Applying the Value/Petri process to ERP software development in China

Abstract

Commercial organizations increasingly need software processes sensitive to business value, quick to apply, and capable of early analysis for subprocess consistency and compatibility. This paper presents experience in applying a lightweight synthesis of a Value-Based Software Quality Achievement (VBSQA) process and an Object-Petri-Net-based process model (called VBSQA-OPN) to achieve a manager-satisfactory process for software quality achievement in an on-going ERP software project in China. The results confirmed that 1) the application of value-based approaches was inherently better than value-neutral approaches adopted by most ERP software projects; 2) the VBSQA-OPN model provided project managers with a synchronization and stabilization framework for process activities, success-critical stakeholders and their value propositions; 3) process visualization and simulation tools significantly increased management visibility and controllability for the success of software project.