Prioritizing process change requests (PCRs) in software process improvement

TLDR: It is shown how pure priorities provided by the use of group AHP can be augmented by structuring the elements that were prioritized on the basis of an understating of the linkages between the process change requests.

Abstract: We present a prioritization scheme (based on the analytic hierarchy process (AHP)) to obtain individual and aggregate ranks of process improvement ideas as a part of software process improvement in an organization. This is a problem that organizations entering or operating in high maturity (CMM and CMMI levels 4 and 5) tend to face. In particular, we present the application of group AHP and interpretive structural modeling (ISM) to the problem of choosing process change requests (PCRs) in a software process improvement (SPI) program at IBM Global Services. [We are grateful to the quality group at IBM Global Services for their contribution to and participation in this project.] In eliciting PCRs, it is crucial to ensure that all PCRs are addressed and evaluated in a transparent and contextually relevant manner. In order to include diverse opinions and constituencies, the group-based approach is most appropriate. However, there are numerous variants that can be applied to such situations for group decision-making. In order to implement the option chosen by IBM, we developed a Java-based system and added a spreadsheet add-on for the ISM component. Specifically, we have shown how pure priorities provided by the use of group AHP can be augmented by structuring the elements that were prioritized on the basis of an understating of the linkages between the process change requests. Specifically, we have shown how complementarities (potential for synergy) between combinations of PCRs can be identified by integrating AHP and ISM. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.