ISO/IEC 15504/SPICE Information technology – Process assessment

The quality or maturity of software processes can be measured. ISO/IEC 15504 has been empirically validated to demonstrate that assessment results, when the assessment is performed by a qualified assessor, are both consistent and repeatable, and are therefore reliable.

The measurement model for process capability and the requirements for process assessment are based on a two dimensional framework: a process dimension and a capability dimension. The process dimension defines a set of processes, statements of process purpose, and process outcomes against which to measure the capability of the process. The capability dimension consists of a measurement framework comprising six process capability levels and their associated process attributes and ratings are provided for as many processes as are assessed.