The puzzle of process-oriented software quality management

Process-oriented software quality management has gained considerable attent ion both from academia and industry. This is mainly due to the application of the Capability Maturity) Model and the ISO 9000 Standards throughout the world. Process-oriented Software quality management (PSQM) aims at achievi ng higher quality of Software products and at reducing development costs. A dvocates of PSQM Claim that applying PSQM improves the success of Software companies. However, various examples are incompatible with this assertion. From these incompatibilities we deduce the Puzzle of process-oriented Softw are quality management. We Show that objectives and recommendations of PSQM are only adequate for companies that operate in a relatively stable enviro nment. Companies that operate in a turbulent environment and that depend an flexible processes and innovative products need different recommendations. From this we conclude that objectives and recommendations of PSQM as well as the advocates assertions need to by modified.