Configuration management Validation of a light model for small-sized software developmen companies

Abstract

The purpose of this research work is to validate a light configuration management model that recognizes the setting and the specific characteristics of small companies engaged in software development. To this end, it follows CMMI's guidelines without changing the six specific practices, but it goes from thirty-four sub-practices to seven activities. This work begins with a definition of the inputs, outputs, activities, controls, and supporting templates of the model, and goes on to present the experimental framework that provides the basis for an orderly and systematic validation. It is expected that the design and execution of the experiment will allow confirming viability and adjustment of the model to small software companies based on the results of established metrics. Validation was made possible thanks to the cooperative efforts of three small companies (two of which are international companies based in Russia) that allowed the model to be applied to six real software projects with results that show improvements of defect elimination, productivity, and earned value rates. The model proposed here opens a path for transferring best industry practices to smallsized companies. It is expected that these results will enable future implementation of the model in other settings, both on a national and iternational level.