Systematic process improvement using ISO 9001:2000 and CMMI

6.1 Differences between the CMM ® and CMMI ® 157
generic goals for maturity levels 4 and 5 in the staged model. In the continuous
model, generic goals 4 and 5 indicate if the PA has reached capability
levels 4 and 5, respectively. 2
In the staged representation, GG 2 and GG 3 and their generic practices
are listed separately in each PA. Satisfying GG 2 in addition to the specific
goals of each PA enables an organization to attain maturity level 2. When
an organization attempts to move to maturity level 3, it should satisfy both
GG 2 and GG 3. It should revisit level 2 PAs, enhance them by implementing
GG 3, and institutionalize the PAs as defined processes. As shown in Figure
6.2, at level 3 the GPs associated with GG 3 are split between the AB (Establish
a Defined Process) and directing implementation (DI) (Collect Improvement Information)
common features.
Commitment to Perform
In the CMMI ® , the CO common feature has stayed the same as in the CMM ®
and requires an organization to establish and maintain the organizational
policy. However, the wording of the generic practice associated with this
common feature (GP 2.1, Establish and Maintain an Organizational Policy for
Planning and Performing the Process) emphasizes that the policy is not only
formulated, but is also documented and used throughout the organization
[2].
Ability to Perform
Most KPAs in the CMM ® have an activity for developing a plan to be used
for implementing that KPA. In the CMMI ® , these activities have migrated
to GP 2.2, Establish and Maintain the Plan for Performing the Process, in the AB
common feature. In addition, the ‘‘plans’’ required by the CMM ® and the
‘‘plans’’ in CMMI ® GP 2.2 are quite different. The plan in the GP 2.2 sense
must include a process description for each PA that is documented and
agreed to by relevant stakeholders. The implementation of this GP may differ
from PA to PA because the sources of the process descriptions may vary.
For example, a process description may be given in another PA such as CM
or it may come from the organizational standard process.
If we list all of the level 2 GPs, we see that they are used for institutionalizing
a managed process, as shown in Table 6.1. Discussions with process
2. If an organization is to achieve capability level 4 for a PA, capability levels 1 through 3 have to be satisfied.
Similarly for CL 5, CL1 through 4 have to be satisfied.