Defining a Software Configuration Management Process to Improve Quality

This example shows a more powerful, data-centric scripting capability that uses two relatively simple scripting lines to accomplish the required automation: The first advances feature status while the second advances problem status. The strong CM traceability integrated with advanced query and specification constructs can significantly reduce the scripting complexity. Some third- and fourth-generation tools also have common triggers that can be enabled by the click of a button.

For example, the properties of a transition on a state-flow diagram might pop up a dialog that allows you to enable automatic triggers when the transition occur. These might include options such as:

•  [On transition of a problem to the fixed state] Send an email to the problem originator.

•  [On check in of a design document] Send an email to all the reviewers.

•  [On accepting a problem report as legitimate] log the date, time, and user
•  [On any state change] Log the date, time, and user

Such tools can understand these sorts of special cases as common occurrences that are coded into a simple interface selection. Tools make a big difference in how easily the process can be automated. The goal is for you to automate everything that reasonably can be automated and to leave items on a prioritized to-do list for things that cannot be automated (e.g., performing peer review of code).  In the end, you will have a process defined, automation whenever possible, and marching orders for things that require attention.

Building Quality into Your SCM Process
Your automated SCM process will have a lot of good things going for it, but it will also have problems, such as the following:

• The process breaks down when a key person is on vacation.

• The process needs to be modified when you comply with urgent requests.
• When you let developers request features, you may forget to run them by the customer.

The final step of process capability is to allow you to change your process dynamically so that you can respond in a timely manner to such problems as they crop up. By responding, you're improving the quality of your process. Like all changes, of course, process changes need careful review as well, but as you address these problems one by one, you really are maturing your process, resulting in a higher-quality product.

In order to build this level of maturity into your process, you need to be able to easily modify the process over time. This may involve several capabilities, including:

• The ability to add extra data or properties to describe objects (e.g., “These problems are on a gating list, preventing the release to production”). In some cases, this means adding data fields to your schema or allowing new values for existing fields. In others, it means ensuring that you can reference other objects from this object.

• Data-driven process is preferred over scripting, as it allows the process to be more clearly visible, which in turn allows changes to be less error prone and probably faster to implement

• Simplicity provided through higher-level scripting or even graphical configuration.

If you can quickly identify the cause of problems within your automated process and easily correct them, you're on your way to improving quality. This happens incrementally; a continuous improvement process.

In the End
After all is said and done, you can clearly define your process once you understand what you need to manage and you define the object flow for each object and the work flow across the entire ALM function. Advanced process tools that integrate with your CM or ALM function allow you to put your finger on the cause of each problem, thus making it much easier to improve quality.

Next-generation tools will speed your automation and improvement processes through their advanced capabilities and end-to-end integration of data and configuration tools. The benefits to your product will become obvious in short order, but the benefit in terms of team satisfaction will go beyond improved productivity, allowing team members to feel satisfied with their work.