Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI)

Article by: Ben Janse

Last update: April 29, 2023

Capability Maturity Model Integration: this article provides a practical explanation of the Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI). The article begins with a general definition of this model for software integrations, followed by an explanation of the 5 levels involved in this process. You will also find all the advantages of using this model in the real world. Enjoy reading!

What is the Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI)?

The Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI) is a method used for developing and refining software development programmes. The model simulates the evolutionary path of software development in mature processes in five steps.

Maturity refers to the level of formality and optimisation of processes, from ad-hoc activities to formally defined steps and the monitoring of result statistics to the active optimisation of the processes in development.

The Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI) can be seen as a series of structured levels that describe how behaviour, the practices and the processes of an organisation can produce the desired results in a reliable and sustainable way.

The maturity model can also be used as a benchmark tool for the comparison of results and as an aid to identify a comparison basis between different organisations.

The Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI) was developed and released by the Software Engineering Institute (SEI), a research and development centre sponsored by the U.S. Department of Defense. Although this model was developed for software development, the CMM is also used to develop and optimise business processes in general. World-wide the model is used in government offices, trade and industry.

Figure 1 – the Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI)

Capability Maturity Model Integration, the five levels

In essence, the Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI) is a standardised framework to evaluate the IT development, management processes or products in an organisation. Five levels are distinguished:

1. Initial

There is a lot of uncertainty in the initial phase of process development in an organisation. It is unknown how processes work and how they need to be improved. Success is determined by individual input and results due to a lack of procedures or other formal process descriptions and goals.

These structures can’t be repeated because there simply is no documentation on how they were reached. The uncertainty on this level is often the cause of chaotic situations, budgets to be exceeded and deadlines to be missed.

From this first level, the defining of the process is set in motion. With this, a set of process elements are determined up to the third level. Examples of possible process definition criteria are:

Goal

What is the use of the process? Is this process a crucial part of the business strategy and is this process sufficiently customer oriented?

Input

Which tools need to be accessible to execute this process. What does it cost?

Output

Which tools are produced by this process? What does it yield?

Role distribution

Who does which activities? Who has the best competences for that?

Entry criteria

When exactly and under which circumstances can these processes be enacted?

End criteria

When exactly and under which circumstances can this process be ended?

Procedures

How is the process documented so it can be repeated later?

Evaluation

How is the implementation of the process monitored? How can evaluation help to optimise?

Tools

Which tools are needed to implement the process even more efficiently?

2. Repeatable

On this level, several of the criteria above are evaluated and recorded. The information or knowledge that is recorded comes from experiences. On this second level, the process is already clearly in development and under normal circumstances this process is predictable in terms of money and time.

Because of the predictability and accuracy, the process can be repeated. The business process is repeatable from here, but when entering new methods, procedures or technologies, the development falls back to the first level. Setbacks and inconsistencies may also be detrimental for the development of the process.

3. Defined

The process in development is completely defined and under control on this level. The procedures are accurate enough, so inconsistencies occur less often. The different (additional) processes are also well-integrated in the entire organisation so a well-oiled machine is created.

Setbacks and inconsistencies are anticipated so the process can always remain operational. Despite the smooth progression, we still speak of development; the process is not yet mature.

However, this is more aimed at optimisation than shaping. Most organisations stop development of the process here because the next steps require additional investment. And the process is already effective enough.

4. Managed

On this level the process is completely controlled. The quality of the process is systematically assessed to determine deviations and improve if necessary. The process can be assessed by implementing quantitative analyses. The data produced by this is used in the optimisation of the process. An example of a model that can be used for this purpose is the SERVQUAL model.

5. Optimising

On this level, the systematic improvement of the processes has been added to the operational management. By receiving qualitative feedback, the processes are proactively amended.

Even when new technologies need to be implemented, this can also be controlled without the process losing effectiveness. This also includes preventive research into possible defects or inconsistencies that may occur.

Advantages of the Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI)

Research at the University of Missouri has shown that organisations make a lot of progress on several Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) after implementing a CMMI framework. Examples of improvements are:

Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI) ensures Consistency

The Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI) ensures that the organisation has more control over the predictability and consistency of procedures and other processes. By focussing on the customer, it is possible to make better predictions and prognoses about the need for a product or service, for example.

Market share

In the competitive market, both within the information technology and outside it, development and innovation is of great importance. The use of CMM facilitates faster response to new customer needs, for example, to stay ahead of the competition.

Cost saving

By using Capability Maturity model, mistakes in the existing and new procedures are noticed, after which measures can be taken if necessary. The more quickly mistakes are resolved, the less costs accompany them. Moreover, analysis of the process may uncover unnecessary steps or actions and thus allow people to work more efficiently. This may increase the productivity.

Development

The Capability Maturity model describes different phases in the development of a process. The speed at which development takes place depends on the capacities of the organisation to develop.

By continuously developing processes, an organisation can stay ahead of the competition. However, the financial tools do need to be available for this.

Now it’s your turn

What do you think? Do you recognise the explanation of the Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI)? Do you think you can also optimise certain processes in your business or environment? What do you think are the aspects that contribute to the effective development of business processes?

Share your experience and knowledge in the comments box below.

More information

Paulk, M. C., Curtis, B., Chrissis, M. B., & Weber, C. V. (1993). Capability maturity model, version 1.1. IEEE software, 10(4), 18-27.
Paulk, M. C., Weber, C. V., Garcia, S. M., Chrissis, M. B. C., & Bush, M. (1993). Key practices of the capability maturity model version 1.1.
Herbsleb, J., Zubrow, D., Goldenson, D., Hayes, W., & Paulk, M. (1997). Software quality and the capability maturity model. Communications of the ACM, 40(6), 30-40.

How to cite this article:
Janse, B. (2018). Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI). Retrieved [insert date] from Toolshero: https://www.toolshero.com/information-technology/capability-maturity-model-integration/

Original publication date: 06/08/2018 | Last update: 04/29/2023

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Article by:

Ben Janse

Ben Janse is a young professional working at ToolsHero as Content Manager. He is also an International Business student at Rotterdam Business School where he focusses on analyzing and developing management models. Thanks to his theoretical and practical knowledge, he knows how to distinguish main- and side issues and to make the essence of each article clearly visible.