Task: Monitor Capability Improvement
Assess the results of implemented capability improvements and project compliance. Continuously improve based on project performance and feedback.
Disciplines: Software Capability Improvement
Purpose

The purpose of this task is to ensure the successful adoption of enhancements to process and tools.

Relationships
RolesPrimary Performer: Additional Performers:
InputsMandatory:
  • None
Optional:
    Outputs
      Main Description

      Monitor software development projects in which you have implemented the process and tools improvements in order to assess performance and compliance. Did you achieve your established goals? Are improvements implemented effectively? Are they driving the desired business results? 

      From an organizational point of view, this means that you:

      • Evaluate project performance against established objectives.
      • Monitor the performance of the capability improvement support environment.

      Evaluate the people, the process, and the tools to understand the areas to focus on during the next phase of the process implementation effort.

      Steps
      Regularly assess results

      Measure performance, impact, and benefits of the implemented capability improvements. It is important to continuously assess the process implementation effort as follows:

      • Define measures for improvements (these will vary based on the type of improvement).
      • Establish baselines.
      • Monitor project improvement iteration by iteration.
      • Compare project performance across the organization to performance prior to deployed improvements.

      Review how projects digests the new process and interview project members to get a feel for the value it adds. A good time to capture feedback on the process is during project retrospectives. Teams consider what went well, what they learned about the process, what they would do differently, and what they feel is missing.

      Consolidate process and tool improvement requests submitted through the change management process in Report: Process and Tool Improvement Log.

      Another important way to assess performance is by collecting and reviewing measurement data generated from projects. Produce performance reports and perform analysis at the organizational level against identified objectives.

      Questions to ask as you assess:

      • Are we on track with our adoption?
      • Should we adopt additional practices or technology to get more value?
      • Should we broaden adoption to other groups?
      • Have our business objectives fundamentally changed?

      Use Artifact: Process Assurance Review Record to objectively and consistently monitor adoption of the process and tool improvements.

      Monitor tailoring and process usage

      Monitor how projects use and tailor the process and tool configurations for their specific needs.

      Review any deviations from the allowable tailoring standards that occurred. Were the appropriate deviation approvals obtained?

      Document findings in Artifact: Process Assurance Review Record.

      Review and communicate results

      Review and communicate adoption and business outcomes. Compile business value and results and conduct reviews with stakeholders.

      Apply assessment findings

      Identify how to improve process assets and tool configurations based on lessons learned, measurement data, and team feedback.

      The process is continuously improved based on measurement data and project experience feedback.

      Manage and control changes

      As improvements are monitored, change requests are submitted for process definition when the process is a hindrance or where useful improvements are identified.  A group of dedicated resources will analyze the requests and schedule fixes for future releases of the process.

      A change management practice should be adopted to manage changes to process improvement projects. Typical tasks include:

      • Handle change request
      • Assess change request
      • Analyze impact
      • Approve change
      • Follow-up change orders
      • Determine corrective action
      Consolidate process and tool improvement requests submitted through the change management process along with their disposition in Report: Process and Tool Improvement Log.
      Key Considerations

      Implement a performance measurement system to support timely, informed decisions about process improvements.

      More Information