Getting Started with SEI CMMI

Each key process area identifies a group of related activities that, when performed collectively, achieve a set of goals considered important for improving process capability. The key process areas are defined to place at a single maturity level. 

The key process areas are building blocks that indicate the areas of an organization mainly focus on to improve its software process. 

A key process area can be used to find the project has effectively implemented the key process area. The goals signify the boundaries, scope and intent of each key process area.

The CMMI Process Areas (PAs) are listed below:

• Process Management
• Project Management
• Engineering
• Support

There are two types of goals and practices:

• Generic goals and practices: They are a part of every process area.
• Specific goals and practices: They are specific to a given process area.

 

Each process area is defined by a group of practices and goals and also is satisfied when the processes of a company cover entire the generic and specific goals and practices for the specific process area.

Generic Goals and Practices

Generic goals and practices are a part of each and every process area.

NOTATIONS: GG --> Generic Goals and GP --> Generic Practice

• GG 1 Achieve Specific Goals
• GG 2 Institutionalize a Managed Process
• GG 3 Institutionalize a Defined Process
• GG 4 Institutionalize a Quantitatively Managed Process
• GG 5 Institutionalize an Optimizing Process

• GP 1.1 Perform Specific Practices

• GP 2.1 Establish an Organizational Policy
• GP 2.2 Plan the Process
• GP 2.3 Provide Resources
• GP 2.4 Assign Responsibility
• GP 2.5 Train People
• GP 2.6 Manage Configurations
• GP 2.7 Identify and Involve Relevant Stakeholders
• GP 2.8 Monitor and Control the Process
• GP 2.9 Objectively Evaluate Adherence
• GP 2.10 Review Status with Higher Level Management

• GP 3.1 Establish a Defined Process
• GP 3.2 Collect Improvement Information

• GP 4.1 Establish Quantitative Objectives for the Process
• GP 4.2 Stabilize Sub process Performance

• GP 5.1 Ensure Continuous Process Improvement
• GP 5.2 Correct Root Causes of Problems

Common Features:

Some of the common features in CMMI model:

• Commitment to perform: It is generic practices related to creating policies and securing sponsorship
• Ability to perform: It is generic practices related to make sure that the project and or organization has the resources it needs
• Directing implementation: It is generic practices related to managing the managing the integrity of its work products, performance of the process, and involving relevant product owners.
• Measurement and Analysis: which describes the need to measure the process and analyze the measurements. For examples of the measurements that could be taken to find the status and effectiveness of the Activities.
• Verifying implementation: higher level management are involved to review the generic practice and objective evaluation.

 

Process Areas in Detail:

The CMMI contains 22 process areas indicating the aspects of product development that are to be covered by company processes.

Causal Analysis and Resolution:

• It is a support process area at Maturity Level 5.

Purpose

The Causal Analysis and Resolution (CAR) are used to find causes of defects and other problems and take appropriate action.

Specific Practices by Goal

• SG 1 Determine Causes of Defects
• SP 1.1 Select Defect Data for Analysis
• SP 1.2 Analyze Causes
• SG 2 Address Causes of Defects
• SP 2.1 Implement the Action Proposals
• SP 2.2 Evaluate the Effect of Changes
• SP 2.3 Record Data

Configuration Management

• It is a support process area at Maturity Level 2.

Purpose

The Configuration Management (CM) is used to establish and maintain the integrity of work products using configuration identification, configuration control, configuration status accounting, and configuration audits.

Specific Practices by Goal

• SG 1 Establish Baselines
• SP 1.1 Identify Configuration Items
• SP 1.2 Establish a Configuration Management System
• SP 1.3 Create or Release Baselines
• SG 2 Track and Control Changes
• SP 2.1 Track Change Requests
• SP 2.2 Control Configuration Items
• SG 3 Establish Integrity
• SP 3.1 Establish Configuration Management Records
• SP 3.2 Perform Configuration Audits

Decision Analysis and Resolution

• It is a support process area at Maturity Level 3.

Purpose

The Decision Analysis and Resolution (DAR) are used to analyze possible decisions using a formal evaluation process to evaluate identified alternatives over established criteria.

Specific Practices by Goal

• SG 1 Evaluate Alternatives
• SP 1.1 Establish Guidelines for Decision Analysis
• SP 1.2 Establish Evaluation Criteria
• SP 1.3 Identify Alternative Solutions
• SP 1.4 Select Evaluation Methods
• SP 1.5 Evaluate Alternatives
• SP 1.6 Select Solutions

Integrated Project Management + IPPD

• It is a Project Management process area at Maturity Level 3.

Purpose

The Integrated Project Management + IPPD (IPM) is used to establish and manage the project and the involvement of the relevant product owners according to an integrated and defined process that is modified from the organization's set of standard processes.

Specific Practices by Goal

• SG 1 Use the Project's Defined Process
• SP 1.1 Establish the Project's Defined Process
• SP 1.2 Use Organizational Process Assets for Planning Project Activities
• SP 1.3 Establish the Project's Work Environment
• SP 1.4 Integrate Plans
• SP 1.5 Manage the Project Using the Integrated Plans
• SP 1.6 Contribute to the Organizational Process Assets
• SG 2 Coordinate and Collaborate with Relevant Stakeholders
• SP 2.1 Manage Stakeholder Involvement
• SP 2.2 Manage Dependencies
• SP 2.3 Resolve Coordination Issues

IPPD Addition:

• SG 3 Apply IPPD Principles
• SP 3.1 Establish the Project's Shared Vision
• SP 3.2 Establish the Integrated Team Structure
• SP 3.3 Allocate Requirements to Integrated Teams
• SP 3.4 Establish Integrated Teams
• SP 3.5 Ensure Collaboration among Interfacing Teams

Measurement and Analysis

• It is a support process area at Maturity Level 2.

Purpose

The Measurement and Analysis (MA) is used to develop and sustain a measurement capability that is used to support management information needs.

Specific Practices by Goal

• SG 1 Align Measurement and Analysis Activities
• SP 1.1 Establish Measurement Objectives
• SP 1.2 Specify Measures
• SP 1.3 Specify Data Collection and Storage Procedures
• SP 1.4 Specify Analysis Procedures
• SG 2 Provide Measurement Results
• SP 2.1 Collect Measurement Data
• SP 2.2 Analyze Measurement Data
• SP 2.3 Store Data and Results
• SP 2.4 Communicate Results

Organizational Innovation and Deployment

• It is a Process Management process area at Maturity Level 5.

Purpose

The Organizational Innovation and Deployment (OID) are used to select and deploy incremental and innovative improvements that measurably improve the organization's processes and technologies. The improvements support the organization's quality and process-performance objectives as derived from the organization's business objectives.

Specific Practices by Goal

• SG 1 Select Improvements
• SP 1.1 Collect and Analyze Improvement Proposals
• SP 1.2 Identify and Analyze Innovations
• SP 1.3 Pilot Improvements
• SP 1.4 Select Improvements for Deployment
• SG 2 Deploy Improvements
• SP 2.1 Plan the Deployment areas
• SP 2.2 Manage the Deployment
• SP 2.3 Measure Improvement Effects

Organizational Process Definition + IPPD

• It is a Process Management process area at Maturity Level 3.

Purpose

The Organizational Process Definition + IPPD (OPD) are used to establish and maintain a usable set of organizational process assets.

Specific Practices by Goal

• SG 1 Establish Organizational Process Assets
• SP 1.1 Establish Standard Processes
• SP 1.2 Establish Life-Cycle Model Descriptions
• SP 1.3 Establish Tailoring Criteria and Guidelines
• SP 1.4 Establish the Organization's Measurement Repository
• SP 1.5 Establish the Organization's Process Asset Library

IPPD Addition:

• SG 2 Enable IPPD Management
• SP 2.1 Establish Empowerment Mechanisms
• SP 2.2 Establish Rules and Guidelines for Integrated Teams
• SP 2.3 Balance Team and Home Organization Responsibilities

Organizational Process Focus

• It is a Process Management process area at Maturity Level 3.

Purpose

The Organizational Process Focus (OPF) is used to plan and implement organizational process improvement based on a thorough understanding of the current strengths and weaknesses of the organization's processes and process assets.

Specific Practices by Goal

• SG 1 Determine Process Improvement Opportunities
• SP 1.1 Establish Organizational Process Needs
• SP 1.2 Appraise the Organization's Processes
• SP 1.3 Identify the Organization's Process Improvements
• SG 2 Plan and Implement Process Improvement Activities
• SP 2.1 Establish Process Action Plans
• SP 2.2 Implement Process Action Plans
• SG 3 Deploy Organizational Process Assets and Incorporate Lessons Learned
• SP 3.1 Deploy Organizational Process Assets
• SP 3.2 Deploy Standard Processes
• SP 3.3 Monitor Implementation
• SP 3.4 Incorporate Process-Related Experiences into the Organizational Process Assets

Organizational Process Performance

• It is a Process Management process area at Maturity Level 4.

Purpose

The Organizational Process Performance (OPP) is used to establish and maintain a quantitative understanding of the performance of the organization's set of standard processes in support of quality and process-performance objectives and to provide the best process performance data, baselines, and models to quantitatively manage the organization's projects.

Specific Practices by Goal

• SG 1 Establish Performance Baselines and Models
• SP 1.1 Select Processes
• SP 1.2 Establish Process Performance Measures
• SP 1.3 Establish Quality and Process Performance Objectives
• SP 1.4 Establish Process Performance Baselines
• SP 1.5 Establish Process Performance Models

Organizational Training

• It is a Process Management process area at Maturity Level 3.

Purpose

The Organizational Training (OT) is used to develop the skills and knowledge of people so they can perform their roles effectively and efficiently.

Specific Practices by Goal

• SG 1 Establish an Organizational Training Capability
• SP 1.1 Establish the Strategic Training Needs
• SP 1.2 Determine Which Training Needs Are the Responsibility of the Organization
• SP 1.3 Establish an Organizational Training Tactical Plan
• SP 1.4 Establish Training Capability
• SG 2 Provide Necessary Training
• SP 2.1 Deliver Training
• SP 2.2 Establish Training Records
• SP 2.3 Assess Training Effectiveness

Product Integration

• It is an Engineering process area at Maturity Level 3.

Purpose

The Product Integration (PI) is used to assemble the product from the product components, make sure that the product, as integrated functions properly and deliver the right product.

Specific Practices by Goal

• SG 1 Prepare for Product Integration
• SP 1.1 Determine Integration Sequence
• SP 1.2 Establish the Product Integration Environment
• SP 1.3 Establish Product Integration Procedures and Criteria
• SG 2 Ensure Interface Compatibility
• SP 2.1 Review Interface Descriptions for Completeness
• SP 2.2 Manage Interfaces
• SG 3 Assemble Product Components and Deliver the Product
• SP 3.1 Confirm Readiness of Product Components for Integration
• SP 3.2 Assemble Product Components
• SP 3.3 Evaluate Assembled Product Components
• SP 3.4 Package and Deliver the Product or Product Component

Project Monitoring and Control

• It is a Project Management process area at Maturity Level 2.

Purpose

The Project Monitoring and Control (PMC) are used to provide an understanding of the project's progress so that appropriate corrective actions can be taken when the project's performance deviates significantly from the plan.

Specific Practices by Goal

• SG 1 Monitor Project Against Plan
• SP 1.1 Monitor Project Planning Parameters
• SP 1.2 Monitor Commitments
• SP 1.3 Monitor Project Risks
• SP 1.4 Monitor Data Management
• SP 1.5 Monitor Stakeholder Involvement
• SP 1.6 Conduct Progress Reviews
• SP 1.7 Conduct Milestone Reviews
• SG 2 Manage Corrective Action to Closure
• SP 2.1 Analyze Issues
• SP 2.2 Take Corrective Action
• SP 2.3 Manage Corrective Action

Project Planning

• It is a Project Management process area at Maturity Level 2.

Purpose

The Project Planning (PP) is used to establish and maintain plans that define project activities.

Specific Practices by Goal

• SG 1 Establish Estimates
• SP 1.1 Estimate the Scope of the Project
• SP 1.2 Establish Estimates of Work Product and Task Attributes
• SP 1.3 Define Project Life Cycle
• SP 1.4 Determine Estimates of Effort and Cost
• SG 2 Develop a Project Plan
• SP 2.1 Establish the Budget and Schedule
• SP 2.2 Identify Project Risks
• SP 2.3 Plan for Data Management
• SP 2.4 Plan for Project Resources
• SP 2.5 Plan for Needed Knowledge and Skills
• SP 2.6 Plan Stakeholder Involvement
• SP 2.7 Establish the Project Plan
• SG 3 Obtain Commitment to the Plan
• SP 3.1 Review Plans that Affect the Project
• SP 3.2 Reconcile Work and Resource Levels
• SP 3.3 Obtain Plan Commitment

Process and Product Quality Assurance

• It is a support process area at Maturity Level 2.

Purpose

The Process and Product Quality Assurance (PPQA) is used to provide staff and management with objective overview into processes and associated work products.

Specific Practices by Goal

• SG 1 Objectively Evaluate Processes and Work Products
• SP 1.1 Objectively Evaluate Processes
• SP 1.2 Objectively Evaluate Work Products and Services
• SG 2 Provide Objective Insight
• SP 2.1 Communicate and Ensure Resolution of Noncompliance Issues
• SP 2.2 Establish Records

Quantitative Project Management

• It is a Project Management process area at Maturity Level 4.

Purpose

The Quantitative Project Management (QPM), process area is to quantitatively manage the project's defined process to achieve the project's established quality and process-performance goals.

Specific Practices by Goal

• SG 1 Quantitatively Manage the Project
• SP 1.1 Establish the Project's Objectives
• SP 1.2 Compose the Defined Processes
• SP 1.3 Select the Sub-processes that Will Be Statistically Managed
• SP 1.4 Manage Project Performance
• SG 2 Statistically Manage Sub-process Performance
• SP 2.1 Select Measures and Analytic Techniques
• SP 2.2 Apply Statistical Methods to Understand Variation
• SP 2.3 Monitor Performance of the Selected Sub-processes
• SP 2.4 Record Statistical Management Data

Requirements Development

• It is an Engineering process area at Maturity Level 3.

Purpose

The Requirements Development (RD) is used to produce and analyze customer, product-component requirements and product.

Specific Practices by Goal

• SG 1 Develop Customer Requirements
• SP 1.1 Elicit Needs
• SP 1.2 Develop the Customer Requirements
• SG 2 Develop Product Requirements
• SP 2.1 Establish Product and Product-Component Requirements
• SP 2.2 Allocate Product-Component Requirements
• SP 2.3 Identify Interface Requirements
• SG 3 Analyze and Validate Requirements
• SP 3.1 Establish Operational Concepts and Scenarios
• SP 3.2 Establish a Definition of Required Functionality
• SP 3.3 Analyze Requirements
• SP 3.4 Analyze Requirements to Achieve Balance
• SP 3.5 Validate Requirements

Requirements Management

• It is an Engineering process area at Maturity Level 2.

Purpose

The Requirements Management (REQM) is used to manage the requirements of the project's products and product components and to identify inconsistencies between those requirements and the project's plans and work products.

Specific Practices by Goal

• SG 1 Manage Requirements
• SP 1.1 Obtain an Understanding of Requirements
• SP 1.2 Obtain Commitment to Requirements
• SP 1.3 Manage Requirements Changes
• SP 1.4 Maintain Bidirectional Traceability of Requirements
• SP 1.5 Identify Inconsistencies between Project Work and Requirements

Risk Management

• It is a Project Management process area at Maturity Level 3.

Purpose

The Risk Management (RSKM) is used to identify potential problems before they occur so that risk-handling activities can be planned and invoked as needed across the life of the product or project to mitigate adverse impacts on achieving objectives.

Specific Practices by Goal

• SG 1 Prepare for Risk Management
• SP 1.1 Determine Risk Sources and Categories
• SP 1.2 Define Risk Parameters
• SP 1.3 Establish a Risk Management Strategy
• SG 2 Identify and Analyze Risks
• SP 2.1 Identify Risks
• SP 2.2 Evaluate, Categorize, and Prioritize Risks
• SG 3 Mitigate Risks
• SP 3.1 Develop Risk Mitigation Plans
• SP 3.2 Implement Risk Mitigation Plans

Supplier Agreement Management

• It is a Project Management process area at Maturity Level 2.

Purpose

The Supplier Agreement Management (SAM) is used to manage the acquisition of products from distributors for which there exists a formal agreement.

Specific Practices by Goal

• SG 1 Establish Supplier Agreements
• SP 1.1 Determine Acquisition Type
• SP 1.2 Select Suppliers
• SP 1.3 Establish Supplier Agreements
• SG 2 Satisfy Supplier Agreements
• SP 2.1 Execute the Supplier Agreement
• SP 2.2 Monitor Selected Supplier Processes
• SP 2.3 Evaluate Selected Supplier Work Products
• SP 2.4 Accept the Acquired Product
• SP 2.5 Transition Products

Technical Solution

• It is an Engineering process area at Maturity Level 3.

Purpose

The Technical Solution (TS) is used to design, develop, and implement solutions to requirements. Here solutions, designs, and implementations encompass products, product components, and product-related life-cycle processes.

Specific Practices by Goal

• SG 1 Select Product-Component Solutions
• SP 1.1 Develop Alternative Solutions and Selection Criteria
• SP 1.2 Select Product Component Solutions
• SG 2 Develop the Design
• SP 2.1 Design the Product or Product Component
• SP 2.2 Establish a Technical Data Package
• SP 2.3 Design Interfaces Using Criteria
• SP 2.4 Perform Make, Buy, or Reuse Analysis
• SG 3 Implement the Product Design
• SP 3.1 Implement the Design
• SP 3.2 Develop Product Support Documentation

Validation

• It is an Engineering process area at Maturity Level 3.

Purpose

The Validation (VAL) is used to demonstrate that a product/product component fulfills its specific use when placed in its specific environment.

Specific Practices by Goal

• SG 1 Prepare for Validation
• SP 1.1 Select Products for Validation
• SP 1.2 Establish the Validation Environment
• SP 1.3 Establish Validation Procedures and Criteria
• SG 2 Validate Product or Product Components
• SP 2.1 Perform Validation
• SP 2.2 Analyze Validation Results.

Verification

• It is an Engineering process area at Maturity Level 3.

Purpose

The Verification (VER) is used to make sure that selected work products meet their intended requirements.

Specific Practices by Goal

• SG 1 Prepare for Verification
• SP 1.1 Select Work Products for Verification
• SP 1.2 Establish the Verification Environment
• SP 1.3 Establish Verification Procedures and Criteria
• SG 2 Perform Peer Reviews
• SP 2.1 Prepare for Peer Reviews
• SP 2.2 Conduct Peer Reviews
• SP 2.3 Analyze Peer Review Data
• SG 3 Verify Selected Work Products
• SP 3.1 Perform Verification
• SP 3.2 Analyze Verification Results

Changes Made into Version 1.2:

• The following Process Areas have been removed (all on Maturity Level 3):
• Organizational Environment for Integration (OEI)
• Integrated Teaming (IT)
• Integrated Supplier Management (ISM)
• The following additions have been made within existing Process Areas:
• IPM . SG3 and SG4 were eliminated, new SG3 was added (all IPPD PAs)
• OPD . SG was added, turning it in an IPPD PA
• OPF . two SPs were extracted from SG and created SG3 together with two new SPs
• REQD . SP3.5 was renamed Validate Requirements
• SAM . SP2.1 was eliminated, two new SPs added in SG2
• TS . SP1.2 was eliminated
• VER . SP3.2 was renamed Analyze Verification Results

Specific Practices vs. Generic Practices:

NOTATIONS: Generic Goals (GG), Generic Practice (GP), Specific Practices (SP) and Specific Goals (SG).

Specific Practices: Apply to a single process area                                             Describe activities that implement the process area            Example: Requirements Mgmt. SG 1 Manage Requirements SP 1.1  Obtain an Understanding of Requirements SP 1.2  Obtain Commitment to Requirements SP 1.3  Manage Requirements Changes SP 1.4  Maintain Bidirectional Traceability of Requirements SP 1.5  Identify Inconsistencies between Project Work and Requirements

Generic Practices: Apply to all process areas Describe activities that institutionalize the process areas   GG 2 Institutionalize a Managed Process GP 2.1 Establish an Organizational Policy GP 2.2 Plan the Process GP 2.3 Provide Resources GP 2.4 Assign Responsibility GP 2.5 Train People GP 2.6 Manage Configurations GP 2.7 Identify and Involve Relevant Stakeholders GP 2.8 Monitor and Control the Process GP 2.9 Objectively Evaluate Adherence GP 2.10 Review Status with Higher Level Management GG 3 Institutionalize a Defined Process GP 3.1 Establish a Defined Process GP 3.2 Collect Improvement Information