A Description of the Systems Engineering Capability Maturity Model Appraisal Method Version 1.1
• SEI Report
Publisher
Software Engineering Institute
CMU/SEI Report Number
CMU/SEI-96-HB-004Abstract
The purpose of this document is to summarize the major elements of the Systems Engineering Capability Maturity Model (SE-CMM) appraisal method (SAM). SAM is a method for using the SE-CMM to benchmark, or otherwise appraise, the process capability of an organization's or enterprise's systems engineering function. The SE-CMM itself is described in CMU/SEI-96-HB-004. This document describes each step of an SE-CMM appraisal and provides guidance for the preparation and conduct of an appraisal. It also contains background and context information about the appraisal method.
Cite This SEI Report
Kuhn, D., Wells, C., Armitage, J., Cusick, K., Miller, S., Hanna, M., Malpass, P., & Pierson, H. (1996, February 1). A Description of the Systems Engineering Capability Maturity Model Appraisal Method Version 1.1. (SEI Report CMU/SEI-96-HB-004). Retrieved September 17, 2026, from https://www.sei.cmu.edu/library/a-description-of-the-systems-engineering-capability-maturity-model-appraisal-method-version-11/.
@techreport{kuhn_1996,
author={Kuhn, Dorothy and Wells, Curtis and Armitage, James and Cusick, Kerinia and Miller, Suzanne and Hanna, Mark and Malpass, Peter and Pierson, Hal},
title={A Description of the Systems Engineering Capability Maturity Model Appraisal Method Version 1.1},
month={Feb},
year={1996},
number={{CMU/SEI-96-HB-004},
institution={Software Engineering Institute, Carnegie Mellon University},
url={https://www.sei.cmu.edu/library/a-description-of-the-systems-engineering-capability-maturity-model-appraisal-method-version-11/},
note={Accessed: 2026-Sep-17}
}
Kuhn, Dorothy, Curtis Wells, James Armitage, Kerinia Cusick, Suzanne Miller, Mark Hanna, Peter Malpass, and Hal Pierson. "A Description of the Systems Engineering Capability Maturity Model Appraisal Method Version 1.1." (CMU/SEI-96-HB-004). Software Engineering Institute, Carnegie Mellon University. Software Engineering Institute, February 1, 1996. https://www.sei.cmu.edu/library/a-description-of-the-systems-engineering-capability-maturity-model-appraisal-method-version-11/.
D. Kuhn, C. Wells, J. Armitage, K. Cusick, S. Miller, M. Hanna, P. Malpass, and H. Pierson, "A Description of the Systems Engineering Capability Maturity Model Appraisal Method Version 1.1," Software Engineering Institute, Carnegie Mellon University. Software Engineering Institute, SEI Report CMU/SEI-96-HB-004, 1-Feb-1996 [Online]. Available: https://www.sei.cmu.edu/library/a-description-of-the-systems-engineering-capability-maturity-model-appraisal-method-version-11/. [Accessed: 17-Sep-2026].
Kuhn, Dorothy, Curtis Wells, James Armitage, Kerinia Cusick, Suzanne Miller, Mark Hanna, Peter Malpass, and Hal Pierson. "A Description of the Systems Engineering Capability Maturity Model Appraisal Method Version 1.1." (SEI Report CMU/SEI-96-HB-004). Software Engineering Institute, Carnegie Mellon University, Software Engineering Institute, 1 Feb. 1996. https://www.sei.cmu.edu/library/a-description-of-the-systems-engineering-capability-maturity-model-appraisal-method-version-11/. Accessed 17 Sep. 2026.
Kuhn, Dorothy; Wells, Curtis; Armitage, James; Cusick, Kerinia; Miller, Suzanne; Hanna, Mark; Malpass, Peter; & Pierson, Hal. A Description of the Systems Engineering Capability Maturity Model Appraisal Method Version 1.1. CMU/SEI-96-HB-004. Software Engineering Institute. 1996. https://www.sei.cmu.edu/library/a-description-of-the-systems-engineering-capability-maturity-model-appraisal-method-version-11/