Model Download

The Carnegie Mellon Software Engineering Institute (SEI) proudly announces the release of CMMI for Services, Version 1.2, a CMMI model designed to help service provider organizations reduce costs, improve quality, and improve the predictability of schedules.

The Model

CMMI-SVC provides guidance to service organizations for establishing, managing, and delivering services that meet the needs of customers and users.

CMMI-SVC provides best practices that service providers can use when they

Decide what services they should be providing, define standard services, and let people know about them
Make sure they have everything they need to deliver a service, including people, processes, consumables, and equipment
Get new systems in place, change existing systems, retire obsolete systems, all while making sure nothing goes terribly wrong with the service
Set up agreements, take care of service requests, and operate service systems
Make sure they have the resources needed to deliver services and that services are available when needed—at an appropriate cost
Handle what goes wrong—and prevent it from going wrong in the first place if possible
Ensure they are ready to recover from potential disasters and get back to delivering services if the disaster occurs

CMMI-SVC has many similarities to and complements other CMMI models, including CMMI for Development (CMMI-DEV) and CMMI for Acquisition (CMMI-ACQ). The terminology, structure, and many practices are shared by these three CMMI models.

CMMI-SVC V1.2 is the result of the combined efforts of industry, government, and the SEI. It was sponsored by the CMMI Steering Group.

Although this model is the initial release of the CMMI-SVC model, the version number is "V1.2." The reason for this version number is to indicate that this model is consistent with and complements CMMI-DEV, V1.2.

Training

The SEI provides training that supports CMMI-SVC. Initially, a one-day course is available. Prerequisites for this one-day training course include the successful completion of the Introduction to CMMI, V1.2 course that now covers CMMI-DEV, V1.2.

A new three-day course is planned, available later in 2009, which will have no prerequisites and will focus entirely on the CMMI for Services model.

The Appraisal Method

The Standard CMMI Appraisal Method for Process Improvement (SCAMPI) is an appraisal method designed to evaluate an organization’s processes using a CMMI model, including CMMI-SVC. This method is applicable to serve a wide range of purposes, including internal process improvement and external capability determinations. SCAMPI A appraisals are officially recognized appraisals that result in benchmark quality ratings (e.g., maturity levels). SCAMPI B & C are less rigorous appraisals designed to provide information on approach to improvement or the status of process improvement implementations.

The current SCAMPI appraisal method is applicable to version 1.2 of CMMI-SVC, CMMI-ACQ, and CMMI-DEV models. However, no SCAMPI A appraisals using CMMI-SVC will be accepted by the SEI for the first six months after the model’s release. In other words, SCAMPI A appraisals will only be accepted with an on-site start date of August 26, 2009 or later. Other classes of appraisals (SCAMPI B&C) may be used during the first six months to monitor process improvement progress.

SCAMPI A appraisals are conducted by SEI-authorized lead appraisers. SEI Partners—organizations authorized by the SEI that have lead appraisers on staff—can be hired to perform both informal and formal appraisals. SCAMPI Lead Appraisers undergo rigorous classroom instruction, testing, and observations before becoming authorized by the SEI. For those who wish to be appraised at a higher maturity (levels 4 or 5), only Certified High Maturity Lead Appraisers may conduct the appraisal.