The Role of Assessment in Software Process Improvement
• SEI Report
Publisher
Software Engineering Institute
CMU/SEI Report Number
CMU/SEI-89-TR-003Abstract
This report discusses the role of assessment in improving an organization's software capabilities; specifically, the ability of the organization's projects to consistently meet cost, schedule, and quality objectives. Software process assessments are described from both a conceptual and pragmatic point of view. Underlying concepts of software process, software process management, and software process maturity are discussed. Collectively, these constitute a framework for software process assessment and improvement.
Cite This SEI Report
Kitson, D., & Humphrey, W. (1989, December 1). The Role of Assessment in Software Process Improvement. (SEI Report CMU/SEI-89-TR-003). Retrieved June 18, 2026, from https://www.sei.cmu.edu/library/the-role-of-assessment-in-software-process-improvement/.
@techreport{kitson_1989,
author={Kitson, David and Humphrey, Watts},
title={The Role of Assessment in Software Process Improvement},
month={Dec},
year={1989},
number={{CMU/SEI-89-TR-003},
institution={Software Engineering Institute, Carnegie Mellon University},
url={https://www.sei.cmu.edu/library/the-role-of-assessment-in-software-process-improvement/},
note={Accessed: 2026-Jun-18}
}
Kitson, David, and Watts Humphrey. "The Role of Assessment in Software Process Improvement." (CMU/SEI-89-TR-003). Software Engineering Institute, Carnegie Mellon University. Software Engineering Institute, December 1, 1989. https://www.sei.cmu.edu/library/the-role-of-assessment-in-software-process-improvement/.
D. Kitson, and W. Humphrey, "The Role of Assessment in Software Process Improvement," Software Engineering Institute, Carnegie Mellon University. Software Engineering Institute, SEI Report CMU/SEI-89-TR-003, 1-Dec-1989 [Online]. Available: https://www.sei.cmu.edu/library/the-role-of-assessment-in-software-process-improvement/. [Accessed: 18-Jun-2026].
Kitson, David, and Watts Humphrey. "The Role of Assessment in Software Process Improvement." (SEI Report CMU/SEI-89-TR-003). Software Engineering Institute, Carnegie Mellon University, Software Engineering Institute, 1 Dec. 1989. https://www.sei.cmu.edu/library/the-role-of-assessment-in-software-process-improvement/. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
Kitson, David; & Humphrey, Watts. The Role of Assessment in Software Process Improvement. CMU/SEI-89-TR-003. Software Engineering Institute. 1989. https://www.sei.cmu.edu/library/the-role-of-assessment-in-software-process-improvement/