Continuous Improvement of Software Process Using the Theory of Constraints
Abstract
The software development process is composed by elements that interact to produce intermediate and final products and may cause effects that influences desirably or undesirably its performance. The proposed approach for continuous software process improvement systematizes the investigation of factors that cause undesirable effects in order to identify and remove the factor that most influences undesirably the process performance. To do so, the approach applies the concepts of Thinking Processes of the Theory of Constraints. An empirical study was performed by applying the approach into a specific scenario in the industry resulting in an improvement proposal to this process. Evidence of suitability and viability were observed in this study.
Keywords:
Continuous Improvement, Software Process, Theory of Constraints
References
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Nave, D. (2002). "How to Compare Six Sigma, Lean and the Theory of Constraints." Quality Progress 35(3): 73.
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Scheinkopf, L. J. (1999). Thinking for a change: Putting the TOC thinking processes to use. Boca Raton, FL, CRC Press.
SEI (2010). CMMI® for Development (CMMI-DEV), V1.3, CMU/SEI-2010. Software Engineering Institute. Disponível em: http://www.sei.cmu.edu/.
Silva Filho, R. C. (2006). Uma Abordagem para Avaliação de Propostas de Melhoria em Processos de Software. Engenharia de Sistemas e Computação. Rio de Janeiro, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro. M.Sc.: 167.
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Campos, F. B. (2008). Avaliação e Melhoria de Ativos de Processos de Software de Instituições Implementadoras. COPPE. Rio de Janeiro, UFRJ. D. Sc.: 305.
Costa, T. M. d. (2012). Melhoria Contínua de Processo de Software Utilizando a Teoria das Restrições. Programa de Engenharia de Sistemas e Computação. Rio de Janeiro, UFRJ. M.Sc.
Davies, J., V. Mabin, et al. (2005). "The theory of constraints: a methodology apart?--a comparison with selected OR/MS methodologies." Omega 33(6): 506-524.
Davies, J., V. Mabin, et al. (2004). The theory of constraints and systems dynamics: A suitable case for multimethodology.
Ehie, I. and C. Sheu (2005). "Integrating six sigma and theory of constraints for continuous improvement: a case study." Journal of Manufacturing Technology Management 16(5): 542-553.
Florac, W. and A. Carleton (1999). Measuring the software process: statistical process control for software process improvement, Addison-Wesley Longman Publishing Co., Inc. Boston, MA, USA.
Goldratt, E. M. (1990). What Is This Thing Called the Theory of Constraints and How Should It Be Implemented? Croton-on-Hudson, NY, North River Press.
Gupta, M. C. and L. H. Boyd (2008). "Theory of constraints: a theory for operations management." International Journal of Operations & Production Management 28(10): 991-1012.
Hong, G. Y. and T. N. Goh (2003). "Six Sigma in software quality." TQM Magazine 15(6): 364-373.
ISO/IEC (2003). ISO/IEC 15504: Information Technology - Software Process Assessment, The International Organization for the Standardization and the International Electrotechnical Commission. 15504.
ISO/IEC (2008). ISO/IEC 12207: System and Software Engineering - Software Life Cycle Processes, The International Organization for the Standardization and the International Electrotechnical Commission.
Lepore, D. and O. Cohen (1999). Deming and Goldratt: The Theory of Constraints and the System of Profound Knowledge. Great Barrington, MA, North River Press.
Lindvall, M. and I. Rus (2000). "Process diversity in software development." IEEE software 17(4): 14-18.
Montoni, M. (2010). Uma Investigação sobre os Fatores Críticos de Sucesso em Iniciativas de Melhoria de Processos de Software. Rio de Janeiro, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, COPPE.
Nave, D. (2002). "How to Compare Six Sigma, Lean and the Theory of Constraints." Quality Progress 35(3): 73.
Pirasteh, R. and K. Farah (2006). "Continuous Improvement Trio: Combining the theory of constraints, lean, and six sigma to form" TLS" is an innovative process improvement methodology with real-world results." Apics - The Performance Advantage 16(5): 31.
Scheinkopf, L. J. (1999). Thinking for a change: Putting the TOC thinking processes to use. Boca Raton, FL, CRC Press.
SEI (2010). CMMI® for Development (CMMI-DEV), V1.3, CMU/SEI-2010. Software Engineering Institute. Disponível em: http://www.sei.cmu.edu/.
Silva Filho, R. C. (2006). Uma Abordagem para Avaliação de Propostas de Melhoria em Processos de Software. Engenharia de Sistemas e Computação. Rio de Janeiro, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro. M.Sc.: 167.
SOFTEX (2012). MPS.BR - Melhoria de Processo do Software Brasileiro - Guia Geral. http://www.softex.br/mpsbr.
Watson, K., J. Blackstone, et al. (2007). "The evolution of a management philosophy: the theory of constraints." Journal of operations management 25(2): 387-402.
Published
2013-07-01
How to Cite
COSTA, Thiago; ROCHA, Ana Regina C.; SANTOS, Gleison.
Continuous Improvement of Software Process Using the Theory of Constraints. In: BRAZILIAN SOFTWARE QUALITY SYMPOSIUM (SBQS), 12. , 2013, Salvador.
Anais [...].
Porto Alegre: Sociedade Brasileira de Computação,
2013
.
p. 138-152.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5753/sbqs.2013.15279.
