12.4 Person Responsible for Process Management

The person responsible for process management typically works in an organizational unit that runs across ordinary project organization in a company, such as a department for methods and tools or a quality assurance department. This person ensures that the processes used in projects and other organizational units meet the company's needs and satisfy its demands effectively. Parts of these processes are configuration management processes. This person also places the company's processes (products produced under his or her responsibility) under configuration management.

The person responsible for process management has contact with many people who may have contradictory requirements for processes. Therefore, this person should have solid knowledge about

• The culture, values, and objectives of the company

• Software development in general, and specifically in relation to the company

• Principles of configuration management in general and as it's performed in the company

Implementing and improving processes in a company, not least the configuration management processes, poses special demands in terms of skills and knowledge by the person responsible. Among other things, good sales ability and cooperation are required. Process work must be carried out in close connection with the person responsible for configuration managementthe same person may even fill both roles. For the part of this role that has to do with processes for configuration management, activities may include

• Compiling a general process description for configuration management

• Compiling guidelines for the tailoring of process descriptions to the needs of individual projects

• Reviewing the tailored process descriptions for configuration management

• Defining a measurement plan for performance of configuration management in the company

• Collecting and analyzing measurements according to the measurement plan

• Adjusting process descriptions based on analysis of the measurements

• Performing pilot projects for new process descriptions

• Possibly educating other employees in configuration management

Managing Configurations of Process Management Work Products

All configuration management activities must be performed for the processes for which this person is responsible. The following are especially important:

• This person may set a good example by following the required configuration management procedures.

• The configuration control board or change control for process descriptions must provide rapid responses to event registrations.

• All users of a process should receive comprehensive information when the process description is released in a new version.

Configuration management of the process description for which this person is responsible must be considered during planning and budgeting. The holder of this role must see that necessary resources for people and infrastructure are planned and allocated.

References

More details about related subjects may be found in Chapters 5, 11Person Responsible for Configuration Management, 21 Quality System, Including Process Management, 23, and 25.