The Personal Software Process (PSP) is a structured approach for improving the process of software development. The PSP assists engineers and other such professionals in improving their performance by bringing discipline to the way they develop software. Based on the principles found in the Capability Maturity Model® (CMM) for Software, the PSP is applied by engineers as a guide to a disciplined approach to consistently develop high quality software products in a timely manner. Because much of the research and development cost of software is directly related to personnel costs, the experience, skills, and work habits of engineers mainly determine the results of the software development process. This relationship of the engineer to the results of the development process is the foundation on which PSP is based.

Competent work in most professions requires the disciplined use of established practices. PSP principles assert...