Customer Testimonials

Inspection (Peer Review)

"Several of our Pittsburgh- and Boston-based software development groups have taken the Process Group's inspection (peer review) class, and found it to be extremely worthwhile. Lightweight, quick and easy to use, the inspection process presented in the class has helped us find defects in our software development work products, and also helped us to quickly adopt one of the topic areas for our SEI level 3 assessment."

Gina Fontanesi, Mellon Project Office, Mellon Financial Corporation, Pittsburgh, PA.

The insights and recommendations Neil provides on managing group dynamics are applicable to a variety of situations. He truly understands the reality of implementing positive change in the work environment."

"The Process Group develops and delivers real time, pragmatic learning forums that are always focused on us, the end user - really enables us to take what we learn, use it, and see results."

"The Process Group adapted very nicely to the needs of our World-Wide Software development organization at Texas Instruments, successfully understanding the different cultures and guiding us along our path to achieving CMMI Level 3. They provided effective training around the globe, and helped us identify gaps that mattered (like better estimation techniques) with solutions to address and close the gaps, as they applied to our business needs. All in all, it has been a pleasure working with the Process Group."

Geetha Ram, Senior Director, Cellular Systems Software Development, Texas Instruments, Dallas, Texas.

"Our selection of The Process Group to lead us through the CMMI appraisal process proved to be an excellent decision. Neil took us through a mini-appraisal that identified several weaknesses and he provided both realistic guidance and some tools to aid us in resolving the weaknesses. We had Neil back to train our appraisal team in the CMMI and the SCAMPI process a few months later. Despite the dry nature of the material, he received very positive evaluations from everyone participating in the training. Since Neil was heavily booked on other projects, with some trepidation we scheduled our SCAMPI Class A appraisal with Mary. Our concerns proved unfounded as Mary led us effectively and efficiently through the formal appraisal. Incredibly, what looked like a very tight schedule with multiple long days, proved to be adequate to get the job done with some time to spare and no late evening sessions required. The results from Neil's thorough mini-appraisal and continued guidance from both Mary and Neil via email between the two appraisals were very effective in helping to prepare us for a successful SCAMPI A and achievement of a maturity level 3 rating. I am looking forward to working with both Mary and Neil in future CMMI appraisals of this and other organizations within the company."

John Latimore, Senior Manager, Software Engineering, Sierra Nevada Corporation, Nevada.

"Choosing The Process Group to support our process improvement program was the best decision we made. Their professionalism and pragmatic approach to process improvement allowed us to quickly assess our weaknesses and develop a plan for moving forward. As a result, our first organization was able to achieve CMMI Level 2 in just 17 months, with the added benefit that process improvement efforts are viewed very positively in the company. Along the way, Neil and Mary provided spot-on advice and training that helped us to address risk areas early and come up with innovative solutions to our process issues."

Pete Fuenfhausen, Senior Manager, Engineering Process Improvement Program, Tellabs, Dallas, Texas.

"The Process Group has been my number one knowledge resource for applying CMMI to a 500 person IT group supporting a global manufacturing firm. Neil and Mary have provided CMMI courses tailored to our needs, and are always quick to respond with sage advice about how to apply CMMI. Without their help our SEPG and SQA group would have spent countless hours in rework fixing our poor decisions. I look forward to applying their advice as we move toward CMMI maturity level 3."

Alan Zevenbergen, SQA Manager and SEPG team member.

"The Process Group has been instrumental in the implementation and adoption of CMMI Level 3 processes at Sonalysts. They have provided engaging process training to our organization as well as useful guidance on how to tailor processes to meet our specific development needs and corporate culture."

Jodi Imms, Engineering Process Group Lead, Sonalysts, Inc., Waterford, CT.

"The Process Group was instrumental in our achieving CMM Level 3 within our cost and schedule constraints. They learned our culture and systems; then they worked with us to effectively integrate the CMM key practices, providing practical training when needed (requirements engineering and peer reviews / inspection). We learned by prioritizing and solving real problems, not by simply creating administrative procedures. Our relationship with the Process Group has been a very positive experience.

When we completed the first project using CMM level 3 practices (a complex marine machinery control and monitoring system), we were braced and ready for the usual end-of-project problems. Instead we found that integration testing went much more quickly than expected, with only minor problems and almost no revisions to the test procedure. It looks like the system will be ready early. This stuff really works."

Peter G. Weber, Engineering Manager, Electronic Design, New Orleans, Louisiana.

We launched our first external assessment using Neil as our assessor. In all of my dealings with Neil, I have found him to be very knowledgeable in the SEI CMM assessment process, as well as having practical, hands-on development expertise. His suggestions have been insightful. He holds us to a high standard, thus assuring little difficulty with subsequent Software Capability Evaluations requested by our customers. His suggestions for possible process improvements and review of new processes have proved to be invaluable. Neil has been very professional and focused on all the tasks he has undertaken for us. He has trained my internal assessment team so that they are very quick to catch potential process problems and know what changes will be necessary to comply with the CMM. He did an excellent job of presenting the assessment concepts and processes - as well as the final results of the assessment - to our upper management."

Vicki Rainey, (Ph.D.), Director of Software Development, Raytheon E-Systems, Texas.

Their willingness to share their experiences and their knowledge. Their responsiveness -- we have grown to depend upon their responding to voice mail or e-mail within 24 hours! Their generosity with follow-up support ("We're your friends for life -- whether you need us or not.") Their concern for meeting our needs and expectations, and their desire to help us succeed in implementing a culture that will support continuous process improvement.

I would highly recommend Neil and Mary to anyone who is looking for a simple, but effective, approach to processes and process improvement."

We also engaged the Process Group to assist in planning, both from a SEPG and project perspective. Their Project Planning and Management course has helped us institutionalize good planning practices, and their SEPG course was of great value in helping us understand the perspective and positioning of a Level 3 SEPG.

Neil and Mary have a very flexible, yet personal approach to consulting. They take the time to get to know the organization, the individuals within it, and are always just an e-mail away. They have been very supportive in meeting our requests for help in a quick and professional fashion, and have been very helpful in tailoring their expertise and courses to meet our needs and expectations."

We count on the Process Group to provide accurate and up-to-date guidance on software processes. Mary and Neil always provide Bell Helicopter with guidance and training fitted and paced to our current needs and abilities."

Greg Simpson (Senior Engineer) & Elaine Vaught (Director of Software Development), Bell Helicopter, Texas.

Facilitating change is challenging. Listening skills are imperative. Discerning true needs and concerns and dealing with them in an open, positive way is crucial to success. Neil has done that for Bradley Company in every class and session in which he has been involved. We'll continue to use his services."

"I just want to reiterate that I was extremely impressed with your training skills and the content of the training class. The Delphi process and risk assessment methods will drive immediate benefit into our process. I would recommend this class and your training to any of my colleagues."

"Before working with The Process Group, our company was in crisis mode. Creeping requirements, schedule slip, and errors found in the field were at an all-time high. So was the stress level of our employees. Three months after working with The Process Group, we saw significant improvement in all areas. Now, after almost a year, we are a company with fewer defects, consistently delivering a high quality product on time with high customer satisfaction. Not to mention the fact that we are actually enjoying our jobs! Thank you, Process Group!"

"Your Risk process presentation reminded me once again how a simple, well executed process can make a big difference. You and Mary are my heroes when it comes to elegant process definition!"

Not only do we have a vision of how an effective software group should work, but you also helped us develop action items to get from the chaos we are in to a whole new level. We have had other trainers who basically just came and read the book to us. You made the Software Project Planning practices come alive and be meaningful to our environment. We can never thank you enough. I recommend you and The Process Group in the highest manner.

One of our Senior Engineers, with eight years of experience in software development who goes to many conferences every year, said the following: This is the absolutely best training session I have ever participated in. This is what we needed five years ago when we began this huge re-architecting project. "