Practitioner roles in software process improvement: an analysis using grid technique.

In this paper we present empirical findings from our study of software practitioners. We used the repertory grid technique to collect data from nearly 200 developers, project managers and senior managers in 13 companies. The aim of this study is to investigate the perceptions that different staff groups have regarding their role in SPI. Our results allow improved understanding of the SPI concerns and needs that different staff groups have. We suggest that this improved understanding will enable SPI managers to develop multi-strand SPI implementation strategies which deliver benefit to all staff groups. Delivering SPI benefit to all staff groups increases buy-in at all levels and means that SPI can be more successful in the long term. Our main findings are that all staff groups are in close agreement about their roles in SPI. However software developers often have a limited view of SPI and are unable to perceive themselves in some of the roles that successful case studies on SPI recommend. For example, developers do not see themselves assuming ownership of processes. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]