SPINs

Software Process Improvement Networks

What is a SPIN?
How did SPINs get started?
What are the benefits of participating in a SPIN?
What types of people typically participate in a SPIN?
How are the SPIN groups connected to the SEI?
Find a SPIN near you
How to get regular notification about the SPINs and their activities.

What is a SPIN?

A Software Process Improvement Network (SPIN) is an organization of software professionals in a given geographical area interested in software process improvement. Each regional SPIN is slightly different, based on the vision of the founders and the needs of the community. Many organizations are operating on volunteered time and resources. Other organizations have an umbrella organization or corporate sponsor which provides support. A number of SPINs charge membership/event fees.

How did SPINs get started?

A couple of people working on process improvement in the Washington D.C. area decided that they needed a practical forum for the interchange of ideas, information and mutual support. Realizing that the SEI couldn't support all the active improvement efforts, these professionals decided to create a mechanism by which Software Engineering Process Groups (SEPGs) could band together to provide mutual support and interaction not available through the SEI.

What are the benefits of participating in a SPIN?

In two words: networking and leverage. The same two factors that have kept organizations like ACM and IEEE in business all these years are driving the creation of SPINs all over the world. Because software process improvement is a new and rapidly growing area, the opportunity to interact with other professionals with the same interest is invaluable.

The leverage that SPINs provide is also important. For example, when Texas Instruments in Dallas approached local universities about offering a Masters in Software Engineering (MSE) program, the universities resisted. When the Dallas/Fort Worth SPIN approached those same universities, they got a much more positive response. Several universities in the Dallas area now either offer a MSE program or are planning to offer one in the near future.

What types of people typically participate in a SPIN?

Most SPINs have members from industry, government, academia, professional organizations, and consultants.

How are the SPIN groups connected to the SEI?

Each SPIN is completely independent. The SEI exerts no control over any of the organizations. The SEI does, however provide support in many ways. The most significant manner is which the SEI provides support is by enabling communication between SPIN founders and possible participants and among regional SPIN groups. By creating, maintaining, and distributing the SPIN Directory, the SEI is able to connect many software professionals with emerging or existing SPINs. The SEI also distributes SPIN start-up information to anyone who is interested in forming a SPIN in their area.

Find a SPIN near you

Check out SEI's information about SPINs around the world.

How to get regular notification about the SPINs and their activities.

Would you like to receive regular information about the upcoming SPIN activities around the world? This will help you stay close to the current topics being discussed at other SPINS. You may be able to get presentation materials from topics that interest you. You also might be able to gain valuable insights pertaining to your current needs while on a business trip or vacation. Just email your request to our SEI Coordinator, who will be happy to forward the SPIN information we received from SEI. This offer is limited to TCQAA members only.

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