The CMMI Family: CMMI for Development, CMMI for Acquisition, CMMI for Services and CMMI+ITIL for IT Operations.
The Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI) is published by the Software Engineering Institute (SEI) of the Carnegie Mellon University. CMMI is a family of process models, each of which addresses a specific domain. Currently there are three CMMI models:
- CMMI for Development (CMMI-DEV) supports improvements in organizations that develop software, systems and hardware themselves;
- CMMI for Acquisition (CMMI-ACQ) supports improvements in organizations that acquire software, systems or hardware from third-party vendors. CMMI for Acquisition v1.2 (CMMI-ACQ) was released by the SEI at the beginning of November 2007.
- CMMI for Services (CMMI-SVC) supports supports improvements in organizations that deliver services, e.g. healthcare, logistic or consulting organizations.
- CMMI for IT Operations (CITIL = CMMI+ITIL) is the integration of ITIL into the framework of CMMI models from the Software Engineering Institute (SEI) of Carnegie Mellon University. The combination of ITIL and CMMI allows IT Operations to benefit from the proven practices from CMMI. In addition, this combination covers the full product lifecycle and provides a common language and defined interfaces between operations and development.
All CMMI models have the same structure and share common elements, e.g. the process improvement, support or project management processes. The CMMI models are structured into a set of process areas which cover the practices relevant to development, acquisition or service organizations. A Capability Level can be attained for each process area; the Capability Level describes the degree to which the work in the this process area has been established in an organization. CMMI models also have Maturity Levels. The Maturity Levels prescribe a logical sequence for improving processes, they represent a yardstick against which a development organization can be assessed, and they are a recognized award in the industry.
CMMI for Development is well established as the de-facto standard for the development of software, systems, and hardware products.
A CMMI Maturity Level is a recognized Achievement
There are three distinct sizes of SCAMPI Appraisals. A SCAMPI A is comprehensive and detailed; it allows a publication of the resulting Capability Levels and Maturity Levels that are internationally recognized. SCAMPI B and SCAMPI C are less extensive and detailed. They are used for gap analysis as a support for a process improvement program. Official SCAMPI A Appraisals can only be performed by authorized SEI Lead Appraisers.
CMMI Training: standard material from the SEI
The CMMI Trainings are standardized by the Software Engineering Institute (SEI).
Trainings for the CMMI for Development v1.2 are:
Trainings for the CMMI for Acquisition v1.2 are:
There are additional trainings for members of Assesments teams, assessment leaders and CMMI instructors.
Software Capability Maturity Model (SW-CMM): The predecessor of CMMI
The Capability Maturity Model for Software (also known as the CMM and SW-CMM) is the predecessor of the CMMI (Capability Maturity Model Integration) and has been retired by the SEI. The SEI writes: "The SEI no longer maintains the SW-CMM model, its associated appraisal methods, or training materials. All SW-CMM appraisal results from CBA IPI and SCE appraisals will expire on December 31, 2007. After December 31, 2007, all SW-CMM ratings will be considered invalid and should not be advertised."
