What is CMMI?
CMMI is an acronym for Capability Maturity Model Integration and consist of comprehensive set of guidelines to help organizations establish and improve processes-based practices.
There are multiple models: Development, Services, Supply Chain, People Management. All models are composed of Categories, Capability Areas, and Practice Areas. Each Category is associated with Capability Areas, and Capability Areas are associated with Practices, Summaries and Requirements
A Maturity Level (ML) or Capability Level (CL) is granted following an approved Benchmark Appraisal method developed by the CMMI Institute and is valid for three (3) years. Approach and application of the Appraisal method is determined by an organization’s business objectives and eligibility.
CMMI Development V2.0
CMMI Development V2.0 focuses on performance improvement requirements and key capabilities for companies that develop products, components, and services. Business problems like late delivery, poor quality, stretched resources, constant firefighting, inexperienced personnel and missed deadlines are common when building complex products and services. Managing and controlling the product development lifecycle has become more difficult in recent years.
Focusing on best practices, CMMI Development V2.0 improves an organization’s capability to develop quality products and services that meet the needs of customers and end users, improves time to market, improves product quality (and reduces defects), lowers costs, improves planning and budgeting.
CMMI
Services
V2.0
CMMI Services V2.0 focuses on service management best practices for organizations that provide B2B, B2C, standalone services, and those that are part of a product offering. More than 80% of the world’s business is service-oriented and without a strong service delivery strategy many companies lack the ability to react quickly to crucial incidents like on-time service delivery, time delays, cost overruns, poor decision making and failure to meet customer expectations.
CMMI Services V2.0 supports the improvement of a company’s capability to efficiently and effectively deliver quality service that meets market needs, exceeds customer expectations, develops resiliency, prevents incidents, delivers service in in accordance with established agreements, reduces costs and increases quality.
CMMI
Supplier
Management
CMMI Supplier Management focuses on performance initiatives and improvements for organizations that acquire goods or services from another company. Many organizations are relying more on external suppliers and contractors to provide products and services that help them meet their business objectives. Issues like changes in requirements, changes in technology, not detailed agreements, resource shortages, delivery delays, poor quality and customer needs not met often arise after the hiring of a supplier.
CMMI Supplier Management consists of best practices that improve an organization’s capability to identify, hire and manage suppliers and vendors in a way that reduces supply chain risk, manages complex changes, meets growth demands, allocates resources effectively and shares accountability.
The newly released CMMI v2.0 presents some strategic changes and improvements in both methodology and approach. These updates provide the addition of new requirements, an evolution of historical standards, as well as a continuation of familiar practices.
CMMI v2.0 and the changes from CMMI v1.3?
CMMI v2.0 is defined to highlight critical capabilities common within companies, with an attention to performance practices and a focus on process improvement through repeatability and practice. CMMI global best practices enable organizations to build and benchmark the most common business challenges including:
· Manage Work, Ensure Quality & Improve Performance
· Develop Products & Deliver / Manage Services
· Manage Suppliers
· Manage Workforce & Support Implementation
· Sustain Habit Persistence & Manage Business Resilience
CMMI V2.0 Maturity Levels
One of the big changes in CMMI V2.0 is that all Practice Areas apply at Maturity Level 3 (ML3) with specific additional required practice levels.
For example, Causal Analysis and Resolution is required at ML3 but there are added practices at CMMI Maturity Level 4 (ML4) and CMMI Maturity Level 5 (ML5).
CMMI Maturity Level 1 (ML1) Initial
In CMMI ML1 organizations meet the intent of Practice Area(s), but practices are not fully implemented and usually are reactive in addressing issues.
CMMI Maturity Level 2 (ML2) Managed
In CMMI Level 2 organizations implement practices to meet the intent of Practice Area(s), proactively address issues and achieve program objectives. ML2 does not require use of organizational assets. The following Practice Areas must be rated at Maturity Level 2:
· Managing Performance and Management
· Supplier Agreement Management
· Process Quality Assurance
· Configuration Management
· Monitor and Control
· Planning
· Estimating
· Requirements Development and Maintenance
· Governance
· Implementation Infrastructure
CMMI Maturity Level 3 (ML3) Defined
In CMMI ML3 there is use of organizational standard practices, assets, and tailoring that address issues, achieve organization objectives, program objectives and focus on overall quality. The following Practice Areas must be rated at Maturity Level 3 (Configuration Management does not have any additional practices at Maturity Level 3)
· Managing Performance and Management
· Supplier Agreement Management
· Process Quality Assurance
· Configuration Management
· Monitor and Control
· Planning
· Estimating
· Requirements Development and Maintenance
· Governance
· Implementation Infrastructure
· Causal Analysis and Resolution
· Decision Analysis and Resolution
· Organizational Training
· Risk Management
· Process Asset Development
· Peer Reviews
· Process Management
· Verification and Validation
· Technical Solution
· Product Integration
CMMI Maturity Level 4 (ML4) Quantitively Managed
For the upgrade in CMMI ML4 organizations must have controlled processes, measured with the use of statistical and quantitative techniques and prediction tools for achieving quality, performance, and objectives. The following Practice Areas must be rated at Maturity Level 4, in addition to everything above:
· Managing Performance and Management
· Planning
· Governance
· Causal Analysis and Resolution
· Process Management
CMMI Maturity Level 5 (ML5) Optimizing
Finally, in order to reach CMMI ML5 needs to optimize process improvement through use of statistical and quantitative techniques. The following Practice Areas must be rated at Maturity Level 5, in addition to everything above
· Managing Performance and Management
· Causal Analysis and Resolution