Software process improvement: a systematic mapping study on the state of the art

• DOI: 10.7717/peerj-cs.62
• Publication Date: 2016-05-23T22:21:33Z
• Authors: Marco Kuhrmann; Philipp Diebold; Jürgen Münch
• Keywords: Best practice

Software process improvement (SPI) has been around for decades: frameworks are proposed, success factors studied, and experiences have reported. However, the sheer mass of concepts, approaches, standards published over years overwhelms practitioners as well researchers. What is out there? Are there new trends emerging approaches? open issues? Still, we struggle to answer these questions about current state SPI related research. In this article, present results from an updated systematic mapping study shed light on field SPI, develop a big picture art, draw conclusions future research directions. An analysis 769 publications draws SPI-related past quarter-century. Our shows high number solution proposals, experience reports, secondary studies, but only few theories models in general. particular, standard like CMMI ISO/IEC 15,504 analyzed, enhanced, evaluated applicability practice, also critically discussed, e.g., perspective small-to-medium-sized companies, which leads specialized frameworks. New account majority contributions found (approx. 38%). Furthermore, find growing interest 16%) aid companies conducting adapting agile principles practices 10%). Beyond specific topics, show increasing into studies with purpose aggregating structuring knowledge. Finally, helps directing by identifying under-researched topics awaiting further investigation.