Practices and Techniques for Engineering Process Capability Models

Software Process Improvement, based on a Maturity Level or a Process Capability Profile, from a Capability Maturity Model or an ISO/IEC 15504-based model, is well established in the software industry as a successful practical means for improving software intensive organizations. In consequence there is an opportunity to understand how these models have been developed and consolidate this knowledge to support the development of new models by a broader community including the industry. This article introduces practices and techniques of a Method Framework for Engineering Process Capability Models as an element of a methodology on a Process Capability Profile to drive Process Improvement. This method framework is based on previous experiences to develop different process capability models. Its current version is composed of sequential practices, customization rules, guidelines for using the framework, a repository for examples of utilization and another repository for examples of techniques. This method framework is part of a methodology. An initial validation indicates a first confidence that this method framework is a useful proposal for developing methods and processes for engineering process capability models.