Abstract
Software development is an experimental discipline, i.e. somewhat unpredictable. This suggests that software processes improvement should be based on the continuous iteration of characterization, goal setting, selection of improved technology, monitoring and analysis of its effects. This paper describes experiences from the empirical studies in two large SPI programmes in Norway. Five main lessons were learned: 1) It is a challenge for the industrial partners to invest enough resources in SPI activities. 2) The research partners must learn to know the companies, and 3) they must work as a multicompetent and coherent unit towards them. 4) Any SPI initiative must show visible, short-term payoff. 5) Establishing a solid baseline from which to improve is unrealistic. Based on these lessons, a set of operational recommendations for other researchers in the area are proposed. Also published in Flavio Oquendo (Ed.), 9th Int'l. Workshop on Software Process Technology, Helsinki, Finland, ISBN 3-540-40764-2