scope:

This standard provides a process for creating a software life cycle process (SLCP). It is primarily directed at the process architect for a given software project. It is the function of the process architect to create the SLCP.

This methodology begins with the selection of an appropriate software life cycle model (SLCM) for use on the specific project. It continues through the creation of the software life cycle (SLC), using the selected SLCM and the Activities provided in Annex A. The methodology concludes with the augmentation of the SLC with Organizational Process Assets (OPAs) to create the SLCP.

The Activities that are provided in Annex A cover the entire life cycle of a software project, from concept exploration through the eventual retirement of the software system. This standard does not address non-software activities, such as contracting, purchasing, or hardware development. It also does not mandate the use of a specific SLCM, nor does it provide a selection of, or a tutorial on, SLCMs. This standard presumes that the process architect is already familiar with a variety of SLCMs, with the criteria for choosing among them, and with the criteria for determining the attributes and constraints of the desired end system and the development environment that affects this selection. Finally, this standard does not prescribe how to perform the software Activities in Annex A.