In an international development project with several hundred employees, our process experts were faced with the challenge of bringing the customer's configuration management process from capability level 0 to level 2 within just six weeks for an upcoming automotive SPICE assessment. 

To overcome these challenges, our team initiated a thorough analysis of the current process. Crucial insights were gained by interviewing experts and analysing the results of the previous Automotive SPICE assessment. In close coordination with the process experts concerned, activities were prioritised with the clear aim of achieving the greatest possible benefit.

An action plan was developed that not only met the requirements of the standard, but also took into account the company's internal management interests. The implementation of these measures included the establishment of a comprehensive configuration management strategy, the creation of a configuration status across several software components, the definition and planning of rule activities and the revision of the role of the configuration manager. The introduction of reporting structures within the project was also driven forward.

Proper documentation of all measures in the process management software ensured transparency and traceability.   

The measures taken had an immediate effect and the team successfully achieved SPICE Level 1, fulfilling all base practices and laying a solid foundation for future developments. The leap to SPICE Level 2 still required proof that the implemented measures would be effective in the long term.   

The role of configuration manager was handed over to an internal project employee at the end of the assignment, who successfully demonstrated the long-term effectiveness of the measures taken in a reassessment shortly afterwards six months later.   

This case study illustrates not only the team's ability to operate successfully under challenging conditions, but also the effectiveness of a systematic and coordinated approach to process optimisation in complex global software development projects. 

Felix Werner, the Quality, Processes & Project Manager, is proud of the successfully completed project and explains: ‘In tricky situations, we can rely on Soluware's expertise. They always keep an eye on the requirements of the standards and always find pragmatic and economically viable solutions to fulfil them.’