Systematic process improvement using ISO 9001:2000 and CMMI

4.2 CMMI ® 95
Why is this important
To be able to take appropriate actions, higher level management must be
appraised of the progress of process definition, execution, implementation,
and institutionalization. Visibility into selected processes is needed to enable
them to resolve issues. Typically, the senior managers responsible for establishing
policies are those who are the most interested in process implementation
and institutionalization. Reviews are typically scheduled on a periodic
basis, such as quarterly, but can also be driven by significant events.
Generic Goal GG 3: Institutionalize a Defined Process
The process is institutionalized as a defined process.
Explicit requirements for level 3 (and later, level 4 and 5) generic goals
and practices are new in the CMMI ® ; no CMM ® common features correspond
to those generic practices. By introducing generic goals at levels 3, 4, and
5, the institutionalization steps at those levels are made more explicit.
Generic Practice GP 3.1: Establish a Defined Process
Establish and maintain the description of a defined process.
Why is this important
This generic practice drives the description of processes tailored from the
organization’s standard processes. To implement this GP, the organization
has to have a set of standard processes with associated tailoring guidelines.
A defined process is a managed process that also clearly states the purpose,
inputs, entry criteria, activities, roles, measures, verification steps, outputs,
and exit criteria.
Although a managed process is applicable to a specific project or group,
a defined process enables individual projects to capitalize on processes that
have been proven across the organization. When an organization has a set
of standard processes, it is better able to share its experiences and staff across
the project boundaries. Because a defined process is usually documented in
detail, it can be more easily measured. Collection and analysis of measurement
information enable quantitative management and make improvement
better understood. This generic practice depends on the Organizational Process
Definition and Integrated Project Management PAs.