IDEAL: A User's Guide for Software Process Improvement.

This document describes a software process improvement SPI program model, IDEAL, which can be used to guide development of a long-range, integrated plan for initiating and managing a SPI program. The purpose of this document is to provide process improvement managers with a generic description of a sequence of recommended steps for SPI. The model shown in Figure Intro-i on page 2 depicts five phases of a SPI initiative, which provide a continuous loop through the steps necessary for SPI. It is important to note that the length of time it takes to complete a cycle through the IDEAL model will vary from organization to organization. Organizations will find, depending on the resources they are able to commit to the SPI program, many activities that can be pursued in a parallel fashion. There will also be instances of some parts of the organization pursuing activities in one phase of the model while others are pursuing activities in a different phase. In practice the boundaries between the phases of IDEAL are not as clearly defined as shown in the model. It is also important to note that the infrastructure set up to accomplish SPI will play a significant role in the success or failure of a SPI initiative. The value that the infrastructure brings to a SPI initiative, its understanding of its roles and responsibilities, cannot be underestimated.