Software Process Improvement Initiative

Charter of the Management Steering Group (MSG)
for Software Engineering Improvements
Purpose

This Charter establishes the Management Steering Group (MSG) for the NASA Langley Research Center (LaRC) Software Process Improvement (SPI) initiative improvement activities.

The purpose of the MSG is (a) to facilitate coordination and dissemination of, and responses to, Agency Chief Engineer related activities, and (b) to promote cooperation, cross-functional communications, and improvements among all Langley organizations involved in engineering activities. The MSG works with the Software Engineering Process Group (SEPG) to document and obtain LaRC senior management approval of the Center Plan for LaRC Software Process Improvement and to facilitate the achievement of the Plan's goals and activities. The MSG sets the direction and priorities for the SPI initiative and also applies improvement activities to the existing management processes.

The MSG will also serve to resolve issues that arise during improvement activities that cannot be handled by the SEPG. The MSG removes barriers to improvements and creates a recognition and reward structure to recognize the efforts of the people involved in accomplishing process improvement.

Scope

The MSG is made up of LaRC senior managers (or their designees) whose organizations are involved in engineering management, development, maintenance, or assurance. (See LAPD 1150.2 for membership list.) These managers work together to address the process improvement interests of the entire Center. The MSG will exist for the duration of the improvement activities.

Mission

Support the operation of the SEPG and the execution of the approved Center Plan for LaRC Software Process Improvement.

Management Steering Group Responsibilities

Review and approve Center Plan for Software Process Improvement and significant changes to the Plan, and advocate Center Director approval
Ensure alignment of improvement activities with LaRC mission and goals
Provide advocacy, pro-active commitment, and visible management support
Allocate resources, which includes obtaining resources for the SEPG
Review SEPG recommendations and support the implementation of approved recommendations
Monitor the progress of the SPI initiative
Determine measurements to evaluate progress
Provide guidance and direction to the SEPG
Conduct periodic meetings with the SEPG to review the SPI initiative and discuss concerns
Promote cooperation and cross-functional communications
Obtain and sustain LaRC support for improvement activities
Assist SEPG in risk mitigation for improvement activities
Identify and solicit applicable organizations for adoption of results from successful pilots, and approve support and resources for those adoption activities
Review SEPG status
Address problems that are beyond the ability of the SEPG to affect

Management Steering Group (MSG) Chair Responsibilities

Leads MSG
Schedules and chairs MSG meetings
Tracks MSG action items
Solicits support and active participation in improvement activities

MSG Secretary Responsibilities

Record MSG meeting minutes and action items
Assure minutes and action items from each meeting are provided to the MSG

Conduct of Operations

The MSG meetings are held on an as-needed basis.
The SEPG leader is the facilitator for the MSG meetings.
The meetings are mandatory for all MSG members. Designees must be sent if an MSG member is unable to attend.
Meetings will have an agenda distributed at least three days prior to the meeting and all previous meeting minutes and action items will be documented and distributed no later than the agenda.
Action items will be tracked to closure.

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