SEI Partner Network Newsletter

In this issue:

• SEI Partner News
• CMMI Licensing Portfolio Lead, Pat Copelin
• SEPG North America 2008
• CMMI for Acquisition Class
• SEI Partner Advisory Board News
• SEI Announces First Certified Software Architecture: Principles and Practices (SAPP) Instructor
• Ethics and Compliance News
• CMMI Product Suite News
• Certification News
• TSP Product Suite News
• SEI News

SEI Partner News

Welcome to the first Partner Newsletter of 2008. Happy New Year!  We are gearing up for an exciting SEPG North America in Tampa, Florida, and we hope to see most of you there.

Welcome to New CMMI and People CMM Licensing Portfolio Lead, Pat Copelin

Effective January 29, Patricia Copelin joined the SEI Partner Network Team as the CMMI and People CMM Licensing Portfolio Lead, the position formerly held by Darlene Moore.   Please feel free to contact Pat with any questions regarding the CMMI and People CMM opportunities.  She can be reached at pac@sei.cmu.edu or 412-268-4475.

SEPG North America 2008

The Carnegie Mellon Software Engineering Institute 20th Annual SEPG North America Conference will take place March 17-20, 2008, in Tampa, Florida. This year's conference promises to provide attendees with the skills, knowledge, and technologies to empower them to enable their organizations to "lead the wave" for process improvement and quality software and systems. SEPG North America 2008 offers professionals the opportunity to learn the latest in process improvement and process management trends.

The Partner Network will once again share some events with the SEI Members.  Mark your calendars for the events found on the Partner itinerary at http://www.sei.cmu.edu/sepg/2008/program_events.html#partner. 

Business Points of Contact or their designated attendees are invited to attend the annual Partner Luncheon/Meeting.  Information regarding the latest news on the Partner Network will be provided by Lisa Masciantonio, Partner Network Relationship Manager. John Maher, outgoing Partner Advisory Board Chair, will speak about the activities of the Partner Advisory Board.  If you are a Business Point of Contact and haven’t already done so, please send your RSVP for this luncheon to Valerie Chilson at vchilson@sei.cmu.edu.

If you're thinking about exhibiting at SEPG North America, there is still booth space available.  Maximize your networking potential by taking advantage of the exhibit opportunity; visit our new, interactive exhibit hall floor plan at https://sepg08.wingateweb.com/us/exhibitor/reg/boothmap
/boothMap.jsp. You can view and select your exhibit space online.

If you haven’t already done so, register now to attend the world's leading conference in process improvement at an affordable rate. For more information about SEPG North America 2008, registration, and group discounts, visit www.sei.cmu.edu/sepg/2008.

CMMI for Acquisition Class

A 1-day CMMI for Acquisition class is scheduled in Tampa, Florida, on March 21 at the end of SEPG North America.  For more information about this class, please visit www.sei.cmu.edu/products/courses/p62.html.

 

SEI Partner Advisory Board News

The election for the 2008 SEI Partner Advisory Board has concluded.  We would first like to thank the outgoing members—Bill Bolander, John Maher, Terry Rout, and Dan Roy—for supporting the SEI Partner Network by giving so much of their time and effort.

Now, please join us in welcoming our newly elected Board members:

Kathy Dailey
Bill Deibler
Hillel Glazer
Joseph Morin
Winfried Russwurm
Jeff Schwalb
Kathy Smith
Yoshihiro Akiyama

The primary role of this Board is to represent the SEI Partner community by providing advice to the SEI regarding its direction and activities.  The Board was founded because the SEI recognizes that the Partners make a significant contribution to fulfilling the SEI Mission.  Service on the Board is voluntary, and the members are not compensated by the SEI.

SEI Announces First Certified Software Architecture: Principles and Practices (SAPP) Instructor

In recent years, software architecture has emerged as a vital field in software engineering. Behind the complex software systems we’ve come to rely on for so many of our daily needs are software architectures--structures of the systems, which comprise software elements, the externally visible properties of those elements, and the relationships among them. As the demand for expertise in the software architecture field has grown, the SEI has begun certifying instructors for its Software Architecture: Principles and Practices course.

Matthew Bass of SEI Partner, Vima Group, LLC, recently became the first certified instructor for the Software Architecture: Principles and Practices (SAPP) course. As a certified SAPP Instructor, Matthew Bass can teach organizations the latest concepts of software architecture and how to use it successfully.

Demand for the SAPP course continues to grow; since January, the SEI has provided 37 on-site offerings of the course at companies and has had record course attendance at its Pittsburgh office. The SEI is inviting professionals from the community to become instructors for this opportunity. As a certified instructor, you will be at the forefront of this important field, providing strong foundations in software architecture to software professionals who design, develop, or manage the construction of software-intensive systems.

For more information please visit www.sei.cmu.edu/partners/softwarearchitecture/index.html or contact Stacie Blakley at scollins@sei.cmu.edu.  If you have questions for Matthew Bass, he can be reached at Vima Group, LLC, 102 Cascade Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15221 412-241-0164, info@vimagroup.net.

Ethics and Compliance News

Online Ethics and Compliance Training Is Here!

The SEI Partner Network Ethics and Compliance Office is pleased to announce that within the next few weeks all Authorized and Certified Professionals and Partners will be receiving information email welcoming you to our new web-based ethics and compliance training.  Watch for emails from  "The SEI Ethics and Compliance Office."

Ethics and Compliance Training is one of several initiatives the SEI Partner Network uses to promote ethical awareness among our professional community, reinforce the Code of Professional Conduct, and ensure that the high standards associated with SEI services delivered by SEI Partners are maintained.

Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (“FERPA”)

Course participant records created at the Software Engineering Institute (SEI) in connection with SEI education and training courses are strictly confidential, and their protection is mandated under federal legislation known as the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA).

FERPA applies to all institutions that are the recipients of federal funding from the U.S. Department of Education, which includes Carnegie Mellon University. Because the SEI is operated and administered by Carnegie Mellon, the SEI is also subject to this regulatory program. Under FERPA, you have the right to

• inspect and review your course records
• request an amendment to your records if you believe that they are inaccurate or misleading
• request a hearing if your request for an amendment is not resolved to your satisfaction
• consent to disclosure of personally identifiable information from your records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without your consent
• file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education Family Policy Compliance Office if you believe your rights under FERPA have been violated

All course participants are required to complete and sign an authorization form in order for the SEI to release information pertaining to their educational records.  For example, all course participants interested in registering in the SAS database should complete a FERPA form if they would like their name to be viewed by individuals authorized to access the database, such as Lead Appraisers, for the purpose of forming an appraisal team.
Granting permission to have educational records released is voluntary, and course participants may change their authorization designation at any time by contacting the SEI.

Please visit http://www.sei.cmu.edu/partners/ethicscompliance/index.html  for additional information on FERPA. The authorization form can be downloaded at http://www.sei.cmu.edu/partners/files/FERPArelease.pdf. Authorized individuals delivering courses should distribute this form to course participants and return the completed forms to the SEI, along with other required submissions.

Please feel free to contact Jill Diorio, Manager Ethics and Compliance, with any questions or concerns you may have relating to FERPA.   She can be reached by email:  jdiorio@sei.cmu.edu, Phone: 412-268-7782 and FAX: 412-268-5758.

This general outline is not intended to be construed as legal advice and only provides a summary of FERPA as it relates to course participants relating to SEI delivered courses. Additional details about FERPA and privacy rights can be found at

• http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/html/uscode20/usc_sec_20_00001232---g000-.html
• http://www.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/fpco/ferpa/index.html
• http://www.nacada.ksu.edu/Resources/FERPA-Overview.htm

Ethics and Compliance Hotline

The SEI Partner Network Ethics and Compliance Hotline is a toll-free, 24-hour, 365-day, confidential and anonymous service for reporting unethical, illegal, or quality-compromising activities, operated by The Network, Inc., an independent company.

Although we encourage you to contact us directly to report your concerns, the hotline provides an avenue for individuals who may feel more comfortable filing an anonymous report of ethics violations.  Direct reports of violations can be sent to jdiorio@sei.cmu.edu or ethics-compliance-reporting@sei.cmu.edu.

When you call the hotline, you will speak to an interview specialist at The Network, Inc, who will document your concern in detail.  English and Spanish-speaking interview specialists, as well as translators for more than 140 different languages are available.

All calls are confidential. Your call is not recorded, there is no caller identification, and you are not required to give your name.  At the end of your call, you will be provided with a report reference number. The details of your concern will be submitted to the appropriate individuals within the SEI so that possible violations can be investigated.  If you have provided your name, the appropriate SEI staff member may contact you for additional information.  If you have chosen to remain anonymous, you will be asked to place a follow-up call to the hotline with your reference number in the event the SEI has additional questions.

We welcome your questions and comments.  Our Ethics and Compliance Manager, Jill Diorio can be reached at 412-268-7782 or jdiorio@sei.cmu.edu.

CMMI Product Suite News

6th Annual CMMI Workshop

The 6th Annual CMMI Workshop will be held at the Hilton Hotel in Vancouver, Washington October 27-30, 2008.  Registration for the workshop and hotel reservation information will be announced soon.  Please mark your calendars and watch your email for further information.

SCAMPI Update

We are pleased to announce the newly updated version (0208) of the SCAMPI A Lead Appraiser Kit and the SCAMPI B and C Team Leader Kit for download from the Partner Resource Center (https://partner-resources.sei.cmu.edu/).

Key changes to the A Kit in this version include updates to the SCAMPI A team training materials and Read Me file, the appraisal input and the appraisal plan templates (including the Read Me files), the appraisal input and appraisal plan checklists, the recommended text for confidentiality and non-attribution agreement, and the opening and final finding briefing templates.  Please read the SLAK releases notes 0208 for a description of the changes from the previous kit.  We would also encourage you to read the Read Me files for the team training (READ ME - SATT Instructor 0208) as well as for the appraisal input template, the appraisal plan template, and the presentation templates.

Key changes to the B and C Kit in this version include updates to the SCAMPI B team training materials and Read Me file, the SCAMPI C team training materials, the appraisal input, and the appraisal plan templates including the Read Me files, the recommended text for confidentiality and non-attribution agreement, and the opening and final finding briefing templates.  Please read the B+C Kit Releases Notes 0208 for a description of the changes from the previous kit.  We also encourage you to read the Read Me files for the team training (READ ME - SBATT Instructor 0208) as well as for the appraisal input template, the appraisal plan template, and the presentation templates.

If you notice any errors in the kits or have suggestions for future improvements, we welcome you to submit a change request, either using the CR Form included in the kit or by downloading the Appraisal CR Form from the SEI website at http://www.sei.cmu.edu/cmmi/models/change-requests.html.

Please select either "SCAMPI A Lead Appraiser Kit" or "SCAMPI B & C Kit" from the drop-down menu as the product reviewed and email the CR to cmmi-cr@sei.cmu.edu.
We plan to update the kits on an annual basis but may not be able to give you notice that an update is in progress.  Please send us change requests as soon as you identify potential changes to the kits.

Certification News

New SEI Instructor Certification to Launch March 2008

Software Engineering Measurement & Analysis practices help an organization develop and evolve useful measurement and analysis practices. Organizations that have developed measurement capabilities can leverage that investment by learning to better analyze the data they collect and make more informed business decisions. SEI-Certified Instructors for Improving Process Performance Using Six Sigma help introduce and take a hands-on, problem-solving approach to data analysis, providing students with a toolkit of analysis methods and leveraging industry best practices such as Six Sigma and Goal-Driven Software Measurement.

Key concepts in data analysis--including statistical thinking, the 7 Basic Tools, and root cause analysis--are introduced through lectures and extensive practice sessions using real-life case studies and project data. For more information, please see http://www.sei.cmu.edu/certification/.

CMMI Practitioners Study

The Software Engineering Institute will soon conduct a study to determine the competencies and skills needed by practitioners in CMMI who are responsible for leading, advising, consulting, or participating in CMMI-based efforts to improve an organization’s performance through process improvement and measurement and analysis. These practitioners are highly trained, skilled, disciplined, and dedicated men and women who represent a unique labor pool that enable organizations to maintain a competitive edge. This study is the first step in the research and development of CMMI Practitioners credentialing program that would offer confirmation of competence and skill in the competency areas required to successfully support an organization’s CMMI-based efforts.

High Maturity Lead Appraiser Certification Exams

The SEI Certification Team is currently scheduling the second cycle of High Maturity Lead Appraiser certification exams that will conclude June 13, 2008.  This schedule includes exam opportunities at the following locations and dates:

SEPG North America (Tampa, FL) - March 17-20 - FILLED
SEI Pittsburgh, PA - April 1-4
SEI Arlington, VA - May (actual dates to be determined)
SEPG Europe (Munich, Germany) - June 10-13 (Limited Seating)

If you are planning to take the HM LA exam during this testing period, please submit an application and request for preferred dates and location to  certification-scampihmla@sei.cmu.edu.

Later in 2008, we will once again analyze new questions which will be implemented in the next open examination period starting in October 2008.  Entry to the "HM LA Exam-Benchmark III" sessions is limited.  Those whose exams are graded as passing will receive the HM LA certification. Candidates who do not pass the exam will have an opportunity to take the exam again in the open period from October, 2008 - May, 2009.

Proposed locations in which to conduct the HM LA Exam-Benchmark III sessions are planned in the August/September 2008 time frame.  Current locations for sessions are Pittsburgh, PA and Arlington, VA.  We are also examining the possibility of conducting these HM LA Exam-Benchmark III sessions in conjunction with the 2008 Australian SEPG in Melbourne, Australia in mid-August.

If you are interested in participating in this next round of HM LA Exam-Benchmark III sessions, please send an email to certification-scampihmla@sei.cmu.edu with your request to take this version of the exam and the location you prefer by February 29, 2008 so that we can plan for the session.
 
If you have any questions on these testing opportunities, please contact Michele Falce at mbaker@sei.cmu.edu.

Workshop to Support SCAMPI Lead Appraiser Certification

The CMMI Appraisal Team is inviting candidate and authorized SCAMPI Lead Appraisers to participate in a workshop to support SCAMPI Lead Appraiser certification that will be held at the SEI in Pittsburgh on May 6-8, 2008 (9:00am - 5:00pm each day).  The primary purpose of the workshop is to generate questions that will be used for the SCAMPI Lead Appraiser certification exam.  Your full participation in the workshop will allow you to receive a one-time waiver of the exam fee.  In addition, you will learn about the process used to generate the SLA certification exam questions.  Workshop participation is at your own expense.

The agenda will include training on Tuesday, with working group sessions Tuesday through Thursday.  Lunch and coffee service will be provided by the SEI each day.

We are planning to organize the workshop using the following six working groups based on the competency clusters (cc) in the SLA BOK (SEI/CMU-2007-TR-019):

WG1 - Model interpretation (cc7, high maturity and generic practices)

WG2 - Model interpretation (cc7, project management and process management)

WG3 - Model interpretation (cc7, engineering and support)

WG4 - SCAMPI method and professionalism (cc 8 and 9)

WG5 - Appraisal skills (cc 1, 2, 4, 5)

WG6 - Appraisal managements (cc 3, 6)

If you are interested in participating on all three days of the workshop, please send an email to Michele Falce (mbaker@sei.cmu.edu) indicating your commitment and your preferences for your first, second, and third choices of working group.  We ask for your response by March 24, 2008 so that we can complete arrangements for the workshop.

TSP Product Suite News

TSP Symposium 2008
"High Performance Process"
September 22-24, 2008
General Session

September 25, 2008
PSP/TSP Instructor/Coach Workshop
Attendance at this workshop is by invitation

We invite you to attend and network with the leaders in TSP transition and process improvement who will be sharing their successes and challenges of TSP implementation.  Presenters will focus on how TSP has been an enabler in their process improvement efforts and demonstrate the quality benefits that TSP has brought to the project and product being produced.  You will have the opportunity to hear keynote addresses from Ivette Garcia, Directora General Adjunta de Economía Digital of Mexico; Watts Humphrey, SEI Fellow; and Jim Sartain, Senior Director of Software Quality from Adobe Systems.

For more information about the TSP Symposium please visit http://www.sei.cmu.edu/tsp/symposium/.

SEI News

SPIN Newsletter

Below is the link to the first issue of the SPIN Newsletter, a
quarterly publication that serves the needs of the 126 SPIN chapters
throughout the world!

Each edition of the newsletter will feature "SPIN This," an interview
with an individual member or members, and "SPIN Spotlight", an interview
with a SPIN chapter. This edition highlights the work of the Tampa SPIN
chapter and its involvement with the SEPG North America 2008
conference. The newsletter also contains a feature article, which will
be noteworthy papers or research that have been presented to SPINs.

Download it, pass it out, and share it with anyone involved with a SPIN or
someone who should be!

http://www.sei.cmu.edu/collaborating/spins/newsletter.html