LAST Day for SEPG Europe Early-Bird Registration!

Registration is currently open for SEPG Europe 2010 to be held 28 June – 1 July 2010 in beautiful, historic Porto, Portugal.  In fact, today is the last day take advantage of early bird savings for SEPG Europe 2010; this rate expires at midnight on 28 May. To enjoy an exciting technical program in a beautiful host city and save $100, register today.

Make the Most of Your Time in Porto with the TSP Executive Strategy Seminar

After SEPG Europe 2010 has concluded, you’ll have the opportunity to make the most of your time in Porto by attending the TSP Executive Strategy Seminar.

Engineering groups use the Team Software Process (TSP) to apply integrated team concepts to the development of software-intensive systems. The TSP, along with the Personal Software Process, helps the high-performance engineer to ensure quality software products, create secure software products and improve process management in an organization.

Held on 2 July 2010, Friday, from 09.00-18.00 – also on the FEUP campus – the TSP Executive Seminar covers the following topics:

• The basic concepts on which the TSP is built;
• How the TSP can effectively improve software development activities and provide positive motivation for engineers and project team;
• How to use the TSP to address current and future software needs;
• How to successfully introduce and maintain TSP; and
• What management must do to help their teams be successful.

Further information can be found here.

Breakfast, lunch and coffee breaks are included in the 400€ registration fee. Register today for the TSP Executive Seminar. This course is co-offered by the SEI and its partner Strongstep.

The #5 Reason to Attend SEPG Europe 2010: Full- and Half-Day Tutorials

Over the past five weeks, you’ve heard some of the many great reasons to attend SEPG Europe 2010, including a top-notch technical program, a partnership with the Faculty of Engineering of the University of Porto, and the numerous networking opportunities. In addition to these compelling reasons to register, SEPG Europe also offers delegates the chance to attend full- or half-day tutorials.

Held on Monday, 28 June, these tutorials offer delegates a more focused, intensive discussion on the first steps in process improvement initiatives; factors to consider and advantages of combining models, frameworks, and standards; and aspects of process improvement in micro-, small-, and medium-size settings.

SEPG Europe 2010 tutorials include:

• Introduction to the Team Software Process by James Over, Software Engineering Institute
• Smart Grid Maturity Model at the SEI by Barbara Tyson, Software Engineering Institute
• CMMI for Services by Eileen Forrester, Software Engineering Institute
• A Quest to Organizational Effectiveness & Successful Execution: Synergies between People CMM, CMMI and Project Management Best Practices by Yan Bello Mendez, SpaceMinds

To view the schedule for these tutorials, and to see the rest of the learning opportunities that are part of the SEPG Europe 2010 schedule, see the  Program at a Glance.

The #6 Reason to Attend SEPG Europe 2010: Expand Your Network

SEPG Europe 2010 is a great opportunity for software and systems professions to stay on the cutting edge of the industry and connect with their global peers.

First-Timers’ Orientation
With four days of sessions, four keynote presentations, and a variety of networking activities and events, the conference is filled with opportunities to learn and connect with your peers.

New SEPG delegates can begin networking at the First Timers’ Orientation, which will be held Monday, June 28 from 8-9 a.m. This complimentary orientation will bring together first-time delegates with savvy returning conference delegates to learn tips and tricks for making the most of your conference experience.

Student Poster Presentation Program
SEPG Europe 2010 is also a great opportunity for students to connect with other students interested in software, systems, process management, and performance improvement, as well as software and systems professionals from around the world. Again this year, we are pleased to offer the Student Poster Program. Students who were notified of poster acceptance will enjoy the opportunity to expand their network, listen in on hot-topic panels and presentations, and take home the most current research and technical solutions from industry leading experts.

SEPG Europe delegates are encouraged to take in the students’ exciting and interesting work – and maybe even find some potential future employees – by visiting the posters, which will be displayed in the exhibit area.

For students who have not submitted a poster presentation but still wish to attend the conference, we are pleased to offer a significantly reduced fee of $300 for all four days of the conference. This reduced fee includes all meals and special events, plus admission into each day’s technical sessions.

Just a Few Days Left for Early-Bird Savings

There’s just a little more than a week left until the early-bird savings are no longer available.  Don’t miss out on an exciting technical program in a beautiful host city or the chance to save $100 off of regular conference rates – register today!

The #7 Reason to Attend SEPG Europe 2010: A Beautiful, Historic Host City

In addition to offering engaging keynotes, technical sessions, and seminars, holding SEPG Europe 2010 in Porto, Portugal provides a beautiful backdrop for networking and socializing.

Anyone whose registration includes Wednesday, June 30 can get a unique, authentic taste of Porto, the “City of Bridges” and home of Port wine.

First, join fellow attendees for a Six Bridge River Cruise that offers unbeatable views of the city. Come aboard a wooden boat that is a replica of the flat-bottomed boats that used to transport Port in earlier times. The 50-minute tour gives an up-close view of the six bridges that connect Porto with Vila Nova de Gaia, where the Port warehouses are located.  (Hint: grab a seat outside to get the best views.)

After the cruise concludes in Vila Nova de Gaia, step onto dry land and accompany fellow attendees on a visit to one of the oldest wine cellars in Porto. Taylor’s Wine Cellars is more than 300 years old and is still owned by the family of the original partners. Learn more about the rich history of the region with a guided wine cellar tour that explains the fascinating history of Port wine.

Finally, enjoy dinner and drinks on Taylor’s Wine Cellar grounds as a perfect – and delicious – end to an action-packed day.  The evening concludes with transportation to Porto City Centre.

Participation in any or all of the evening’s events is included for those who are registered for Wednesday.

Getting Around
Also, as part of your SEPG Europe registration, you will receive one three-day Metro pass in your registration bag to be picked up at the conference. Be sure to check out the SEPG Europe program (also to be picked up at the conference) for fun ideas on how to make the most of your time in Porto.

Have you already made a list of can’t-miss sights in Porto? Feel free to comment on this post to share your recommendations with others.

Early Bird Savings Still Available

There is just a little more than two weeks left to take advantage of early bird savings for SEPG Europe 2010. If you don’t want to miss out on enjoying an exciting technical program in a beautiful host city and you’re looking to save $100, register today.

Picture Yourself in Porto: #8 Reason to Attend SEPG Europe 2010 in Porto, Portugal

Reason #8 – Cutting-Edge Technical Program

Do you dare to be inspired?  If so, Porto is the place for you. SEPG Europe 2010 is poised to deliver a top-notch technical program that addresses the key challenges in industry today, providing you with valuable and practical insights, with a focus on achieving significant business results from process improvement. Sound intriguing?

The majority of SEPG attendees report that they attend the conference to learn about the newest ideas, innovative best practices, and quality tools and services that will enable them to achieve high-quality business performance.

Whether you have an interest in how CMMI for Services can improve your customers’ service experience, are curious as to how CMMI and Agile can combine to enhance performance, or have a need to learn how organizations can work successfully with multiple models, SEPG Europe 2010 will connect you with leading industry experts and researchers all within the magnificent setting of the Faculty of Engineering of University of Porto campus.

Want a Program Preview?

As you look forward to being engaged and inspired at SEPG Europe 2010, here is a sampling of topics that are part of our enriching conference program:

• Views on aligning process improvement with business value
• Case studies in successful process improvement
• Aspects of process improvement in micro-, small-, and medium-size settings
• Ways to use Agile and CMMI in combination
• Arguments for process improvement in a down economy
• Reasons why senior management should consider process improvement a top-priority
• Factors to consider and advantages of combining models, frameworks, and standards
• First steps in process improvement initiatives
• Processes for collaboration that are multi-site and/or multi-organizational
• Process considerations in service development and delivery
• Benefits and challenges of attaining high maturity

For a preview of what’s to come on June 28-July 1 in Porto, Portugal, take a look at the conference’s program at-a-glance.