The Capability Maturity Model 

The CMM is a framework for describing (measuring) organisational software process maturity. Ultimately the CMM addresses the reasons why methodologies and tools fail due to chaos and provides us with a strategy for evolving our capabilities.

Note: The CMM goes beyond Configuration/Change management. It is there to address all necessary S/W best practices. However, the CMM is not exhaustive, nor does it go to the micro level with respect to each key process activity (KPA).

The CMM is organized into five maturity levels, each level is a well-defined evolutionary plateau describing the organisations capabilities:

1) Initial. The software process is characterized as ad hoc, and occasionally even chaotic. Few processes are defined, and success depends on individual effort and heroics. 

2) Repeatable. Basic project management processes are established to track cost, schedule, and functionality. The necessary process discipline is in place to repeat earlier successes on projects with similar applications. 

3) Defined. The software process for both management and engineering activities is documented, standardized, and integrated into a standard software process for the organization. All projects use an approved, tailored version of the organization's standard software process for developing and maintaining software. 

4) Managed. Detailed measures of the software process and product quality are collected. Both the software process and products are quantitatively understood and controlled. 

5) Optimising. Continuous process improvement is enabled by quantitative feedback from the process and from piloting innovative ideas and technologies.

To download the latest CMM specification please use the following SEI link: SEI CMM v1.1

Copyright © 2002 SnuffyBear Company (Sydney Australia).