Critical success factors for implementing statistical process control in the software industry

Purpose - Statistical process control (SPC) is a powerful technique for managing, monitoring, analyzing and improving the performance of a process through the use of statistical methods. The purpose of this paper is to present results of a survey on SPC in the software industry. The focus is on understanding the critical success factors (CSFs) for successful implementation of SPC in the software industry. Design/methodology/approach - In total, 12 critical success factors (CSFs) with 36 variables were identified from the literature and discussions with software quality professionals. An e-mail questionnaire was used to gather the data. Findings - The results reveal that management commitment and involvement are the most critical success factors, followed by selection of control charts. The use of SPC facilitators was found to be the least important factor in successful deployment of SPC in the software industry. Research limitations/implications - This research project was conducted with a limited number of participants, and was limited to software firms in India; cultural differences in other nations may yield different results. Practical implications - These results provide an increased understanding of how to better implement SPC in the software industry, and provide managers with improved guidelines for identifying the most important factors that will lead to success. Originality/value - Indian software companies are leading exporters to Europe and the USA. Considering the growth of the Indian software industry and increased inclination towards acquiring quality certifications and implementing quality management techniques, a better understanding of the implementation of SPC can provide companies with a stronger competitive advantage.