One important form of technology receptor group in the e-Zest is the software engineering process group (SEPG), which focuses on software process improvement. Working with managers and en-gineers from software development organizations, the process group tracks, screens, in-stalls, and evaluates new methods and technology that can improve the software engineering capability of an organization.

e-Zest's The software engineering process group is the focal point for process improvement. Composed of line practitioners, who have varied skills, the group is at the center of the collaborative effort of everyone in the organization who is involved with software engineering process improvement.

The Process Improvement Cycle

Software process improvement is a continuous cycle. The following steps are adapted by e-Zest from the well-knownShewart cycle

1. Set expectations.
2. Assess the current practice.
3. Analyze the variance between expectation and practice.
4. Propose changes that will reduce the variance and thereby improve the process.
5. Plan the integration of the improvements into the existing process and update the process definition. If a formal process definition does not exist, it should be documented now.
6. Implement the improvements.
7. Perform the process as it is now defined.
8. Start over.