Integrated SCAMPI

I am faced with a problem with determining which CMMI to use (CMMI-DEV, CMMI-SVC, or CMMI-ACQ) for an in-house IT Department that performs all three types of functions for the organization. I face the following questions:

1. Is there an integrated SCAMPI for all three models held together? Or is the scope is simply determined by adding different PAs from different models? In this case, against what model will the ratings be announced?
2. What about the cost paid to the SEI? Is it calculated differently for such a SCAMPI?
3. What about exclusions if all PAs from these three models that are not fully applicable? Is there a way other than pursuing Continuous Representation?
4. Can you recommend any research work done already on integrating the three model for designing and implementing the OSSP?

I will be greatful for your help and support...

As a first step you should hire an SEI-certified Lead Appraiser, preferably in all three constellations, to provide you the proper advice as to which constellation is appropriate for your organization.

I would only recommend that an organization use the CMMI-ACQ if their primary focus was acquiring products and services from vendors. The CMMI-DEV and CMMI-SVC both have the Supplier Agreement Management Process Area, so either constellation will work if acquisition is not the primary focus of the organization.

Here are my answers to your specific questions:

1. It is possible to conduct blended SCAMPI A appraisals that cover more than one constellation. But your Lead Appraiser will have to work with your organization and the SEI on how best to perform the blended appraisal and determine your Capability or Maturity Level ratings.
2. There are NO fees paid to the SEI by the organization for any appraisal. Any appraisal costs are negotiated between you and your Lead Appraiser.
3. The determination of the appraisal scope is performed jointly with your Lead Appraiser when planning the appraisal. The appraisal scope specifies the representation and the Process Areas being evaluated.
4. I am unaware of any reported results using blended constellations. Though Mike Phillips from the SEI has said that blended SCAMPIs are permissible. I suggest that you contact the SEI and ask for this kind of information, if it exists.

Definition of SOW

I would like to know what is the content of the Statement of Work and how does this document meet requirements of the CMMI?

As a best practice with definition questions, the first place to look is the CMMI Glossary. In this case there is a definition of Statement of Work (SOW) in the Glossary. “A description of contracted work required to complete a project.” In other words, the SOW contains the requirements for what you have to delivery to the customer. And there are varying levels of detail from SOW to SOW depending on the size, criticality, and nature of the work. For large government contracts, the SOW may also contain the Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) for the program/project as well. At a minimum, the SOW will contain the customer’s requirements that the organization will further develop. So the SOW supports RD and may also support PP.

CMMI-SVC and Emergence of Open Organizations

Emergence of Open Organization- when will it happen? LinkedIn + Google+Sourceforge+Newscale + Visa
I foresee Newscale/ Pinky/SEI coming up with a master service catalogue that could be integrated with Google where any Group member can have his own service catalog in his profile. The Group Service catalog could well be an Organization's service catalog. Probably any individual would say he has his office is in Yahoo!, Google etc and may add that he works for a particular social enterprise/many enterprises. I also feel that some governmental procedures or a global standard will evolve for the governance of Open companies. My question is does the CMMI-SVC address this?

What you are asking about is a virtual office environment and the tools to enable this environment. There are two practices in the CMMI that address work environments: OPD SP 1.6 Establish and maintain work environment standards and IPM SP 1.3 Establish and maintain the project’s work environment based on the organization’s work environment standards. Since both OPD and IPM are Core Process Areas (PAs), they are common to all CMMI constellations CMMI-DEV, CMMI-ACQ, and CMMI-SVC. So your virtual office concept can work with any of the three constellations.

Advice on a Gap Analysis

For the first assessment, does the gap analysis have to be performed against practices or against work products?

There are no specified standard requirements for a Gap Analysis. The Gap Analysis is intended to identify major differences between a model standard and actual practice. A Gap Analysis may involve just reviewing documents, just interviewing people, or a combination of both. I like to evaluate a combination of documents and people for a Gap Analysis. This approach yields the best results, because in many cases the process as practiced is different from the process as documented.

Definition of Work Product Terms

What is the meaning of the following work products: WBS task dictionary, documented requests for commitments, and documented commitments?

There are no unique definitions for these terms in the context of the CMMI. Otherwise these terms would be defined in the CMMI Glossary. These are standard Project Management terms.

The WBS Task Dictionary is the list of tasks, deliverables, and predecessor/successor relationships between the tasks. There is sufficient information provided so anyone using the WBS Task Dictionary will have enough information to create a WBS for a project.

Documented Requests for Commitments means exactly what the words say. A request for a commitment. It can be as simple as emailing a document to someone for their commitment and approval.

Documented Commitments again means exactly what the words say. Basically the commitments made by the various parties and stakeholders are written down somewhere.

KPA vs. PA

What is the difference between the terms KPA and PA?

KPA stands for Key Process Area and applied to the Capability Maturity Model (CMM) that was retired years ago. This term no longer has any meaning.

PA stands for a CMMI Process Area.

KPA and PA are basically the same, but KPA is only relevant for the obsolete CMM and PA is only relevant for the current CMMI.

The CMMI Glossary defines a Process Area as a cluster of related practices in an area that, when implemented collectively, satisfy a set of goals considered important for making improvements in that area. All CMMI Process Areas are common to both the Continuous and Staged Representations.

Challenges with Implementing the CMMI in Small Settings

At the 2009 North American SEPG Conference in San Jose last week, I was the first presenter in the Small Settings track. This was a well attended presentation and I wanted to share it on my blog with those of you who were not able to attend this year. I also wrote a companion article published by ExecutiveBrief that you can read at Small Business and the CMMI: Sink or Swim.

Challenges with Implementing the CMMI in Small Settings

View more presentations from Henry Schneider.