Call me old fashioned, but, yes, I think it really can be that simple.

  • Capability Level (CL)0 – Smart people doing some of the good stuff (SPs) – INCOMPLETE
  • CL1 – Smart people doing all of the good stuff – PERFORMED
  • CL2 – Smart people doing all of the good stuff in a managed way (all GP2.x) – MANAGED
    • Resource (person or tool)
    • Is assigned to perform task / provide service
    • In order to produce deliverable / complete desired action
    • By date (deadline)
  • CL3 – Smart people doing all of the good stuff in a managed way; and, such that similar projects do similar things similarly (GP 2.x and 3.x) – DEFINED
  1. Select the PAs and SPs that are relevant to your ability to successfully deliver products and services to your clients.
  2. Develop processes that address those selected PAs and SPs.
  3. Use the GPs to establish your desired level of capability in those relevant areas.
  4. If there is a gap between what you absolutely need to run your business and the CMMI; and, you need / want a CMMI CL / Maturity Level (ML) rating, close the gaps.
  5. Implement all of the above.
  6. Win all the business, take all the money.