Pilot Project: Standard CMMI Appraisal Method for Process Improvement (SCAMPI)
Description
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Objectives
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Desired Results
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Background Material
For More Information
The Three Classes of Appraisals
Characteristic |
Class C |
Class B |
Class A |
Amount of objective Evidence |
Low |
Medium |
High |
Ratings Generated |
No |
No |
Yes |
Resource Needs |
Low |
Medium |
High |
Team Size |
Small |
Medium |
Large |
Description
The Standard CMMI Appraisal Method for Process Improvement (SCAMPISM) is designed to provide benchmark quality ratings relative to CMMI models. It is applicable to a wide range of appraisal usage modes, including internal process improvement and external capability determinations and incorporates the best ideas of several process improvement appraisal methods, e.g., CBA IPI and SCE. SCAMPI Class A is a rigorous appraisal method designed for baselining an organization's process capabilities with respect to the CMMI.
In 2003 the Acquisition Support Program (ASP) sponsored an acquisition pilot using prototype versions of SCAMPI B and SCAMPI C within the acquisition community, including the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) and the Space and Missile Systems Center (SMC), to ensure these methods could be efficiently used in an acquisition environment. As an example, the SCAMPI Class B method is a less rigorous appraisal method designed for investigating an organization's process capabilities with respect to the CMMI without producing ratings. This alternative method is important because the time and effort required for Class A appraisals is not always necessary or practical.
In the NRO and SMC cases the use of a scaled down SCAMPI Class A (i.e., a SCAMPI Class B) is beneficial and desirable. The 2003 pilot work helped to develop SCAMPI Class B/C as usable, accurate and efficient appraisal methods which can also be used within the acquisition community. These methods accommodate risk identification, risk mitigation, time constraints and objectivity requirements related to process capability for program management, source selection and contract monitoring applications.
Objectives
The objectives of the Acquisition Support Program (ASP) in continuing this acquisition pilot program through 2004 is to build upon the work done in 2003 by:
- Engaging at least two acquisition organizations in the DoD acquisition community to elicit and implement appraisal requirements
- Determining the resource and information requirements for typical source selection and contract monitoring applications For SCAMPI Appraisal Classes B and C.
- Leveraging the customer engagement work already being conducted by ASP by applying the method to source selection and contract monitoring
- Determining approaches and effort required for ensuring sufficient gathering and verification of objective evidence to support acquisition management decision needs.
- Conducting local trials including training to test feasibility and accuracy of approaches to meet identified requirements, and to determine resources required
Desired Results
This acquisition pilot project will:
- Capture a process for applying SCAMPI appraisals in source selection and contract monitoring
- Create example RFP language
This acquisition pilot project will produce:
For customers:
- First hand experience, training, and advanced application in ongoing acquisition efforts
- Accelerated appraisal resources at reduced costs
- Customer input to method requirements
- Work with other customers with similar requirements
For the SEI:
- Actual user input and use in real world applications
- Quicker, broader and more effective transition to CMMI
- Trained SEI/ASP Appraisers with real experience
- Lessons learned for SEI Appraisal Teams
For the Acquisition community:
- A formal and practical set of appraisal methods that address real DoD acquisition needs related to process capability and risk identification
- Lessons learned for software acquisition community
Background Material
Acquisition Pilot: SCAMPI B/C Pilots in Acquisition Environments , Panel Presentation, Charles Ryan, SEI, 3rd Annual Acquisition of Software-Intensive Systems Conference, January 2004.
For More Information
Send comments or questions to asp-requests@sei.cmu.edu