Wednesday, May 20, 2009

I don't understand CMMI Certification. Can you clear it up?


I am preparing a presentation on CMMI but I am a bit confused about CMMI certification. I know for example that a person can have a Prince2 certification, but I do not know if there is an equivalent for people on CMMI, about certifications. Indeed, I have read on the internet that a CMMI certification is gained by a company (and not by a person like Prince 2). Is a "CMMI Appraiser" someone who has that "certification"? Is it then obtained by level? What is his role?
 


It is a company (or part of a company) that achieves a CMMI Maturity Level, not an individual. So, for example, XYZ Company is CMMI Maturity Level Three. A "Certified Lead Appraiser" is an individual who is authorized to conduct a CMMI (SCAMPI) Appraisal and award a Maturity Level to a company. This person has been through extensive training, has decades of experience, has passed both written and verbal exams at the SEI, works for an SEI Partner, and pays annual license fees. Hope this helps.