PRO2PI-WORK4E Method for teaching software process improvement

Methods to guide introduction to Software Process Improvement (SPI) courses to potentiate “learning SPI by doing SPI” and their systematic evaluations are relevant to both practice and research. An evaluation model for an educational method to teach SPI was developed. This model is based on a model for the evaluation of educational games. The developed model is composed of model design; evaluation process, objective and questionnaire; documentation model, data compilation and analysis model and spreadsheet; and example of use. The model was used to evaluate a course. Results of this evaluation provide initial validation of this model and also indicate that the evaluated method is effective in potentiate “learning SPI by doing SPI”.

A method has been defined and used to guide teaching and learning on Software Process Improvement (SPI) courses. This method is a customization for education of a method for initiating a process improvement cycle in an organization. This method had been used in twenty-three SPI courses. During the classes, each student learns basic concepts of Software Process Improvement and selected reference models, related these concepts and models with his or her actual work environment and work processes, and constructs a proposal for a process improvement.