Browse Theses

This dissertation summarizes research done in evaluating the use of practices contained in the Capability Maturity Model within smaller software development organizations. Various organizations have attempted to examine and characterize the software development process, to improve the quality of software and realize appropriate cost benefits and other productivity gains. The Software Engineering Institute (SEI) developed a process improvement methodology called the Capability Maturity Model (CMM-SW, or simply CMM). This research answers the question: "Which CMM-based best practices are followed most commonly by smaller software development organizations?" To enhance the understanding of the survey's results, a case study of a small software development organization was undertaken. This study demonstrated that some of the development practices incorporated in lower levels of the CMM are used by smaller software development operations. The use of the CMM within smaller software development organizations should assist those companies in enhancing their methods of development on projects of any size.