Supporting Software Process Improvement in Very Small Entities through a Template-based Guide

When a VSE decides to implement a software process model, the first step is to choose a reference model that is appropriate to its working environment and possibilities, which must then be adjusted to its specific needs. We believe that it would be simpler to adapt the reference model to the needs of the VSE through the use of templates, which would permit the correct integration of the activities proposed in the model and of those that the company has already been carrying out, thus narrowing the gap between the chosen model and its adoption. This paper presents a template-based guide as an alternative through which to implement a process reference model. The templates are developed to capture and concentrate the results of the activities stated in the reference model, thus creating standardized products that meet the appropriate requirements needed to increase the companies' maturity and capability. In accordance with the activities recommended in the COMPETISOFT reference model, we propose templates as an alternative means of generating a product associated with each activity. The templates are made up of individual items - atomic template-units - each of which is supported by the Unified Process and PMBoK methodologies. Our intention is to incorporate the processes into the VSEs, with the support of templates that are manageable, easy and understandable, taking into account the inherent limitations of small businesses.