Re: Hey, blame the private sector!

[emery@mitre-bedford.arpa (David Emery)]

I am very concerned with the current emphasis in DoD on software
process, as opposed to software product.  Sure, a good process can
help you get a good product, but it is NOT a guarantee.  There are
contractors that I've seen with a very well defined process, who
produce crap in a very predictable way, time after time.  On the other
hand, what do you suppose the SEI CMM rating would be for Richard
Stallman, et.al. at the Free Software Foundation?

Process helps, and the government should take a contractor's process
into account both during award and during subsequent development.  But
the government also needs to keep in mind that it's buying PRODUCT,
and process is only one means to that end.  

				dave