Why Don't They Practice What We Preach?
• SEI Report
Publisher
Software Engineering Institute
Topic or Tag
Abstract
One of the most intractable problems in software is getting engineers to consistently use effective methods. The Software Engineering Institute has worked on this problem for a number of years and has developed effective methods for addressing it. This paper describes these methods and shows what they have accomplished with several hundred students and working engineers. After first describing the problem of changing engineers' practices, the paper discusses the logic engineers typically follow in deciding what methods to use. Next is a description of the Personal Software Process (PSP) and the Team Software Process (TSP). Finally, the implications of SEI's experiences with the PSP and TSP are described, with particular emphasis on software engineering and computer science education.
Cite This SEI Report
Humphrey, W. (2009, July 17). Why Don't They Practice What We Preach?. Retrieved October 13, 2026, from https://www.sei.cmu.edu/library/why-dont-they-practice-what-we-preach/.
@techreport{humphrey_2009,
author={Humphrey, Watts},
title={Why Don't They Practice What We Preach?},
month={Jul},
year={2009},
institution={Software Engineering Institute, Carnegie Mellon University},
url={https://www.sei.cmu.edu/library/why-dont-they-practice-what-we-preach/},
note={Accessed: 2026-Oct-13}
}
Humphrey, Watts. "Why Don't They Practice What We Preach?." Software Engineering Institute, Carnegie Mellon University. Software Engineering Institute, July 17, 2009. https://www.sei.cmu.edu/library/why-dont-they-practice-what-we-preach/.
W. Humphrey, "Why Don't They Practice What We Preach?," Software Engineering Institute, Carnegie Mellon University. Software Engineering Institute, 17-Jul-2009 [Online]. Available: https://www.sei.cmu.edu/library/why-dont-they-practice-what-we-preach/. [Accessed: 13-Oct-2026].
Humphrey, Watts. "Why Don't They Practice What We Preach?." Software Engineering Institute, Carnegie Mellon University, Software Engineering Institute, 17 Jul. 2009. https://www.sei.cmu.edu/library/why-dont-they-practice-what-we-preach/. Accessed 13 Oct. 2026.
Humphrey, Watts. Why Don't They Practice What We Preach?. Software Engineering Institute. 2009. https://www.sei.cmu.edu/library/why-dont-they-practice-what-we-preach/