Getting Started with SEI CMMI

The Standard CMMI Appraisal Method is mainly for Process Improvement (SCAMPI) is designed to provide quality ratings relative to Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI) models.

SCAMPI Appraisals: are used to find strengths and weaknesses of processes, reveal acquisition risks and determine capability and maturity level ratings.

Planning is must in Appraisals. When planning an appraisal of an organization, need to determine the scope of the organizational unit, which levels to include, whether the appraisal team will consist of members are from within or outsiders of an organization, projects to be included, individuals to be interviewed, and the type of appraisal necessary.

Appraisals categories of model components in the CMMI are:

• Required: specific and generic goals only.
• Expected: specific and generic practices only.
• Informative: includes sub-practices and typical work products.

The SEI guiding documents for CMMI assessments:

• Appraisal Requirements for CMMI (ARC): defines the requirements for appraisal methods intended for use with Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI) and with the people CMM. The ARC may also be useful when defining appraisals with other reference models.

• Standard CMMI Appraisal Method for Process Improvement (SCAMPI): Method Description Document (MDD) is currently the only approved Class A appraisal method.

CMMI Appraisal Methods: Class A, Class B, and Class C.

SCAMPI Class-A Appraisal:

The SCAMPI A Appraisal is used to find an organization’s level of process performance using the Standard CMMI Appraisal Method for Process Improvement (SCAMPI).  The SCAMPI A is a required for organizations wishing to be appraised at a CMMI Maturity/ Capability Level.

The activities that occur during the SCAMPI A appraisal are:

• Planning the Appraisal
• Appraisal team members selecting
• Readiness Review
• Training for appraisal team
• Evaluating applicable CMMI Process Areas, Goals and Practices
• Finding the organizational strengths and weaknesses relative to the CMMI model
• Presenting and documenting appraisal findings
• Filing results with the CMMI Institute

SCAMPI Class-B Appraisal:

A SCAMPI B Appraisal provides an understanding of current state of process performance relative to the CMMI.  It is generally used as a benchmarking tool as to prepare for the more formal SCAMPI A.  In that case, consider the SCAMPI B as a risk mitigation technique with a customizable set of outputs.

Some of the SCAMPI B activities include:

• Appraisal Planning
• Finding all of the appraisal participants
• Readiness Review
• Training for Appraisal Team
• Evaluating each of the Process Areas, Goals, and Practices using a combination of interviews, artifact reviews, and demonstrations
• Finding organizational strengths and weaknesses within the context of the CMMI model
• Providing detailed findings to the sponsor

SCAMPI Class-C Appraisal:

SCAMPI C is a tool for developing an in-detailed understanding of current state of process performance. SCAMPI Class C appraisals, the SEI's suite of appraisal methods, are flexible and can be conducted to address to needs. While the SCAMPI C does not result in a CMMI “rating”, provide a rich dataset that reflects organizational performance.

Typically much shorter in duration than Class A and B appraisals, SCAMPI C appraisals are usually performed for reasons are:

• It provide a quick gap analysis of an organization's process relative to the CMMI
• Before implementing the new process assess the adequacy.
• Observe the implementation of a process
• support the selection of a supplier

The SCAMPI C activities are:

• Appraisal planning.
• Interviews with a broad cross-section of practitioners
• Description of strengths and weaknesses
• Each Process Area analysis done by practice-by-practice
• Recommendations for improvement
• Plan for Process Improvement

Appraisal Class Characteristics:

SCAMPI Fundamentals:

SCAMPI is stands for Standard CMMI Appraisal Method for Process Improvement. It must be led by an SEI Authorized SCAMPI Lead Appraiser. It is supported by the SCAMPI Product Suite, which includes the SCAMPI Method Descriptions, work aids, templates and maturity questionnaire.

SCAMPI methods are:

• CBA IPI: CMM-Based Appraisal for Internal Process Improvement
• SCE: Software Capability Evaluation
• EIA/IS 732.2: the interim international standard entitled Systems Engineering Assessment Method
• SDCE: Software Development Capability Evaluation
• FAA Appraisal Method.