Software process deviation threshold analysis by system dynamics

The need for quality improvement in software has led to emphasis on software process. But during process enactment, deviations inevitably occur and have to be managed Control limits are established and when the actual process fall outside the control limits, repairing action is taken to bring them under control. Due to lead lag, action has to be taken before deviations reach the control limits. And there has been no research to quantitatively determine the threshold. This paper proposes an innovative approach to analyse the deviation threshold problem based on system dynamics. In the paper, a process model is built and the deviation threshold is determined through simulation with project progress rate set as the goal under control and adding manpower taken as repairing action.