Using relevant best practices from the CMMI (Capability Maturity Model Integration) for Acquisition (CMMI-ACQ) model, this primer defines effective and efficient practices for acquisition projects. These best practices address activities that include monitoring and controlling contractors and suppliers that develop products and services and deliver services. The practices in this primer provide a foundation for acquisition process discipline and rigor that enables product and service development and service delivery to be repeatedly executed for ultimate acquisition success.

This primer can be used by projects that acquire products or services in government and non-government organizations to improve acquisition processes. Selected content of the CMMI-ACQ model is used in this primer as a basis for helping readers unfamiliar with CMMI to begin their process improvement journey. After using this primer, most organizations will want to implement the CMMI-ACQ model.

This primer can also be used by acquisition organizations that manage several related acquisition projects (e.g., product centers, acquisition commands) to establish an acquisition process improvement program. However, organizations at that level should consider using the CMMI-ACQ model instead because it includes organizational process management practices.