Definition of a COTS software component acquisition process framework: the case of a telecommunications company

Various reference models have been presented for purchasing software products and information processing systems. Moreover, such capability maturity models as SA-CMM, SPICE and BOOTSTRAP can be used to assess the maturity of software acquisition. However, these models do not specifically aim at supporting the acquisition of commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) software components. They are more intended for end-users to help making investments in software packages. Yet, the models can be used as a starting point to define a COTS software component acquisition (CSCA) process framework. This paper discusses experiences from an industriacase study, where requirements for a CSCA process were gathered, and a process framework developed for a telecommunication company based on the requirements. The existing reference and capability models for software acquisition were used to launch the work but the process framework was defined based mostly on the particular needs of the company, taking the key characteristics of COTS software components into account.