软件工厂定义是作为组装(不是代码)软件应用的设施必须依照规格跟随严密的方法学。由运用工业制造的基础──标准化组件、专业技巧集合、平行处理和可预测和可升级的一贯性质量──一家真正的软件工厂可达到应用汇编的优越水平即使当装配新的或横向解决方案也一样优越。就如同汽车制造过程的工业化导致增加的生产力和低成本高品质，软件开发过程的工业化导致同样的优势。软件工厂以其高效低成本方式节省开发软件时间，在最近广泛流行。概念上，软件工厂代表寻求合并预建与标准功能进入软件开发过程的方法学，而这在业界通常是专业领域不同而各自为政的。

Software factory refers to a structured collection of related software assets that aids in producing computer software applications or software components according to specific, externally defined end-user requirements through an assembly process. A software factory applies manufacturing techniques and principles to software development to mimic the benefits of traditional manufacturing. Software factories are generally involved with outsourced software creation.