Process and Requirements Engineering Viewpoints - Process Viewpoints

PREview-PV

Introduction

Requirements engineering processes for large systems are very complex. They involve participants from different engineering disciplines, from customers, contractors and sub-contractors. Process changes can affect some of these stakeholders in unanticipated ways. We therefore need a complete, all-round understanding of the process before proposing process improvements.

This module describes an approach to process analysis and improvement which is based on process viewpoints. Process viewpoints are a way of considering the interests of all participants in the requirements engineering process. Process viewpoints allow a more complete understanding of the requirements engineering process to be developed. They help analyse the effect of process changes. The process viewpoints approach is compatible with the ami method of process measurement and improvement.

Summary description

The PREview - PV module presents a complete description of the notion of process viewpoints as a structured approach to process analysis. It describes how these might be applied in a process improvement programme. It covers:

Process improvement
The concept of process viewpoints
Process improvement with process viewpoints
Method adaptation strategies
Costs and risks
Examples of the method
Checklists and standard forms
Frequently asked questions

Benefits and application areas

Process viewpoints for process improvement are intended for use in organisations which are ISO 9000 certified. They extend the notion of process improvement beyond the quality management concepts embodied in ISO 9000.

Process viewpoints provide a framework for establishing a process measurement programme and a basis for assessing the impact of process change on all of the stakeholders in the process. The key benefit of this approach are a better and deeper understanding of the process and a basis for assessing the impact of process change.

How to apply

PREview-PV may be applied using the standard forms and checklists supplied with the module. It may be used as part of a goal-oriented process improvement programme (e.g. using the Ami method) for any complex processes which involve multi-disciplinary participation.

More information available from:

Pete Sawyer
Computing Department
Lancaster University
Lancaster LA1 4YR
United Kingdom Phone: +44-1524-593780
FAX: +44-1524-593608
email: sawyer@comp.lancs.ac.uk

Robin Bloomfield
Adelard
3, Coborn Road
London E3 2DA
United Kingdom Phone: +44-181 983 0217
FAX: +44-181 983 1845
email: reb@adelard.co.uk

Herbert Schippers
TÜV Informationstechnik GmbH
Im Teelbruch 122
D - 45219 Essen
Germany Phone: +49 201 825 5120
FAX: +49 201 825 5131
email: H.Schippers@tuvit.cubis.de

Page last updated Thu, 18 December 19977. Please report problems to reaims-request@comp.lancs.ac.uk