ESCOLA DE ENGENHARIA DA UNIVERSIDADE DO MINHO DEPARTAMENTO DE INFORMÁTICA Software Process Assessment Methods: Applying a new Methodology for its Comparison and Classification

The main goal of this study is the comparison and classification of software process assessment methods. The study is exploratory and empirical, as the methodology used. The methodology, based on numerical taxonomy, was developed by the author and is described very briefly. In the study eight methods were classified, based on 112 characters selected from an initial set of 165 discovered characters. The methodology allows the creation of a hierarchical taxonomy of methods. From the hierarchy the methods SCAMPI and Bootstrap were found to be the closest and the method SA-SI the most distant. Interpretation was done by adding an intentional representation to the extensional one. To achieve this, group profiles were developed. Results are discussed. The paper begins by justifying the study. In the end, some conclusions are provided. 1 Instituto Superior de Engenheria do Porto, [email protected]