A software project is implemented through the correct definition and management of processes. In order to be able to talk about a successful software development process, each stage of the processes should be planned in detail and the processes should be managed in a healthy way.
In general, the basic processes in software projects are: analyzing the project, designing, coding and testing software. In the first stage, the main modules needed by the project should be analyzed and the aims and objectives of the project should be put forward. The user's benefits of the project should be assessed. Minor or ineffective requests that will take time in the project should be left to the next phase. The software language, software architecture and server requirements to be used should be determined. Design should be based on whether the project is web-based, mobile or desktop. The required modules should be designed and analyzed for easy operation. It should be aimed to reach the desired result to the users in the shortest way. During the coding phase, a strong software architecture should be preferred and the software should be able to respond easily to the future demands. Research should be done on the best practices in order to make the modules work fast. Finally, during the last phase of software testing, it is necessary to investigate whether the user's demands are met. In the meantime, security tests should be done and the system should be closed. Stress tests should also be performed to test the durability of the system.
Information technologies are growing and developing day by day in our country and in the world. In this context, it is especially important that software processes are planable, measurable and traceable. Every organization using information technologies must have well defined project planning, risk planning, task allocation, metering, maintenance and repair and procurement processes to be successful.
All stages of software development during development or use are defined as the software development life cycle. Software requirements are constantly changing and expanding. Such a cycle is inevitable. In general, the steps of this cycle are as follows:
- Planning. At this stage, needs are identified, feasibility studies are carried out and a work plan is prepared.
- Analysis. At this stage, system needs and functions are extracted in detail.
- Design. At this stage, the basic structure of the software works that will respond to the demands of the user is revealed.
- I perform. At this stage, coding, testing and installation work is done.
- Maintenance. At this stage, errors that occur after the delivery of the software are eliminated and new requests are added.
What is SPICE Standard?
SPICE is a definition of the English International Standard for Software Process Assessment. Software refers to the international standard for evaluating the process.
The International Standards Organization (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) came together in 1995 in order to improve processes in software projects and improve the quality of software. They have introduced the SPICE standard. This standard provides a comprehensive framework for software process evaluation. The levels that measure software process capability within the standard structure are: incomplete (level), level made, level managed, set level, predictable (measured) level and continuously improving level.
For the first time in our country, in 2010, a technology company applied to the Turkish Standards Institute and requested SPICE evaluation, which means improving software processes and determining their capabilities. Turkish Standards Institute made this assessment and gave the company SPICE Certificate. This study is an important step in terms of the importance and maturation of the concept of software quality in our country.
Today, SPICE assessment and certification studies are carried out in nearly fifty countries around the world. The SPICE standard is most common in European countries, Japan, Korea, Australia and Brazil. Over time, the scope of the SPICE standard expanded and began to be applied not only in the software industry but also in automotive, aerospace, defense, medical products, service management and similar industries.
In short, the SPICE standard aims to improve software processes and ensure the quality of the software. The objective of the SPICE standard is to provide common criteria between different software process evaluation models and methods. In this way, the results of the certification studies and assessments have gained a common language. The reference model of the standard describes at a high level the main objectives that are essential for good software engineering. In this way, the software development, business and software support qualification that can be applied to all software companies who want to create. The SPICE standard does not seek a specific organizational structure, management approach, software technology, development methodology, or software lifecycle model. The architecture of this reference model is suitable for continuous improvement and development of software process management.
What is ISO 15504 Software Process Evaluation System?
It is experiencing today's age of technology. Today, the rapid development of technology and the increase in capital, number of firms, experience and labor force are important factors in increasing the competitiveness of our country. In order to make this rapid growth more sustainable and permanent, planning processes, measurability and traceability features gain importance in software processes. In order for companies to achieve their goals, processes such as project planning, risk planning, scaling, role sharing, procurement, maintenance and repair and their sub-processes need to be well defined.
SPICE TS ISO / IEC 15504 The Software Process Assessment System standard is an international standard designed to improve software processes and to determine the ability levels and maturity levels of processes.
The ISO 15504 standard, an infrastructure standard for the evaluation of software processes, is used to:
- To improve the methods that companies have and apply as of today
- Evaluate the company according to specific needs
- Evaluate that the supplier complies with the requirements of a certain contract
The ISO 15504 standard, or the SPICE standard, provides a model to ensure that these assessments are consistent and sufficient and reproducible. This model also defines the criteria that the assessors must meet. Therefore, the need for external auditing of companies applying this standard is eliminated.
What are the benefits of the ISO 15504 Standard (SPICE Standard)?
Designing the software project, designing the project, performing software and testing, performing quality assurance tests and system stress tests are the sub-processes of the development activities. The evaluation of these processes determines the need for process improvement and process capability. Process evaluation studies are the activities that determine what the target of the company is, where the target is achieved and whether progress is made towards the target.
Process evaluation studies aim to:
- Understand the status of existing processes to improve the firm's processes
- To understand whether the company's existing processes meet a certain standard
The benefits of obtaining ISO 15504 Certificate or SPICE Certificate are as follows:
- It proves that the firm has a systematic functioning in terms of assessing software quality, identifying and improving its capabilities.
- It proves that there is a structure in the company that allows to measure the improvement of software quality.
- It proves that the culture of continuous improvement is established in the firm and that the necessary steps are taken to maintain it.
- It proves that the processes of the company that meet the business objectives in the main field of activity are designed with an engineering approach.
- It proves that the company makes the best use of its resources.
In addition, the SPICE standard can be used for companies of various sizes and for all types of applications. It also allows for a more concrete comparison between firms.
our organization TÜRCERT Technical Control and Certification Inc., ISO 15504 Software Process Assessment System (SPICE) certification studies, national and international accreditation organizations are based on the authorization.