Improving software processes

The paper aims at motivating research on process-centered software engineering environments (PSEEs). A reference model for PSEEs based on functions provided by numerous research prototypes is defined. Then it is shown if and how a PSEE may help to improve software processes. This is accomplished by using the capability maturity model (CMM) developed at the Carnegie Mellon Software Engineering Institute as a reference model for process improvement. We investigate which PSEE functions address the issues of the CMM key process areas to reach their goals respectively to evolve software processes to a higher level of maturity and thus to improve them. After considering each single key process area, we conclude with some general statements on software process improvement through process-centered software engineering environments obtained from our investigations