An Experience in Process Assessment

This paper presents an experience in software process assessment that has been conducted in a mid-size Italian company. The assessment has been carried out using the CMM (Capability Maturity Model) and taking into account also the indications offered by QIP (Quality Improvement Paradigm). The paper discusses the results of the assessment and the lessons we have learned from running it. It particular, it argues that it is necessary to broaden the scope of assessment methods, and to evaluate the applicability to software processes of the experiences, methods, and techniques developed in other business domains.