Spi Lab
Quality Management in Johannesburg

The Software Process Improvement Laboratory (SPI-LAB) was established in January 2001 as an independent commercial enterprise with a view to enhancing client business effectiveness using process capability measurement and improvement.

Improving enterprise effectiveness through process measurement and improvement. The SPI Laboratory short course programme focuses on the needs of individuals, teams and enterprises participating in the value chain in the field of information technology and software engineering. Individuals who benefit most from this course programme include software product line managers, project leaders, software developers, quality managers, and process specialists. At the present time there no defined requirements for the types of courses offered by the SPI-LAB. We are however, actively involved with the South Africa Quality Institute ( SAQI ) to define course offerings that may in future meet the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) approval. We are confident of the quality of our public and in-house courses. We go to considerable lengths to ensure that administratively and technically the courses are the best we can offer. If, however, the client is not entirely satisfied with what is received on these courses the course fees will be refunded. Alastair Walker is the founder and chief executive officer of the Software Process Improvement Laboratory. He lectured for 30 years in the School of Electrical and Information Engineering at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg. In 2001 he established the Software Process Improvement Laboratory (SPI-LAB) in order to focus on promoting software process improvement fulltime in local industry. He is a Fellow of the South African Institute of Electrical Engineers. He has been a member since 1993 of the international team of experts tasked with the development of the standard for software process assessment and capability determination (ISO/IEC 15504). The Software Process Improvement Laboratory (SPI-LAB) was established in January 2001 as an independent commercial enterprise with a view to enhancing client business effectiveness using process capability measurement and improvement. Short courses in software engineering processes, process management and quality management. Technically significant contributions to the development of local and international standards in software engineering and IT service management. Our fundamental goal in working with our clients is summed up in the concept of partnering, by adding value to achieve long-term, win-win relationships. To provide existing and prospective clients with a high level of confidence that the supplied products and services meet agreed requirements. We will not enter into agreements where it is not possible to achieve client satisfaction for reasons that we do not have the capacity or expertise, or for any other reason (such as inadequate specifications, unrealistic technical requirements or schedule expectations). Be good stewards of the resources (human, financial, material) we have access to and desire to return a portion back to the community through donated time, or effort. To strive to make business and technology decisions that solve today’s problems, yet hold promise of also satisfying long-term needs. Since we all have weaknesses, we will focus our energies on building up rather than tearing down. Offering services at a price that balances the client perception of fair value for money against the perception of fair reward for effort, talent and skill invested in supplying the service. Maximising the implicit value of perceived client goodwill and credibility.