Lessons learned from an initiative for improving software process, quality and reliability in a semiconductor equipment company

Improving software in semiconductor manufacturing equipment was targeted by SEMATECH in the early ´90s due to numerous reports of problems, failures, complexities and growing needs. The SEMATECH SPI (Software Process Improvement) project has been working with equipment supplier companies on focused software improvement initiatives. This report describes the key accomplishments and lessons learned from the software process and quality improvement initiative that has been going on in the Applied Materials company for the last two years. Conclusions and recommendations for companies preparing to embark on such an improvement program are described, as well as the plans and challenges for Applied Materials in 1995 and beyond