What is Capability Maturity Model (CMM)

The Capability Maturity Model (CMM) is a methodology used to develop and refine an organization's software development process. CMM was developed and is promoted by the Software Engineering Institute (SEI), a research and development center sponsored by the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD).

The CMM ranks software development organizations in a hierarchy of five levels, each with a progressively greater capability of producing quality software. Each level is described as a level of maturity.

Levels of the CMM

According to the SEI,

"Predictability, effectiveness, and control of an organization's software processes are believed to improve as the organization moves up these five levels. While not rigorous, the empirical evidence to date supports this belief."

 Level 1 – Initial

 Maturity level 1 organizations usually does not provide a stable environment and often produce products and services that work; however, they frequently exceed the budget and schedule of their projects.

 Level 2 – Repeatable

 At maturity level 2, software development successes are repeatable. The organization may use some basic project management to track cost and schedule. Project status and the delivery of services are visible to management at defined points (for example, at major milestones and at the completion of major tasks).

 Level 3 – Defined

 At maturity level 3, processes are well characterized and understood, and are described in standards, procedures, tools, and methods. The organization’s management establishes process objectives based on the organization’s set of standard processes and ensures that these objectives are appropriately addressed.

Level 4 – Managed

Using precise measurements, management can effectively control the software development effort. In particular, management can identify ways to adjust and adapt the process to particular projects without measurable losses of quality or deviations from specifications.

 Level 5 – Optimizing

Optimizing processes that are nimble, adaptable and innovative depends on the participation of an empowered workforce aligned with the business values and objectives of the organization. The organization’s ability to rapidly respond to changes and opportunities is enhanced by finding ways to accelerate and share learning.

 The CMM describes an evolutionary improvement path from an ad hoc, immature process to a mature, disciplined process. The CMM covers practices for planning, engineering, and managing software development and maintenance. When followed, these key practices improve the ability of organizations to meet goals for cost, schedule, functionality, and product quality.

 References: Wikipedia –The Free Encyclopedia and Internet.