Supporting Software Processes Using Knowledge Management

In this paper we describe how software processes can be supported using knowledge management, concentrating on the creative m a n ual tasks performed by d e v elopers. The main support needed by d e v elopers is the availability of the knowledge about the development processes relevant to their task. As a result, software process modeling can be considered as a knowledge management t a s k. The paper provides an overview of the knowledge needed by developers. It then reviews various approaches to knowledge representation including artiicial intelligence, structured plain text, and software process modeling approaches, to identify representation schemes suitable for software processes. Finally, the paper looks at the management aspects of software process knowledge.