For instructions on using this template, please see Notes to Author/Template Instructions on page Error:

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To request changes to the template, please submit an XLC Process Change Request (CR).

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

CMS eXpedited Life Cycle (XLC)

<Project Name / Acronym>

Software Process Improvement Plan
Version X.X
MM/DD/YYYY

Document Number: <documents configuration item control number>

Contract Number: <current contract number of company maintaining document>

CMS XLC

Table of Contents

Table of Contents
1. Introduction.................................................................................................................1
2. Overview......................................................................................................................1
3. Assumptions/Constraints/Risks...............................................................................1
3.1

Assumptions......................................................................................................1

3.2

Constraints.........................................................................................................1

3.3

Risks..................................................................................................................1

4. Process Review Background....................................................................................1

4.1

Process Review Methodology...........................................................................2

4.2

Process Review Findings and Recommendations............................................2

5. SPI Approach..............................................................................................................2
5.1

Goals.................................................................................................................2

5.2

Methodology......................................................................................................2

5.3

Roles and Responsibilities................................................................................2

Appendix A:

Record of Changes............................................................................3

Appendix B:

Acronyms............................................................................................4

Appendix C:

Glossary..............................................................................................5

Appendix D:

Referenced Documents.....................................................................6

Appendix E:

Approvals............................................................................................7

Appendix F:

Notes to the Author / Template Instructions...................................8

Appendix G:

XLC Template Revision History........................................................9

Appendix H:

Additional Appendices....................................................................10

List of Figures
No table of figures entries found.

Software Process Improvement Plan Version X.X

<Project Name / Acronym>

CMS XLC

Table of Contents

List of Tables
Table 1: Record of Changes..............................................................................................3
Table 2: Acronyms..............................................................................................................4
Table 3: Glossary...............................................................................................................5
Table 4: Referenced Documents.......................................................................................6
Table 5: XLC Template Revision History...........................................................................9

Software Process Improvement Plan Version X.X

<Project Name / Acronym>

CMS XLC

Introduction

1. Introduction
Instructions: Summarize the purpose of the document, the scope of activities that
resulted in its development, the intended audience for the document, and expected
evolution of the document. Also describe any security or privacy considerations
associated with use of this document.
This Software Process Improvement Plan (SPIP) describes the approach for continued software
development process improvement during the life cycle of the <Project Name (Acronym)>. The
document identifies the specific actions that will be taken to improve the software process, and
outlines the plans for implementing those actions.

2. Overview
Instructions: Provide a high-level overview of the project. Focus on the process and
deliverable aspects of the project, including contract type, major milestones, and
stakeholders. Briefly describe the purpose and context for the system, and summarize
the history of its development.

3. Assumptions/Constraints/Risks
3.1

Assumptions

Instructions: Describe any assumptions or dependencies that may have a significant

impact on the implementation of this SPIP.

3.2

Constraints

Instructions: Describe any limitations or constraints that may have a significant impact
on the implementation of this SPIP.

3.3

Risks

Instructions: Describe any risks associated with the implementation or nonimplementation of this SPIP and proposed mitigation strategies.

4. Process Review Background

Instructions: Provide a brief history of any formal appraisals, audits, or other process
reviews that have been conducted and identify any management findings or strategic
events that led up to the development of the SPIP. Provide reference to any

Software Process Improvement Plan Version X.X

<Project Name / Acronym>

CMS XLC

Introduction

documented findings reports, if applicable.

4.1

Process Review Methodology

Instructions: Describe the process review process at a high level, what processes were
evaluated, what methodologies were used.

4.2

Process Review Findings and Recommendations

Instructions: Provide the process review findings, targeted areas for improvement, any
recommendations made by the process review team. Findings may be grouped as
global findings (i.e., overall organizational opportunities for improvement,) or by process
areas (noting strengths, opportunities for improvement, and/or non-applicability).
Document SPI recommendations as they relate to the process review findings.

5. SPI Approach
Instructions: Describe the approach, which may be derived from the recommendations
of a software process assessment (i.e., Capability Maturity Model Integration CMMI
Standard CMMI Appraisal Method for Process Improvement (SCAMPISM)), that
identifies the specific actions that will be taken to improve the software process, and
outline the plans for implementing those actions. If applicable, provide reference to the
appropriate section of the corporate SDMP rather than reiterating the content here.

5.1

Goals

Instructions: Describe the SPI goals that have been established as a result of the
process review findings. For each goal, provide a cross-reference back to the finding(s)
or recommendation(s). If desired, document risks associated with implementing and
not-implementing each SPI goal. If this section is not appropriate for the initial issuance
of the SPIP, then so indicate.

5.2

Methodology

Instructions: Describe the method, process, and tools that will be used to initiate
process improvement (e.g., lessons learned), to achieve the SPI goals, and the metrics
that will be collected to measure the efficacy of the SPI goal implementation. Document
how process improvement will be monitored and controlled, and how SPI goals will be
achieved. Document the communication process to be used to provide feedback to
project stakeholders. Describe the methodology for creating and updating affected
process documents.

5.3

Roles and Responsibilities

Instructions: Identify the personnel and their responsibilities for implementing the
improvements.

Software Process Improvement Plan Version X.X

<Project Name / Acronym>

CMS XLC

Software Process Improvement Plan Version X.X

Record of Changes

<Project Name / Acronym>

CMS XLC

Record of Changes

Appendix A: Record of Changes

Instructions: Provide information on how the development and distribution of the
Software Process Improvement Plan will be controlled and tracked. Use the table below
to provide the version number, the date of the version, the author/owner of the version,
and a brief description of the reason for creating the revised version.
Table 1: Record of Changes
Version
Numbe
r

Date

Author/Owner

Software Process Improvement Plan Version X.X

Description of Change

<Project Name / Acronym>

CMS XLC

Record of Changes

Appendix B: Acronyms
Instructions: Provide a list of acronyms and associated literal translations used within
the document. List the acronyms in alphabetical order using a tabular format as
depicted below.
Table 2: Acronyms
Acronym

Literal Translation

CMMI

Capability Maturity Model Integration

CMS

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

PMP

Project Management Plan

SCAMPISM

Standard CMMI Appraisal Method for Process Improvement

SDMP

System Development Management Plan

SPI

Software Process Improvement

SPIP

Software Process Improvement Plan

Software Process Improvement Plan Version X.X

<Project Name / Acronym>

CMS XLC

Record of Changes

Appendix C: Glossary
Instructions: Provide clear and concise definitions for terms used in this document that
may be unfamiliar to readers of the document. Terms are to be listed in alphabetical
order.
Table 3: Glossary
Term

Software Process Improvement Plan Version X.X

Definition

<Project Name / Acronym>

CMS XLC

Record of Changes

Appendix D: Referenced Documents

Instructions: Summarize the relationship of this document to other relevant documents.
Provide identifying information for all documents used to arrive at and/or referenced
within this document (e.g., related and/or companion documents, prerequisite
documents, relevant technical documentation, etc.).
Table 4: Referenced Documents
Document Name

Software Process Improvement Plan Version X.X

Document Location and/or URL

Issuance
Date

<Project Name / Acronym>

CMS XLC

Record of Changes

Appendix E: Approvals
The undersigned acknowledge that they have reviewed the Software Process
Improvement Plan and agree with the information presented within this document.
Changes to this Software Process Improvement Plan will be coordinated with, and
approved by, the undersigned, or their designated representatives.
Instructions: List the individuals whose signatures are desired. Examples of such
individuals are Business Owner, Project Manager (if identified), and any appropriate
stakeholders. Add additional lines for signature as necessary.

Signature:

Date:

Print Name:
Title:
Role:

Signature:

Date:

Print Name:
Title:
Role:

Signature:

Date:

Print Name:
Title:
Role:

Software Process Improvement Plan Version X.X

<Project Name / Acronym>

CMS XLC

Record of Changes

Appendix F: Notes to the Author / Template Instructions

This document is a template for creating a Software Process Improvement Plan for a
given investment or project. The final document should be delivered in an electronically
searchable format. The Software Process Improvement Plan should stand on its own
with all elements explained and acronyms spelled out for reader/reviewers, including
reviewers outside CMS who may not be familiar with CMS projects and investments.
This template includes instructions, boilerplate text, and fields. The developer should
note that:

Each section provides instructions or describes the intent, assumptions, and

context for content included in that section. Instructional text appears in blue
italicized font throughout this template.

Instructional text in each section should be replaced with information specific to

the particular investment.

Some text and tables are provided as boilerplate examples of wording and
formats that may be used or modified as appropriate.

When using this template, follow these steps:

1. Table captions and descriptions are to be placed centered, above the table.
2. Modify any boilerplate text, as appropriate, to your specific investment.
3. Do not delete any headings. If the heading is not applicable to the
investment, enter Not Applicable under the heading.
4. All documents must be compliant with Section 508 requirements.
5. Figure captions and descriptions are to be placed centered, below the figure.
All figures must have an associated tag providing appropriate alternative text
for Section 508 compliance.
6. Delete this Notes to the Author / Template Instructions page and all
instructions to the author before finalizing the initial draft of the document.

Software Process Improvement Plan Version X.X

<Project Name / Acronym>

CMS XLC

Record of Changes

Appendix G: XLC Template Revision History

The following table records information regarding changes made to the XLC template
over time. This table is for use by the XLC Steering Committee only. To provide
information about the controlling and tracking of this artifact, please refer to the Record
of Changes section of this document.
Table 5: XLC Template Revision History
Version
Numbe
r

Date

Author/Owner

Description of Change

1.0

11/04/200
8

ESD Deliverables
Workgroup

Baseline version.

2.0

08/14/201
4

Celia Shaunessy, XLC

Steering Committee

Changes made per CR 14-012.

Software Process Improvement Plan Version X.X

10

<Project Name / Acronym>

CMS XLC

Record of Changes

Appendix H: Additional Appendices

Instructions: Utilize additional appendices to facilitate ease of use and maintenance of
the document.

Software Process Improvement Plan Version X.X

11

<Project Name / Acronym>