Software Special Interest Group Meeting  

In this presentation, Girish Seshagiri will share a business owner's point-of-view on the combined impact of high-maturity processes and disciplined agile teams on business competitive advantage. Seshagiri describes how Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI) and Team Software Process (TSP) have helped his organization understand the leadership challenge in the knowledge economy; make the connection between agility, quality, innovation, joy in work, profits, and human values; and begin the transformation to a life of greatness. He will share data on nearly defect-free software delivery, customer satisfaction, company profitability, and strategic decision-making, and will discuss intangible results such as self-directed teams, low staff turnover, and job satisfaction.

Seshagiri will lead a discussion of software engineering’s persistent problems: Exponential rise in cybersecurity vulnerabilities due to defective software; Unacceptable cost, schedule, and quality performance of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and legacy systems modernization projects; Cost of finding and fixing software bugs (i.e. scrap and rework) as the number one cost driver in software projects; Arbitrary and unrealistic schedules leading to a culture of "deliver now, fix later";  Inability to scale software engineering methods even for medium size systems; Lack of understanding of the impact of variation in individual productivity; Absence of work place democracy and joy in work. Seshagiri suggests the way forward for high maturity practices in both the contractor and acquisition organizations. The presentation ends with Seshagiri’s challenge to the community to make seven “outrageous commitments” to begin addressing software engineering’s persistent problems including requiring/providing warranty against software defects.

Details and driving directions at: April Software SIG Announcement Flyer