Understanding Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI)

If you’re running a software company, you will always strive to design a roadmap that will continuously guide your business to improve at software development, product creation, and service delivery to meet the highest level of customer satisfaction. This is where Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI) comes into the picture. CMMI guides you on how to do a project without tripping your budget or missing deadlines to keep customers happy and maintain a high reputation in the market. In this detailed guide, let’s learn more about this fantastic framework and how it works. 

What is Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI)?

CMMI is an ideal framework that guides businesses from the beginner level of managing projects to becoming experts in the market. CMMI was first developed in the late 1980s and 1990s by the Software Engineering Institute (SEI) to help the U.S. Department of Defence (DoD) manage various contractors to deliver high-quality software and systems on time and within budget. The present CMMI framework is the improved version of the original CMM model. It combines the best parts of different CMM models, like Software CMM, Systems Engineering CMM, and People CMM, to help companies assess their progress against the standard benchmark at any stage of the development cycle.

Objectives of CMMI 

CMMI’s objectives include to: 

• Improve process efficiency through streamlined organisational processes
• Ensure products or services meet high-quality standards
• Reduce risks in project management, development, and delivery 
• Increase customer satisfaction through on-time project delivery 
• Facilitate continuous improvement for better performance 
• Standardise processes across the organisation 
• Provide data-driven insights to support strategic decisions 
• Help the organisation achieve a competitive advantage in the business 

CMMI Implementation

Correct implementation of CMMI frameworks helps organisations improve work processes, boost quality, and increase efficiency per pre-defined metrics. Many software companies are already following CMMI’s structured approach to managing projects, developing quality software, and meeting industry standards in India. A great example is Tata Consultancy Services (TCS). The company leveraged the CMMI approach and is now at the highest level—level 5. 

TCS Journey to CMMI Level 5: A Case Study 

In 2011, TCS became the first company in the world to achieve CMMI level 5 for its software services and development. Let’s examine the key steps the company followed to accomplish this feat. 

1. Organisational Commitment 

Since the beginning of its service, TCS has prioritised quality and process discipline in its development cycle. This level of commitment fostered continuous improvement across the organisation. The aim was to make employees acknowledge the value of working according to standard processes and continuous improvement. 

2. Process Definition and Implementation

TCS developed a standardised process for different areas of the software development cycle across the organisation and ensured its consistency. 

3. Process Improvement

Further, the company used tools and technologies to improve the standard through quality feedback collection. TCS implemented the Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) framework to identify areas for continuous improvement in the long term. 

4. Training and Development  

TCS provided ample training to its employees to cope and grow with the CMMI process. 

5. CMMI Appraisal 

With all boxes ticked, TCS underwent a rigorous CMMI appraisal to learn the best practices for meeting the status of CMMI Level 5. 

6. Sustained improvement 

Even after receiving the CMMI Level 5 status, the company optimises and enhances its standard processes to ensure sustained improvement. 

CMMI Maturity Levels

The CMMI model divides an organisation’s process maturity into five levels. The aim is to reach each level and focus on maintenance and regular progress. Here are five different maturity levels of the CMMI framework: 

Maturity Level 1: Initial 

This is the initial planning stage, where companies heavily rely on individual efforts rather than reliable methods. 

Maturity Level 2: Managed

In this stage, the organisation starts to plan, execute, measure, and monitor projects systematically (e.g., using a project management tool) to meet goals on time and within budget. 

Maturity Level 3: Defined

By this stage, the organisation has established standard practices for everyone to follow to improve quality and efficiency. 

Maturity Level 4: Quantitatively Managed

Projects at this stage are well-managed through clearly defined metrics and statistical methods to minimise errors and achieve high-quality results. 

Maturity Level 5: Optimising 

This is the highest level of work framework where processes are stable and adaptable, allowing room for continuous improvement. 

CMMI Capability Levels

Besides maturity levels, CMMI includes capability levels to help businesses evaluate their performance and progress in specific areas. 

Capability Level 0: Incomplete

The process is not fully developed at this level and may lead to unpredictable outcomes. The process lacks goals and clarity. 

Capability Level 1: Initial 

The organisation is starting to address performance issues through individual efforts. Still, it lacks a formal and reactive process for replicating success. 

Capability Level 2: Managed

Here, the organisation implements basic practices to manage and control the process. Gradually, the process area begins to show visible improvements. 

Capability Level 3: Defined

Established organisational standards are well-documented at this level to replicate consistency across similar projects. 

Capability Level 4: Quantitatively Managed 

On this level, the organisation learns how to use data and quantitative techniques to monitor and manage the process with better control. 

Capability Level 5: Optimising 

The process is stable at the highest capability level, but the organisation seeks ways to improve it. 

Benefits of the CMMI Framework

Integrating the CMMI framework into your process can offer you the following benefits: 

• It helps you meet industry standards and necessary compliances 
• Improves communication and collaboration among teams
• It teaches you how to optimise your resources better 
• Supports easy scalability of your process as you grow 
• Reduces process variation across the organisation 
• Promotes best practices and lessons learned across teams
• Prepares organisations to adapt to changes and challenges quickly

Difference between CMM and CMMI

Most of the time, individuals need clarification on CMM and CMMI. However, the latter is an improvised version of the older version, i.e. CMM. Here is a quick comparison between CMMI and CMM for your reference.