What is a SPIN?
    A Software Process Improvement Network (SPIN) is an organization of software professionals in a particular geographical area. These software professionals are interested in software process improvement. Each regional SPIN is different, based on the vision of the founders and the needs of the community.

How did SPINs get started?
   In 1988, several software professionals were working on process improvement in the Washington DC area. These professionals decided that they needed a practical forum for the exchange of ideas, information, and mutual support. Realizing that the Software Engineering Institute (SEI) could not actively support all ongoing process improvement efforts, these professionals created a mechanism by which members of Software Engineering Process Groups (SEPGs) could band together to provide mutual support and interaction not available through the SEI.

What are the benefits of participating in a SPIN?
   Two benefits that result from participating in a SPIN are networking and leverage. These are factors that have maintained organizations such as the ACM and IEEE, and these are the factors which are now driving the creation of new SPINS all over the world. Because the field of software process improvement is growing rapidly, an opportunity to network with other professionals who have the same interests can be very useful.
The leverage provided by SPINs is also important. For example, Texas Instruments approached several universities in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area about the possibility of the universities offering a Masters in Software Engineering (MSE) program. The universities resisted. The Dallas/Fort Worth SPIN approached the same universities, and received a more positive response. Several universities in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area now offer an MSE program.

What types of people typically participate in a SPIN?
   SPINs are made up of professionals from all sectors: industry, government, academia (including students), and include defense contractors, professional organizations, and independent consultants.

How are SPIN groups affiliated with the SEI?
   Each SPIN is completely independent. The SEI exerts no control over any of the organizations. The SEI does, however, provide support in many ways. The most significant manner in which the SEI provides support is by enabling communication among the existing regional SPINs. Through regular maintenance and distribution of the SPIN Directory, the SEI has been able to connect many software professionals with emerging or active SPINs. The SEI distributes SPIN start-up information to anyone who is interested in starting or joining a SPIN in their area. The SEI SPIN coordinator can also arrange for members of the SEI community to speak at SPIN meetings.

How can I start a SPIN in my area?
   The first step is to contact the SEI SPIN coordinator, Dawna Baird, either by phone at 412-268-5539 or email at dbaird@sei.cmu.edu. Your contact information will be entered into the SPIN database, and a SPIN start-up package will be sent to you. If any others from your area have requested a SPIN start-up package, we will send you their contact information.At your request, we will add your contact information to the SPIN directory as a SPIN point of contact for your area. This directory is updated several times a year and is distributed to many software professionals who have a relationship with the SEI. The directory is also available at all SEI-sponsored conferences, including CSEE, SEPG, and Risk Conferences as well as the Software Engineering Symposium. After you have contacted other professionals in your area who are also interested in establishing a SPIN, you can schedule your first planning committee meeting.

What does the planning committee need to decide?
   The first issue to be addressed should be the mission statement. After you have determined why your SPIN has been created and what needs you hope to address, you can move on to decisions such as:o Do you want to draft a charter and by-laws, or would you like to remain more informal?o Who will run the SPIN - volunteers or elected officers?o How are you going to fund the meetings? Many of the existing SPINs have one or more corporate, academic or government sponsor who donate meeting space, reproduction services, clerical assistance, postage, etc. Some SPINs collect dues at each meeting and others charge a yearly fee; others charge nothing at all.

How often and when should we meet?
    Many SPINs meet one evening a month. Several of the SPINs meet during the day. A few SPINs meet on a bimonthly or quarterly basis. Some SPINs do not meet during the summer months and/or December. At each meeting, you should allow a period of time for networking. You may want to serve refreshments during the networking session (cookies and soda, for example). Consider what will work best for your constituency, and be willing to adapt and compromise

How can we get word out about our SPIN meetings?
   You should maintain a mailing list and email list for meeting announcements. You can also consider contacting editors of local trade newsletters to see if they would be willing to mention your meetings in a calendar of events. Some SPINs publish a regular newsletter. Other SPINs use methods such as electronic bboard announcements, telephone trees, and the World Wide Web. Many SPINs send their meeting notices (via email) to the SEI SPIN coordinator, who then forwards the message to her email list.

How can I learn about other SPIN meetings?
   You should request that the SEI SPIN coordinator add you to her email alias. Not only will you receive information about SPIN meetings and meeting minutes, but you will receive other software process improvement-related information relating to courses, conferences and publications.

What lessons have the other SPINs learned?
   DC SPIN lessons learnedo Be open and honest in front of customers/competitorso Mix of both speaker and workshop formats works besto Industry interests are related to organizational sizeo SEI alumni are a valuable linko SEI participation is invaluableo Interfacing with other groups (e.g., SSQ) is beneficialo Small and stable SPIN leadership kernel is importanto Publication and administration tasks are significantSouthern California SPIN lessons learnedo University of provides neutral turf and facilitates discussiono Daytime meetings are successful in Southern Californiao Networking is a big benefit for attendeeso Allow plenty of time for networkingo Running SPIN takes a lot of workDallas/Ft. Worth SPIN lessons learnedo Active, organized, dedicated leaders are keyo Understand your audience and program with their needs in mindo Opportunity to network and programs draw peopleo Learn from other SPINso Associations with large organizations draw "name" speakerso Independent consultants can helpBoston SPIN lessons learnedo Be well organized before first meetingo Assign responsibilities at all committee meetingso Define a mechanism for canceling a scheduled meeting o Arrange programs in advance for advertising deadlineso Prepare outlines for panel presentationso Use committed and dedicated volunteerso Find sponsor(s) for facilities, services and working capitalo Establish non-profit status