Joselyn T. Capistrano, a Software Engineering Institute (SEISM)-Certified CMM® Lead Assessor (CBA-IPI) and SCAMPISM Lead Appraiser and Introduction to CMMI® Instructor, shares her insights on CMMI in this Q and A.
Q. SQME Professionals, Inc. started business back in 2002 when CMM was in the process of being grandfathered to make way for CMMI. What changes has CMMI brought on to your practice?
A. The impact is really for the client rather than SQME since the model has expanded its scope. SEI will also publish two other constellations - CMMI for Services and CMMI for Acquisition - to complete the CMMI Framework.
Q. SEI, the think tank behind CMMI, was organized in 1984. Why is CMMI still relevant?
A. SEI is making it stronger. CMMI-DEV has expanded scope to respond to global changes. The CMMI for Development not only includes best practices associated with software engineering, but it also includes hardware development and software and systems engineering. The CMMI for Acquisition has also just been released and within the year there is a plan to release the CMMI for Services. This indicates that SEI is really trying to ensure that the model is constantly upgraded to meet the global market demands. Just last year, SEI has also re-launched the People CMMI which is supposed to address the people development component. With the introduction of the different constellations supported by a common framework for training, common model components, and similar appraisal framework, a lot of companies will be able to align their improvement programs using a common framework.
Q. Why should CEOs consider undergoing CMMI assessment?
A. CMMI is currently being used as a framework to guide organizations to improve their own internal operations because it actually aids in the monitoring and control of critical business parameters like cost management, quality management and effective resource management through effective planning and effective training mechanisms. Given the global market for talent, people move around a lot and you have to have mature processes to survive this movement. A hero-based company might not last once its talents move on to other things. It also helps CEOs answer questions such as: How do you measure effectiveness? Performance? Productivity?
However, currently, most CEOs currently pursue it primarily as a marketing tool to be able to compete and bid for projects that require the use of globally recognized standards like CMMI. CMMI Maturity Level is now used as one of the top criteria for supplier selection for big multinationals. In fact, in China, it is now a requirement to be appraised at CMMI Level 3 before you can bid for government projects. In the US, most large multinational companies doing outsourcing also make it a prerequisite for supplier selection.
