** Some new words that someday will be part of the specialist discussion **
Humans show an interesting ability. Only key parts of the past are actually remembered. We complete our perception of the past by what is happening in the present. This ability to fill in the gaps has major effects on software process improvement (SPI) organizations that are insulated from the “real” work of software development and maintenance organizations. The real work is delivering functionality to users. Organizational insulation does not provide SPI teams with the raw materials of project failures and successes that will allow process and procedures to be grounded in the real world. Hearing words like this is “too theoretical” are indications that you have missed the mark and may have developed your solutions while overly insulated. The walls raised by the insulation caused by this type of hyper-specialization can be combated. “Tours of duty” where SPI personnel are transferred into the SPI group from operational groups is one method. Embedding SPI personnel inside operational groups during implementation is another. The goal is to expose the SPI group to a diversity of thought and training AND have them bring that experience back to the team. Diversity of thought will help provide the raw materials for developing big picture solutions; a reflection of systemic thinking.
