Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI) is a process excellence framework. It helps organizations improve and manage operations to achieve efficient, repeatable, and predictable output.
What is Capability Maturation Model Integration
The model was initially developed in 1987 as the Capability Maturity Model (CMM) by Carnegie Mellon University’s Software Institute, in partnership with the US Government.
It subsequently evolved to integrate different maturity models into one and was renamed CMMI.
The most current CMMI version is v2.0, released in March 2018.
Today, it is administered by the CMMI Institute, a subsidiary of ISACA (formerly the Information Systems Audit and Control Association).
The model is used in multiple industries globally by thousands of companies committed to delivering predictable, repeatable process outcome and customer satisfaction.
Initially focused on software development, the framework is now used across sectors and industries, including product development, service management, and service acquisition. It guides process improvement in a project, across a division, or throughout an organization.
CMMI describes five levels of capability maturity for business processes, provides a progress roadmap to move from a level to the next, and offers a reference to appraise current methods.
Maturity Levels are documented stages that provide additional layers toward achieving a mature operational process.
CMMI Levels
The five organizational maturity levels are:
- Initial
- Managed
- Defined
- Quantitatively Managed
- Optimizing
Each maturity level provides a foundation required to implement the next level’s processes effectively.
Levels 4 and 5 are considered high levels of maturity.
Businesses embracing CMMI aim to reach Level 5, the highest maturity level, thus providing a stable and reliable environment and a predictable outcome.
Maturity Level 1 – Initial
Organizations at CMMI Level 1 do not provide a stable process environment. Processes are often ad hoc and chaotic. Results are unpredictable and undocumented. Work generally gets done, but companies experience schedule delays, and projects often go over budget.
Maturity Level 2 – Managed
Requirements are managed but processes are often reactive. Projects are planned and executed in a controlled way. Documented plans exist. Performance is repeatable. Progress is visible to management at defined points in time and communicated to project stakeholders. Results are more consistent.
Maturity Level 3 – Defined
Processes are described in more detail and become understood. Standard project descriptions and procedures are established to guide the organizations’ future projects and business units. Process guidelines are now more consistent across the board, except for project-specific customization. Process outcome becomes qualitatively predictable.
Maturity Level 4 – Quantitatively Managed
Sub-processes that significantly contribute to process performance are identified and selected. Quantitative objectives are defined and based on the needs of the customers, end-users, or organizations. Statistical data is collected, analyzed, and leveraged to measure performance, eliminate deficiencies, and improve results. Process outcome becomes quantitatively predictable.
Maturity Level 5 – Optimizing
Variation is quantitatively measured. Processes are continually improved. Quantitative improvements are updated to reflect changes. Organizations respond to change rapidly. Learning is accelerated. Progress is every employee’s responsibility. Causes of variations are iteratively targeted to achieve further improvement. New improvement efforts focus on adapting to new data and continuing to improve while maintaining maturity level.
Benefits of Using CMMI
CMMI is a framework to improve business performance across companies and industries. It provides a roadmap, steps to progress, and information to appraise status. Businesses that adhere to the CMMI framework become more efficient, produce better results, and do so consistently and predictably.
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