engineers, Watts Humphrey, 2005). This training provides them basic understanding of the modern techniques and practices needed to participate in a TSPi project. For further information and guidance on teaching these materials, the SEI offers a PSP/TSPi Faculty Workshop.
By following the textbook (Introduction to the TSP, Watts Humphrey, 2000), students complete a one quarter or one semester development project. The methods presented in the TSPi course are:
- how to establish roles;
- how to conceive, design, and plan a project; and
- how to track and report on progress.
The TSPi course walks students through a complete development cycle, illustrating:
- how to best use the talents at hand;
- how to formulate well-defined goals;
- how to coordinate activities for maximum progress;
- how to promote effective communication; and
- how to alleviate many of the conflicts that undermine teamwork.
Team members should not have to expend valuable time and energy reinventing ways to organize and run their teams. By following a proven process, teams can more quickly focus on the successfully completing their projects. To guide a team course in applying these methods, the book Introduction to the Team Software Process provides two project exercises with prescribed development goals and team roles. The scripts, forms, tool support, and instructor's guide needed for this course can be obtained here.
If you are interested in learning more about the TSP, send email to SEI Customer Relations at customer-relations@sei.cmu.edu.
For More Information
For more information about TSP, send email to tsp@sei.cmu.edu.
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