Originally, CMM was used to refer to the Capability Maturity Model for Software, a model for judging the maturity of the software processes of an organization and forentifying the key practices that are required to increase the maturity of these processes. It was developed at the Carnegie Mellon Software Engineering Institute (SEI) The CMM was originally created to address the need to have another measure besides "lowest bidder" in determining who should win bids for Department of Defense software projects.
CMM was the first such model developed by the SEI. Other types of maturity models followed, including one focused on System Engineering. Eventually, several models were integrated, and CMM was retired by SEI, to be replaced by CMMI - the Capability Maturity Model Integration.
CMMI can be used to assess an organization against a scale of five process maturity levels. Each level ranks the organization according to its standardization of processes in the subject area being assessed.
Level 1 - Initial
At maturity level 1, processes are usually ad hoc and the organization usually does not provide a stable environment. It is sometimes said that success at this level requires "heroic" efforts.
Level 2 - Repeatable
At maturity level 2, software development successes are repeatable, although the processes may not repeat for all the projects in the organization. The organization may use some basic project management to track cost and schedule.
Level 3 - Defined
The organization's set of standard processes, which are the basis for level 3, are established and improved over time. They are used to establish consistency across the organization.
Level 4 - Quantitatively Managed
Using precise measurements, management can effectively control the software development effort. In particular, management canentify ways to adjust and adapt the process to particular projects without measurable losses of quality or deviations from specifications.
Level 5 - Optimizing
Maturity level 5 focuses on continually improving process performance through both incremental and innovative technological improvements.
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