Assessors write down the assessment results and notes supporting the assessment judgment. There are a limited number of computer based tools that present the indicators and allow users to enter the assessment judgment and notes in formatted screens, as well as automate the collated assessment result (i.e. the process attribute ratings) and creating reports. Assessor qualifications and competency For a successful assessment, the assessor must have a suitable level of the relevant skills and experience. These skills include: personal qualities such as communication skills. relevant education and training and experience. specific skills for particular categories, e.g. management skills for the management category. ISO/IEC 15504 related training and experience in process capability assessments. The competency of assessors is the subject of part 3 of ISO/IEC 15504. In summary, the ISO/IEC 15504 specific training and experience for assessors comprise: completion of a 5-day lead assessor training course performing at least one assessment successfully under supervision of a competent lead assessor performing at least one assessment successfully as a lead assessor under the supervision of a competent lead assessor. The competent lead assessor defines when the assessment is successfully performed. There exist schemes for certifying assessors and guiding lead assessors in making this judgement. Uses ISO/IEC 15504 can be used in two contexts: Process improvement, and Capability determination (= evaluation of supplier's process capability). Process improvement ISO/IEC 15504 can be used to perform process improvement within a technology organization. Process improvement is always difficult, and initiatives often fail, so it is important to understand the initial baseline level (process capability level), and to assess the situation after an improvement project. ISO 15504 provides a standard for assessing the organization's capacity to deliver at each of these stages. In particular, the reference framework of ISO/IEC 15504 provides a structure for defining objectives, which facilitates specific programs to achieve these objectives. Process improvement is the subject of part 4 of ISO/IEC 15504. It specifies requirements for improvement programmes and provides guidance on planning and executing improvements, including a description of an eight step improvement programme. Following this improvement programme is not mandatory and several alternative improvement programmes exist. Capability determination An organization considering outsourcing software development needs to have a good understanding of the capability of potential suppliers to deliver. ISO/IEC 15504 (Part 4) can also be used to inform supplier selection decisions. The ISO/IEC 15504 framework provides a framework for assessing proposed suppliers, as