Overview
ISO/IEC TS 33061:2021 defines a process assessment model specifically for software life cycle processes. It is a Technical Specification intended to be used for conformant process assessments in accordance with ISO/IEC 33002 and is conformant with the model requirements of ISO/IEC 33004. The model is based on the process reference model in ISO/IEC/IEEE 12207 and replaces ISO/IEC 15504-5:2012 with updated processes, outputs and assessment indicators.
Key topics
- Two-dimensional assessment model
- Process dimension: a structured set of software life cycle processes grouped by purpose (Agreement, Organizational project-enabling, Technical management, Technical).
- Quality dimension: process quality characteristics and attributes defined by a process measurement framework.
- Assessment indicators
- Process performance indicators (addressing purpose and outcomes of each process).
- Process quality indicators (demonstrating achievement of process attributes).
- Indicators are used to collect objective evidence to support assessor judgements; they are selectable and can be augmented for context-specific assessments.
- Comprehensive process coverage
- Includes processes such as Acquisition, Supply, Life cycle model management, Infrastructure, Portfolio, Human resources, Quality management, Knowledge management, Project planning, Risk and Configuration management, Measurement, Quality assurance, Business/mission analysis, Requirements, Architecture, Design, Implementation, Integration, Verification, Validation, Transition, Operation, Maintenance, Disposal, and more.
- Conformance and measurement
- Conforms with ISO/IEC 33003 (process measurement frameworks) and can incorporate ISO/IEC 33020 for capability measurement. Assessment approaches and aggregation/rating methods are part of documented assessment processes.
Applications
- Process assessors and certification bodies - perform conformant assessments of software lifecycle processes.
- Software organizations and SRE/DevOps teams - benchmark process performance and identify improvement opportunities.
- Quality managers and process improvement specialists - define objective evidence, select indicators, and design improvement programs.
- Project and program managers - use indicators to monitor process outcomes and control project risk.
Practical benefits include structured assessment of process performance, alignment with international lifecycle processes (ISO/IEC/IEEE 12207), and a reusable set of indicators to support evidence-based process improvement.
Related standards
- ISO/IEC 33001 - Concepts and terminology for process assessment
- ISO/IEC 33002 - Requirements for performing assessments
- ISO/IEC 33003 - Requirements for process measurement frameworks
- ISO/IEC 33004 - Requirements for process assessment models
- ISO/IEC 33020 - Process capability measurement framework (optional)
- ISO/IEC/IEEE 12207 - Software life cycle processes
Keywords: ISO/IEC TS 33061:2021, process assessment model, software life cycle processes, assessment indicators, ISO/IEC 33004, ISO/IEC/IEEE 12207.