Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
The answer to this question is:
Yo u d o n 't n e e d t o w a i t , a n d y o u s h o u l d n 't !
The reason some erroneously believe you have to wait is because the Causal
Analysis and Resolution (CAR) Process Area is at level 5 in the staged repre-
sentation of the model. However, when you use the Continuous
Representation of the CMMI model, you can use whatever practices can help
your organization based on your business needs. This is one reason why the
Continuous Representation of the model is preferred for Agile organizations.
Agile and Lean techniques provide effective
“
how-to” techniques that can
work together with the CMMI practices.
Agile, Lean, and the CMMI are not in conflict, but rather can help each other
and help you achieve business objectives fast.
For more information on Lean techniques, refer to [16, 17, 18, 19].
3.13 Back to the Case Study: How CMMI, Agile, and Lean
Can Help Together
In our case study, we were addressing two real problems: cost/schedule over-
runs and late hardware. We needed specific objective data to verify we were
tackling the correct root cause. As soon as the data was gathered, we needed
to analyze it and act on it. The CMMI model helps us with the
“
what to do”; in
this case,
Gather, Analyze, Act
.
10
Lean and Agile techniques help us with the
“how to do it”; in this case,
Timely short cycles
, and
small empowered teams
.
It has been my experience that when organizations over-focus their attention
on the level 2/3 practices, there is a tendency to miss the valuable business-
focused help that can be provided through the higher CMMI level practices.
Although LACM was not formally using the CMMI level 4/5 practices at the
time, we were effectively achieving the intent of these practices through this
effort.
LESSON 5
Consider using selective CMMI level 4 and 5 practices with Agile/Lean
techniques to address key business objectives.
10. Refer to QPM Process Area, Specific Practice 2.1, “Select Measures and Analytic Techniques,” and
CAR Process Area Specific Practice 2.1, “Implement the Action Proposals.”
