Software Process Improvement (SPI) encompasses the analysis and modification of the processes within software development, aimed at improving key areas that contribute to the organizations' goals. The task of evaluating whether the selected improvement path meets these goals is challenging. On the basis of the results of a systematic literature review on SPI measurement and evaluation practices, we developed a framework (SPI Measurement and Evaluation Framework (SPI-MEF)) that supports the planning and implementation of SPI evaluations. SPI-MEF guides the practitioner in scoping the evaluation, determining measures, and performing the assessment. SPI-MEF does not assume a specific approach to process improvement and can be integrated in existing measurement programs, refocusing the assessment on evaluating the improvement initiative's outcome. Sixteen industry and academic experts evaluated the framework's usability and capability to support practitioners, providing additional insights that were integrated in the application guidelines of the framework.

翻译：软件过程改进(SPI)涵盖了对软件开发过程的分析与修改，旨在提升有助于实现组织目标的关键领域。评估所选改进路径是否满足这些目标是一项具有挑战性的任务。基于对SPI度量和评估实践的系统性文献综述结果，我们开发了一个支持SPI评估规划与实施的框架（SPI度量和评估框架，简称SPI-MEF）。SPI-MEF指导实践者界定评估范围、确定度量指标并执行评估。该框架不预设特定的过程改进方法，并可整合到现有的度量计划中，从而将评估重点重新聚焦于改进举措成效的评估。十六位来自产业界和学术界的专家对该框架的可用性及支持实践者的能力进行了评估，其提供的额外见解已被整合到框架的应用指南中。