KC 3.4.5 - ISO/IEC 15504: Process Assessment

SPICE stands for Software Process Improvement Capability determination. ISO/IEC 15504 provides a framework for assessment methods and does not prescribe a specific assessment method or model.

ISO/IEC TR 15504 is the international standard for Software Process Assessment. It was first published in 1998 as a Technical Report Type 2. ISO/IEC TR 15504 is re-published as ISO/IEC 15504 during 2003/2005.A standard is published as a Technical Report Type 2, when the subject is still under technical development, or where for any other reason there is the future possibility of an agreement on an International Standard. The development of ISO/IEC 15504 has taken place in parallel with empirical studies of its use performed by the SPICE project.

ISO/IEC TR 15504 consists of the following parts, under the general title Information Technology - Software Process Assessment:

Part 1: Concepts and introductory guide
Part 2: A reference model for processes and process capability
Part 3: Performing an assessment
Part 4: Guide to performing assessments
Part 5: An assessment model and indicator guidance
Part 6: Guide to competency of assessors
Part 7: Guide for use in process improvement
Part 8: Guide for use in determining supplier process capability
Part 9: Vocabulary

Please refer to the reference [2] for complete info.

Relation to Other Frameworks:

1. ISO/IEC 15504 Part 2, Reference Model for Processes and Process Capability, is strongly related to ISO/IEC 12207 standard, Information technology – Software Life-Cycle Processes.
2. ISO/IEC 15504 Part 6, Guide to Qualification of Assessors, is strongly related to ISO 10011- 2, Guidelines for Auditing Quality Systems – Part 2: Qualification Criteria for Quality Systems Auditors.
3. ISO/IEC 15504 is intended to be harmonious with ISO 9000.
4. SE-CMM used the two-axis architecture of the ISO/IEC 15504 process model.

Resources:

• Official SPICE Web site
• Overview of ISO SPICE
• http://isospice.com/standard/tr15504.htm
• Hot news on SPICE model updations from TANTARA
• SPICE ISO 15504 FAQs (PDF)
• The European Software Institute (ESI) provides additional information on SPICE along with training opportunites.