Background
This topic contains questions and answers about the CMMI project and its history, participants, requirements, and purpose.
Contents:
- What does CMMI stand for?
- What is the CMMI Product Suite?
- What is the purpose of the CMMI Product Suite?
- What is the purpose of the CMMI Project?
- Who maintains the CMMI Product Suite?
- What responsibilities does the SEI have as the steward of CMMI?
What does CMMI stand for?
CMMI stands for Capability Maturity Model Integration. CMMI is a process improvement approach that provides organizations with the essential elements of effective processes. It can be used to guide process improvement across a project, a division, or an entire organization. CMMI helps integrate traditionally separate organizational functions, set process improvement goals and priorities, provide guidance for quality processes, and provide a point of reference for appraising current processes.
return to top
What is the CMMI Product Suite?
The CMMI Product Suite is a set of CMMI-related products that enables users to improve their processes. These products include CMMI models, a guidebook, SCAMPI appraisal methods, and CMMI training courses.
CMMI models and the guidebook are accessible from the CMMI Models and Modules Web page at http://www.sei.cmu.edu/cmmi/models/.
SCAMPI information is accessible from the CMMI Appraisals Web page at http://www.sei.cmu.edu/cmmi/appraisals/.
Descriptions of CMMI courses and registration information are accessible from the CMMI Training Web page at http://www.sei.cmu.edu/cmmi/training/.
return to topWhat is the purpose of the CMMI Product Suite?
The purpose of the CMMI Product Suite is to improve efficiency, return on investment, and effectiveness of process improvement. CMMI integrates interdependent disciplines that are related to a particular area of interest. For example, the CMMI for Development model integrates the disciplines that comprise processes that develop and maintain products and services.
return to topWhat is the purpose of the CMMI Project?
The purpose of the CMMI project is to support the development and maintenance of the CMMI Product Suite in a way that meets the needs of its users.
return to topWho maintains the CMMI Product Suite?
The CMMI Steering Group, CMMI Product Team, and CMMI Configuration Control Board maintain the CMMI Product Suite. The CMMI Product Suite is maintained on behalf of its sponsors, the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) and National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA) sponsors.
return to topWhat responsibilities does the SEI have as the steward of CMMI?
As the steward of all CMM-related intellectual property (including the CMMI products) produced within Carnegie Mellon, the SEI does the following:
- supports the transition of CMMI into broad use across government and industry
- maintains and evolves CMMI in a way that best meets the needs of the community
- ensures that the quality of present and future CMMI products is protected for the Department of Defense, its suppliers, and users of the products
- ensures a reliable, valid, and consistent set of products and services for users
For more detailed information about the role of the SEI as the steward of CMMI, see the CMMI Stewardship Plan at http://www.sei.cmu.edu/cmmi/background/stewardship-plan.html.
return to topIf you have a question that is not answered within this FAQ, check the CMMI FAQ Main Page or send email to an SEI person at cmmi-comments@sei.cmu.edu. You will receive a response within 48 hours.