Systematic process improvement using ISO 9001:2000 and CMMI

194 Transitioning from Legacy Standards
Level 2 organizations need to revisit the already established PAs in light
of newly added systems engineering aspects. A slightly different approach
may be required after considering questions such as these:
• Is the organization developing software systems
• Is the organization developing systems that contain hardware, such
as satellite communications
• Is the organization performing software maintenance
• How large is the organization
• How is the CMMI ® going to be interpreted in each of these cases
At maturity level 2, the inclusion of systems engineering in the model
requires some clarification of certain specific practices. In the CMMI ® , these
clarifications are called discipline amplifications. For example, in the REQM
PA, SG 1, Manage Requirements, has amplifications for both software engineering
and for systems engineering. For software engineering, the CMMI ®
provides amplification by explaining that requirements may be a subset of
overall product requirements (where there are other requirements, such as
for hardware components) or that they may constitute the entire product
requirements (for a purely software product).
Similarly, in the PP PA, SP 1.3, Define Project Life Cycle, has two amplifications.
For software engineering, the CMMI ® indicates that determination of
project phases typically includes selecting and refining a software development
model and addressing the interdependencies and interactions of its
activities. For systems engineering, an organization should identify major
product phases for the current state of the product and expected future
phases, and the relationships and effects among those phases. In such cases,
an organization should evaluate its approach. Several different approaches
can be envisioned to support different applications and fields of implementation
while maintaining the major core practices common to all applications.
In all of these cases, the organization benefits from CMMI ® implementation.
GP 2.5, Train People, also requires attention. The training curriculum of an
organization transitioning to the CMMI ® will have to address the differences
between the newly added processes and the existing CMM ® -based processes.
For example, a data management process added to the PP PA or aspects of
measurement and analysis that are also new at maturity level 2 will have
to be addressed. In addition, SP 2.5, Plan for Needed Knowledge and Skills, in
the PP PA represents a new requirement at level 2.