Skill Management in Software Engineering

Allocation of people is a crucial point in the success of software projects. Several techniques have been proposed to manage them in an optimal way, yet, when it comes to do the actual allocation, several constraints occur. The constraints regard the limited human resources and skills available in a firm and the possibly large number of projects that must be handled at the same time. The paper presents a technique to make allocation of people automatic at project level allowing all the constraints that may occur. Allocation takes into consideration skills: activities and roles require skills; people have actual skills. The technique to find a good assignment is based on flexible matching of skills between people and roles. Sub-optimal allocations are supported as required by real situations.