What is CMMI?
CMMI is a process improvement model that is used to rate the maturity of organisations’ processes. It was developed by the Software Engineering Institute (SEI) at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) in Pittsburgh in the USA to assist companies from a host of sectors improve their ability to develop high quality software and systems.The model has become widely accepted across the world. Research done by the SEI into numerous projects performed by level four and five CMMI rated companies reveals that companies with mature processes have a far lower error margin, improving their ability to meet their targets, on time and within budget.
The five maturity levels of CMMI:
CMMI assists lower level companies with issues like planning, project monitoring and control, measurement, requirements management and putting in place proper contracts with clients and suppliers.
It then moves on in the higher levels, helping companies to define policy frameworks and introduce best practise. Furthermore, it increases improves the predictive power of an organisation, optimises quality, reduces costs and increases efficiency.