Chicago Software Process Improvement Network
(C-SPIN) Meeting
http://www.c-spin.net/

AT&T Center Campus
(formerly SBC Center Campus)
AT&T Institute
Atrium & Auditorium (Room 129)
Lakewood Blvd and Eagle Way
Hoffman Estates , Illinois

(Directions and parking information)

Wednesday, April 4, 2007

Networking 6:00 – 7:00 PM – Atrium
Program 7:00 – 8:30 PM – Auditorium (Room 129)

 

Program:  Process Scenario Measurement for Process Improvement Roadmap

Presenter: Kulpreet Singh Nanda,
Software Process Consultant, Patni Computer Systems Inc.

 

Abstract

Most organizations with “mature” process experience would agree that Process Design (definition) and its implementation are key factors to obtain maximum returns from a process. Point to consider - How many times are these two domains given independent focus?

It’s important to realize how the effectiveness of these two domains influence the overall process effectiveness. Hence, to create an improvement roadmap, it’s helpful to consider and measure both of the domains independently in order to understand the complete picture. Techniques and concepts like PDCA, RCA, SQC, and tools like QFD Relative Prioritization Metrics, weighted scoring, etc. can be used for this study.

Understanding and measuring the critical process parameters to develop a successful Process Improvement Roadmap is the focus of this presentation.

About the Presenter

Kulpreet Singh Nanda works as a Software Process Consultant with Patni Computer Systems Inc. He has worked on various Quality and Process Improvement initiatives like ISO 9000, CMM, CMMI, TQM, and Six-Sigma, and has more than 8 years of experience in the field of Quality Management. He was in charge of Internal Quality Audits for Patni. 

 

Kulpreet is a Certified Software Quality Analyst by QAI , FL ; certified Six Sigma Green Belt by PATNI and certified Six Sigma Black Belt by ASQ. He holds an Engineering degree and a Post Graduation Diploma in Marketing Management. Kulpreet has successfully conducted process improvement for Patni and its clients and is currently deployed at a client site.

 

Kulpreet recently presented his work on Optimized Implementation Methodology (OIM) at the International Conference for Software Process Improvement at Florida .

Agenda

6:00 7:00 p.m.  Networking, Registration and Refreshments (free)

7:00 7:10 p.m.  Overview of C-SPIN and Introductions

7:10 8:10 p.m.  Presentation

8:10 8:30 p.m.  Question and Answer Session

Driving and Parking Directions

From I-90 Northwest Tollway exit North on Barrington Road .  Take Barrington Road to Lakewood Blvd (2nd light) and turn East (right) onto Lakewood Blvd.   Turn right into the AT&T Campus Center ’s West Employee Entrance (1 entrance past Eagle Way) and follow the signs to the West Parking Structures.

Parking is available in covered lots W2 or W3 and additional parking is available in the upper level parking lot W1.  Look for parking spaces towards the west side of the parking structures.  The Institute Building , located across the road (west of the parking structures), is approximately a 3 to 5 minute walk from the parking structure.

Map of the AT&T Campus Center (AT&T is still referred to as SBC and Ameritech on the map.).

About C-SPIN

C-SPIN is made possible through the efforts of its Steering Committee. The Steering Committee is composed of Alan Berow, Kathy Brown , Steve Coffman, Susan Davidowski , Donna Miller, and Robert Stalzer.

C-SPIN is a leadership forum for the free and open exchange of software process improvement experiences and practical ideas. We promote achieving higher levels of process maturity, software quality, and mutual respect. Companies, academic institutions, government organizations and individuals are invited.

For more information regarding this meeting, contact Kathy Brown at klbrown@mosaicinc.com.  For information about C-SPIN or the steering committee, contact Robert Stalzer at cspin@coderelay.com.

To receive future announcements electronically, send your e-mail address (include name, personal email address, company, and phone number) to Robert Stalzer at cspin@coderelay.com.

 

Chicago Software Process Improvement Network

(C-SPIN) Meeting

http://www.c-spin.net/

 

Wednesday, February 7, 2007

Informal Networking 6:00 – 7:00 PM - Atrium

Program 7:00 – 8:30 PM – Auditorium (Room 129)

 

* * * * Note New Location * * * *

AT&T Center Campus

(formerly SBC Center Campus)

AT&T Institute – Atrium & Auditorium (Room 129)

Lakewood Blvd and Eagle Way, Hoffman Estates, Illinois

 (See directions and parking information.)

 

See our future meeting dates and mark your calendars now.

 

  

Program: Enhancing SLIM To Match Company Processes

Presenter:  Charles  Mages

 

Abstract

 

SLIM (Software Lifecycle Modeling) is a suite of tools developed by QSM. The tools are used by software organizations to estimate the size of a project and to monitor the actual data and compare the plan estimates with the actual data. These are key elements for SEI CMMI level 2 in the Project Planning and Project Monitoring and Control PAs (Process Areas).

 

Charles’ presentation will discuss the usage of two parts of the SLIM tool that he customized to meet the processes of a software development organization. The first is SLIM Estimate where changes were made to the displays to give better information on the staffing and dateline estimates. The second tool is the SLIM Control. Here Charles made extensive changes to the standard tool to enhance its capability and to match the process capability of any development organization. Through customizing the displays and data gathering, the end users of the tool were better able to understand the meaning of the charts within the tool and were more willing to use the tool. Automation was also incorporated to update the data on a weekly basis. Charles will describe the type of information that was needed from the various data warehouse tools and how they fit into the SLIM Control program. Also discussed will be how SLIM Master Plan and SLIM Data Manager are used to create better prediction models.

 

About the Presenter

 

Charles has been active in the software development field throughout his professional career. A graduate from Northwestern University in Computer Science, Charles joined Control Data Corporation first as a field support analyst and then at their development headquarters in Minneapolis developing the operating system kernel and later specializing in system performance analysis and capacity planning. Also as a systems performance analyst, Charles worked for Northern Telecom in Canada on their voice mail systems. Most recently working on both project management and software release quality management activities at Motorola, Charles helped institutionalize the usage of SLIM by customizing the look and feel of SLIM to match the process gates and other Motorola process activities.

 

Charles has a Master’s Certificate in Project Management from George Washington University, a Master’s Degree in Computer Science from Northwestern University, and is trained in Six Sigma Green Belt processes.

 

Agenda

 

6:00 – 7:00 p.m. Networking and Registration (free)

7:00 – 7:10 p.m. Overview of C-SPIN and Introductions

7:10 – 8:10 p.m. Presentation

8:10 – 8:30 p.m. Question and Answer Session

Driving and Parking Directions

From I-90 Northwest Tollway exit North on Barrington Road. Take Barrington Road to Lakewood Blvd (2nd light) and turn East (right) onto Lakewood Blvd. Turn right into the AT&T Campus Center’s West Employee Entrance (one entrance past Eagle Way) and follow the signs to the West Parking Structures.

Parking is available in covered lots W2 or W3 and additional parking is available in the upper level parking lot W1. Look for parking spaces towards the west side of the parking structures. The Institute Building, located across the road (west of the parking structures), is approximately a 3 to 5-minute walk from the parking structure.

 

View map of the AT&T Campus Center. (AT&T is still referred to as SBC and Ameritech on the map.)

 

Future 2007 Program Schedule

 

These future programs are currently planned to be held at the AT&T Institute Auditorium, Lakewood Blvd and Eagle Way, in Hoffman Estates. Be sure to check back here, at the C-SPIN website (http://www.c-spin.net/), to confirm details.

 

Wednesday, March 7, 2007, 5:00 – 8:00 PM  

Joint Program with CQAA (Chicago Quality Assurance Association)

For March only: Note special earlier time.  Also you will need to PRE-register!!  Details available on February 7.

5:00 – 6:15 PM   Informal Networking & Refreshments

6:15 – 8:00 PM   Announcements & Program including Q&A

            Location:  AT&T Institute – Atrium & Auditorium

            Topic:  "What IT Departments Need to Do About Web 2.0 in 2007 to Avoid Being Irrevocably Left Behind"

Presenter:  Ed Yourdon

 

           Planned Future Program Dates    Program Topics are to be determined.

           

Wednesday, April 4, 2007, 6:00 – 8:30 PM       

Wednesday, May 2, 2007, 6:00 – 8:30 PM        

Wednesday, June 6, 2007, 6:00 – 8:30 PM

           

Wednesday, September 5, 2007, 6:00 – 8:30 PM         

Wednesday, October 3, 2007, 6:00 – 8:30 PM  

Wednesday, November 7, 2007, 6:00 – 8:30 PM          

 

About C-SPIN

 

C-SPIN is made possible through the efforts of its Steering Committee. The Steering Committee is composed of Alan Berow, Kathy Brown, Steve Coffman, Susan Davidowski, Karen Mermel, Donna Miller, and Robert Stalzer.

C-SPIN is a leadership forum for the free and open exchange of software process improvement experiences and practical ideas. We promote achieving higher levels of process maturity, software quality, and mutual respect. Companies, academic institutions, government organizations and individuals are invited.

For more information regarding this meeting, C-SPIN, or the steering committee, contact Karen Mermel at kmermel@yahoo.com.

To receive future announcements electronically, send your e-mail address (include name, address, company, phone) to Karen Mermel at kmermel@yahoo.com.