Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Figure 2. Original CMM levels
and functionality. Level 3 (Defined) is referred to
software development efforts in which a standard-
ized system development methodology is used on
all system projects. Level 4 (Managed) refers to
those software development organizations which
are able to establish and monitor measurable goals
for quality and productivity. Finally, in level 5
(Optimizing), the chosen standardized system
development process is continuously monitored
and improved based on measures and data analysis
established in Level 4.
improvement based on continuous attempts to
enhance existing processes and bring them ever
closed to some optimized level.
Other efforts to apply the CMM have produced
conceptual frameworks with different emphases
and level monikers. For example the People CMM
(see above) consists of Initial, Managed, Defined,
Predictable and Optimizing levels. As is true for
all models, even though they all fall short of ac-
curately depicting reality, the choice of descrip-
tors is critical for the function of communicating
meaning. Consequently, GITM departs from the
original number of levels and level names.
Applying the Capability Maturity
Model
Identifying Key Process
Areas, Goals and Practices
Although CMM is mostly known for its appli-
cation to organizational software development,
historically, there have several efforts to apply
the Capability Maturity Model to other areas
of organizational and IT activity. For example,
Curtis, Hefley, & Miller (2002), have applied this
approach to managing human resources and have
called it
People CMM
, Niessink et al. (2005) have
used to improve the management of IT services,
and the National Association of State Chief In-
formation Officers (NASCIO) (2003) has used it
to work toward improving IT architecture. The
unifying concept behind all of these efforts is the
notion of systematic and progressive capability
CMM authors - in addition to delineation of
process levels - have also conceptualized a tool
to aid organizations in analysis and planning of
CMM implementation. Figure 3 portrays this tool.
Maturity Levels contain Key Process Areas which
are organized by Common Features, which in turn
contain Key Practices. Maturity levels indicate
process capability; key process areas achieve
goals; common practices address implementation
or institutionalization; and key practices describe
the infrastructure or activities.
