An interactive software management simulator based on the CMMI framework

TLDR: A simulator concept is presented that lets its user act in the role of a software-producing organization's top-level manager and is used by all stakeholders involved in software development to better understand the various aspects of software engineering, their interdependencies, and the resulting complex dynamics of the software- producing organization's operations.

Abstract: A software-producing organization is a complex system. An interactive simulation that allows playful exploration and experimenting can enhance the understanding of such complex systems. Therefore, a simulator concept is presented that lets its user act in the role of a software-producing organization's top-level manager. In this role, business measures must be monitored and investment decisions need to be made. The model is developed as a feasibility investigation with the premise of maximal abstraction, using concepts of the Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI) and balanced scorecards: 15 process areas deduced from CMMI serve as states and investment fields and 27 business performance indicators form the outputs. Simulations of different scenarios illustrate that the model is capable of reflecting underlying strategies for advancing or maintaining an organization's processes. Moreover, the iterative and interactive investment approach and the graphical and historical result presentation can give valuable insight into complex process dependencies. Therefore, the simulator can serve as a tool to playfully enhance the appreciation of software engineering practices. It can be used by all stakeholders involved in software development to better understand the various aspects of software engineering, their interdependencies, and the resulting complex dynamics of the software-producing organization's operations. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.