An Experimental Evaluation of Defect Prevention and Change Management in Software Process Optimization in the Nigerian Software Industry

摘要

Defect Prevention (DP), Technology Change Management (TCM) and Process Change Management (PCM) are key process areas in software process optimization. Defect Prevention involves analyzing defects that were encountered in the past and taking specific actions to prevent the occurrence of these types of defects in the future. Technology Change Management, on the other hand, involves identifying, selecting, and evaluating new technologies, and incorporating effective technologies into the organization. Process Change Management involves defining process improvement goals and, with senior management sponsorship, proactively and systematically identifying, evaluating, and implementing improvements to the organization’s standard software process and the projects’ defined software processes on a continuous basis. This paper dwells on the performance of DP, TCM, and PCM in the Nigerian software industry. Using survey and action research methods, a total of thirty (30) Nigerian software companies were randomly selected for study, out of which twenty six (26) (i.e. 86.67%) companies responded to the questionnaire given out. It is shown that the performance of DP, TCM and PCM is very weak in the Nigerian software industry. The areas should therefore be accorded the needed attention so as to strengthen them for optimal performance.