There is growing attention paid to the increasing in the global carbon dioxide production and to the subsequent issue of sustainability in ICT-related projects. But very few information and time has been spent right now for determining a set of related measures from sustainable processes. Moving from a new set of three sustainable processes in the SPICE (ISO/IEC 15504) format, this presentation proposes a related approach for creating a sustainability measurement plan, with the aim to integrate further information elements for improving the decision-making process

1. °
22° International Workshop on Software
Measurement (IWSM) and 7th International
Conference on Software Process and Product
Measurement (MENSURA)
Assisi (Italy) - October 17-19, 2012
Measuring Software Sustainability from a Process-Centric Perspective
Giuseppe Lami
Luigi Buglione
www.eng.it

2. Sw Sustainability Goals of the presentation
G1. Introduce the ‘sustainability’ issue in ICT-related
projects
G2. Propose a set of 3 sustainable processes in the SPICE
(ISO/IEC 15504) format
G3. Show some proposals for measuring sustainability
from a BSC (Balanced Scorecard) viewpoint, improving
current existing ISO standards (e.g. ISO/IEC 25010:2011)
2 IWSM-MENSURA 2012 – October 17-19, 2012 www.eng.it
© 2012 G.Lami, L.Buglione

3. ISTI-CNR At a glance
www.isti.cnr.it
www.isti.cnr.it
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© 2012 G.Lami, L.Buglione

4. Engineering At a glance
www.eng.it
www.eng.it
4 IWSM-MENSURA 2012 – October 17-19, 2012 www.eng.it
© 2012 G.Lami, L.Buglione

5. Sw Sustainability Agenda
• Introduction
– Sustainability: definition & concept
– Some basic questions
• Related studies
– IT Sustainability - existing approaches
– Existing MCMs (Maturity & Capability Models)
– A Step Beyond
• Sustainability Processes: the SUS.x process group
– Process vs Life Cycle
– The SUS.x Processes
• Measuring Sustainability
– Sustainability objectives
– Decompositional approach
– Derivation of sustainability indicators
• Conclusions & Future Works
• Q& A
5 IWSM-MENSURA 2012 – October 17-19, 2012 www.eng.it
© 2012 G.Lami, L.Buglione

6. Introduction Sustainability – Definition & Concept
Sustainability (originating from the Latin
word sustenere that means: ‘to hold up’)
shows the capability of enduring over time.
In the last years sustainability is more and
more intended as the responsible use of
the heart resources in order to “meet the
needs of the present without compromising
the ability of future generations to meet
their own needs”
Rome, Teatro di Marcello (I century BC)
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© 2012 G.Lami, L.Buglione

7. Introduction Some basic questions...
Which is the definition of ‘sustainable’ concretely applied in
organizations?
How much are our projects ‘sustainable’?
Which best practices are yet in place? Which standards?
Which impact on ICT products and processes (if any)?
7 IWSM-MENSURA 2012 – October 17-19, 2012 www.eng.it
© 2012 G.Lami, L.Buglione

8. Sw Sustainability Agenda
• Introduction
– Sustainability: definition & concept
– Some basic questions
• Related studies
– IT Sustainability - existing approaches
– Existing MCMs (Maturity & Capability Models)
– A Step Beyond
• Sustainability Processes: the SUS.x process group
– Process vs Life Cycle
– The SUS.x Processes
• Measuring Sustainability
– Sustainability objectives
– Decompositional approach
– Derivation of sustainability indicators
• Conclusions & Future Works
• Q& A
8 IWSM-MENSURA 2012 – October 17-19, 2012 www.eng.it
© 2012 G.Lami, L.Buglione

9. Related Studies IT Sustainability: Existing Approaches (1)
Development of Green Systems
Systems designed adopting technical solutions able to
minimize the power consumption during their usage
(efficiency).
Systems built using materials with a reduced environment
impact at
production and disposal time.
9 IWSM-MENSURA 2012 – October 17-19, 2012 www.eng.it
© 2012 G.Lami, L.Buglione

10. Related Studies IT Sustainability: Existing Approaches (2)
Design of Green software products
Software doesn’t consume energy, but it deeply affects
the consumption of hardware equipment.
Software products adopting efficient algorithms are able
to reduce both the direct carbon footprint of software
(e.g. power consumption due to the CPU cycles) and the
indirect effects on sustainability (i.e. the effects depending
on the system where the software is executed and on the
domain where the system is used).
Back to the old programming parsimony
10 IWSM-MENSURA 2012 – October 17-19, 2012 www.eng.it
© 2012 G.Lami, L.Buglione

11. Related Studies IT Sustainability: Existing Approaches (3)
Green software development
Focus on the whole software life cycle, including the
development phase, that shall follow principles and adopt
techniques aiming at achieving pre-defined sustainability
objectives.
This is strictly related with the concept of green software
engineering.
Agility may be an answer
11 IWSM-MENSURA 2012 – October 17-19, 2012 www.eng.it
© 2012 G.Lami, L.Buglione

12. Related Studies Existing MCMs (Maturity & Capability Models)
Energy Management Maturity Model (EM3)
PDCA cycle customizations ISO 50001:2011
12 IWSM-MENSURA 2012 – October 17-19, 2012 www.eng.it
© 2012 G.Lami, L.Buglione

13. Related Studies A Step Beyond...
A wider process-based perspective to software sustainability BSC
Don’t forget People,
Don’t forget People,
the real ‘wheel’ of
the real ‘wheel’ of
any organization...
any organization...
13 IWSM-MENSURA 2012 – October 17-19, 2012 www.eng.it
© 2012 G.Lami, L.Buglione

14. Sw Sustainability Agenda
• Introduction
– Sustainability: definition & concept
– Some basic questions
• Related studies
– IT Sustainability - existing approaches
– Existing MCMs (Maturity & Capability Models)
– A Step Beyond
• Sustainability Processes: the SUS.x process group
– Process vs Life Cycle
– The SUS.x Processes
• Measuring Sustainability
– Sustainability objectives
– Decompositional approach
– Derivation of sustainability indicators
• Conclusions & Future Works
• Q& A
14 IWSM-MENSURA 2012 – October 17-19, 2012 www.eng.it
© 2012 G.Lami, L.Buglione

15. SUS.x Process Group Process vs. Life Cycle
Sustainable software process:
software process that meets its (realistic) sustainability objectives, expressed
in terms of direct and indirect impacts on economy, society, human
beings, and environment that result from its definition and deployment.
The sustainability of the software process may significantly vary according to
the way the interrelated activities composing the whole software process
are performed.
15 IWSM-MENSURA 2012 – October 17-19, 2012 www.eng.it
© 2012 G.Lami, L.Buglione

16. SUS.x Process Group The SUS.x processes
Process SUS.1 SUS.2 SUS.3
ID
Process Sustainability Management Sustainability Engineering Sustainability Qualification
Name
Process The purpose of the Sustainability The purpose of the Sustainability The purpose of the sustainability
Purpose
Management Process is to ensure that products, Engineering process is to ensure that Qualification process is to assess the
services and life cycle processes meet sustainability is adequately addressed suitability for sustainability of external
sustainability objectives. throughout all stages of the engineering resources when developing a software or
processes. system.
Process As a result of the successful implementation As a result of the successful implementation As a result of the successful
Outcomes
of the Sustainability Management process: of the Sustainability Engineering process: implementation of the Sustainability
1) Principles and criteria for sustainability are 1) Factors affecting sustainability (e.g. resource Qualification process:
established. consumption sources) are identified 1)Sustainability qualification strategy for
2) The scope of the sustainability-related 2) Sustainability analysis is performed in order external resources is developed.
activities for the project is defined. to determine the sustainability impact of factors 2)Sustainability qualification plan is
3) Activities for sustainability are planned and affecting sustainability developed and executed.
implemented. 3) Sustainability objectives are defined for the 3)Sustainability qualification
4) Tasks and resources necessary to complete product development documentation is written.
the activities for sustainability are sized and 4) Green principles are applied to development 4)Sustainability qualification report is
estimated. processes to identify techniques and methods produced.
5) An organization structure for sustainability suitable to achieve the sustainability objectives.
(responsibilities, roles, reporting channels, 5) Techniques and methods for sustainability
interfaces with other projects or OUs …) is are applied
established. 6) Impact on sustainability of change requests
6) Activities for sustainability are monitored, is analysed
sustainability non conformities are reported,
analysed, and resolved.
7) Agreement on sustainability policy and
requirements for supplied products or services is
achieved.
8) Supplier’s activities for sustainability are
monitored.
16 IWSM-MENSURA 2012 – October 17-19, 2012 www.eng.it
© 2012 G.Lami, L.Buglione

17. Sw Sustainability Agenda
• Introduction
– Sustainability: definition & concept
– Some basic questions
• Related studies
– IT Sustainability - existing approaches
– Existing MCMs (Maturity & Capability Models)
– A Step Beyond
• Sustainability Processes: the SUS.x process group
– Process vs Life Cycle
– The SUS.x Processes
• Measuring Sustainability
– Sustainability objectives
– Decompositional approach
– Examples of sustainability indicators
• Conclusions & Future Works
• Q& A
17 IWSM-MENSURA 2012 – October 17-19, 2012 www.eng.it
© 2012 G.Lami, L.Buglione

18. Measuring .... Sustainability objectives
Process SUS.1
ID
Process Sustainability Management
Name
Process The purpose of the Sustainability Management Process is to ensure that products,
Purpose
services and life cycle processes meet sustainability objectives. 1. Sustainability analysis to
Process As a result of the successful implementation of the Sustainability Management process:
Outcomes
1) Principles and criteria for sustainability are established. define project’s
2) The scope of the sustainability-related activities for the project is defined.
3) Activities for sustainability are planned and implemented. Sustainability
4) Tasks and resources necessary to complete the activities for sustainability are sized and
estimated. Objectives
5) An organization structure for sustainability (responsibilities, roles, reporting channels,
interfaces with other projects or OUs …) is established. 2. Identification of suitable
6) Activities for sustainability are monitored, sustainability non conformities are reported,
analysed, and resolved.
7) Agreement on sustainability policy and requirements for supplied products or services is
engineering techniques
achieved.
8) Supplier’s activities for sustainability are monitored.
and solutions to achieve
Process
ID
SUS.2 sustainability Objectives
Process
Name
Sustainability Engineering 3. Application of
Process
Purpose
The purpose of the Sustainability Engineering process is to ensure that sustainability is
adequately addressed throughout all stages of the engineering processes. sustainability techniques
Process
Outcomes
As a result of the successful implementation of the Sustainability Engineering process:
1) Factors affecting sustainability (e.g. resource consumption sources) are identified
and solutions in project
2) Sustainability analysis is performed in order to determine the sustainability impact of
factors affecting sustainability
and their management
3) Sustainability objectives are defined for the product development
4) Green principles are applied to development processes to identify techniques and
methods suitable to achieve the sustainability objectives.
5) Techniques and methods for sustainability are applied
6) Impact on sustainability of change requests is analysed
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© 2012 G.Lami, L.Buglione

19. Measuring .... Decompositional approach
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© 2012 G.Lami, L.Buglione

20. Measuring .... Examples of sustainability indicators
Infrastructures
Resource usage rate
•It indicates the how much a certain resource is
used during software operation
•The higher the Resource Usage rate, the more the
virtualization
People
Travels impact
•It indicates the greenhouse gas emissions in
travels due to project needs
•The more travels, the higher the conservation
Process
Peaks and lows
•It indicated the occurrence of over-busy or idle
phases in software process
•The more the Peaks & Lows, the lower the process
Sustainability Indicators efficiency
Product
Computational efficiency
•It indicates whether the algorithm implemented by
software are efficient/optimized
•The higher the Computational efficiency, the more
the power efficiency
20 IWSM-MENSURA 2012 – October 17-19, 2012 www.eng.it
© 2012 G.Lami, L.Buglione

21. Sw Sustainability Agenda
• Introduction
– Sustainability: definition & concept
– Some basic questions
• Related studies
– IT Sustainability - existing approaches
– Existing MCMs (Maturity & Capability Models)
– A Step Beyond
• Sustainability Processes: the SUS.x process group
– Process vs Life Cycle
– The SUS.x Processes
• Measuring Sustainability
– Sustainability objectives
– Decompositional approach
– Examples of sustainability indicators
• Conclusions & Future Works
• Q& A
21 IWSM-MENSURA 2012 – October 17-19, 2012 www.eng.it
© 2012 G.Lami, L.Buglione

22. Sw Sustainability Conclusions & Future Works
• ICT Sustainability
Short vs Medium Long term visibility
Not only “green”, but also...other colours, it’s a “rainbow” issue, also in ICT!
Many models and ideas, but focus on Infrastructure and People too
• Sustainability Processes
Current MCMs (Maturity & Capability Models) don’t have processes on sustainability
A new ISO 12207-based set of three processes SUS.x process group
Main outcomes defined for its management, engineering, qualification
Measuring Sustainability
Sustainability is in a middle way between the internal/external and in-use quality views
ISO/IEC 25010:2011 could be improved adding ‘sustainability’ as a further char
Proposed a list of possible sub-chars with few examples drivers/indicators
Next Steps
Sustainability is a ‘glue’ allowing to do not lose competitivity, it’s about CoQ, not ConQ!
Focus on the right improvement drivers looking at your process strategy map
Strengthen RCA (Root-Cause Analysis) application in a lean way into organizations,
that’s the key for improving better, faster and cheaper (but keeping track of your
history...)
...try & see!
The time is always right to do what
The time is always right to do what
is right.
is right.
(Dr. Martin Luther King, 1929--1968
(Dr. Martin Luther King,1929-1968
1929 1968)
1929-1968)
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© 2012 G.Lami, L.Buglione

23. Sw Sustainability Lessons Learned...
URL: www.dilbert.com
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24. Sw Sustainability Q&A
Thanks for your attention!
Grazie per la vostra attenzione!
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© 2012 G.Lami, L.Buglione

25. Sw Sustainability Our Contact Data
Giuseppe Luigi
Lami Buglione
ISTI/CNR Engineering.IT/ETS
giuseppe.lami@isti.cnr.it luigi.buglione@eng.it
25 IWSM-MENSURA 2012 – October 17-19, 2012 www.eng.it
© 2012 G.Lami, L.Buglione