The Team Software Process (TSP)

The Team Software Process TSP guides engineering teams in developing software-intensive products. Early experience with the TSP shows that its use improves the quality and productivity of engineering teams while helping them to more precisely meet cost and schedule commitments. The TSP is designed for use with teams of 2 to 20 members, and the larger multi-team TSP process is designed for teams of up to about 150 members. While TSP versions are planned for larger projects, they are not available at the time of this writing. This report describes the TSP and how it was developed. Starting with a brief background discussion of software quality, the report provides an overview of the basic elements of teamwork. It then describes the relationships among the TSP, Personal Software Process PSP, and Capability Maturity Model CMM process improvement initiatives. The report also describes the TSP process structure, launching a TSP team, the TSP teamworking process, and the issues and methods for introducing the TSP. The report concludes with a review of TSP experience, current status, and trends.