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- Represent process in form understandable by humans.
We found that creating explicit, formal definitions of
processes
improved our understanding of the
processes
dramatically. Representation of our process definitions in
Abstraction Hierarchy and
Diagrams
also
allowed us to show graphical diagrams of the processes to others.
Perusal of the graphical notations allowed individuals to gain a
better understanding of the process details than reading the
English process descriptions. We were
surprised to find that even the textual
MVP-L notation is very readable. One MVP-L
design goal was to use the same English words in MVP-L as
process participants use in
describing their process.
- Enable communication about and agreement on software
processes.
The graphical diagrams and MVP-L code created in our study
enabled us to communicate easily with outsiders
about the processes. The third phase of our study involved group
meetings to define the key process elements. Using
diagrams
we were quickly able to come to an agreement about the
subprocesses
and products contained in the process.
- Formalize the process so people can work together more
efficiently.
Our study did not include use of the process definition by a team
carrying out the process. Therefore we cannot fully judge whether
the
definition allowed people to work together more efficiently.
However, the
and MVP-L notations did
allow a
formalization of the interactions between the various process tasks.
- Provide sufficient information to allow an individual or
team
to perform the intended process.
Our study did not include use of the process definition by a team
carrying out the process. Therefore we cannot fully judge whether
the
definitions provided sufficient information to allow the process to
be carried out. Since the APPL/A language is intended for process
execution, it allows implementation of low-level processes using
Ada code. If the process is
carried out by humans,
diagrams or MVP-L
code may
be sufficient to allow process execution.
- Form a basis for training the intended process.
Process definition using the Abstraction Hierarchy,
, and MVP-L notations
allowed rapid training of the process.
We showed our definitions
to reuse experts unfamiliar with the notations. They were quickly
able to
understand the main features of the process representations
and recommended changes to them
based on their understanding of reuse.
Next: Support Process Improvement
Up: Benefits of Process Definition
Previous: Benefits of Process Defintion