Authors:
Elia Kouzari
1
;
Vassilis C. Gerogiannis
2
;
Ioannis Stamelos
1
and
George Kakarontzas
3
Affiliations:
1
Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece
;
2
Technological Education Institute of Thessaly, Greece
;
3
Technological Educational Institute of Thessaly, Greece
Keyword(s):
Software Process Improvement, Agile Development, Critical Success Factors, Barriers, Return on Investment.
Related
Ontology
Subjects/Areas/Topics:
Agile Methodologies
;
Enterprise Information Systems
;
Information Systems Analysis and Specification
;
Project Planning, Monitoring and Control
;
Software Engineering
;
Software Project Management
Abstract:
The majority of software development companies are significantly benefitted by adopting software process
improvement (SPI). This has been extensively addressed both in terms of research and established standards.
In particular, the need for SPI in the context of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) led a lot of
researchers to focus on this area. SMEs struggle daily to survive in a very competitive environment and their
distinguishing characteristics such as the small number of employees, the flat and small organizational
structure and the flexibility that governs them make it hard for them to adopt and implement SPI. On the same
spirit, their distinguishing characteristics are also those that make SMEs an ideal environment for the adoption
of agile methodologies. The agility that governs SMEs allows flexibility in every process they apply and,
thus, promotes lightweight SPI approaches in order to remain on the battle fields of competition. In this article,
we examine the special
characteristics SMEs have and highlight critical success factors that should be taken
advantage of and barriers that could be avoided during SPI, as they are presented in the relevant literature. In
addition, we examine how critical success factors of SPI could positively affect a firm’s Return on Investment
and, consequently, help the firm survive in the long-term.
(More)