Timeline for the release of CMMI v2.0 Components

Editor's Note: This is fifth in our series about the upcoming release of CMMI v2.0 [Jeff] -- updated.

CMMI v2.0 is HERE!!!!

The first release of the latest version of the CMMI, last updated in 2010, happened on schedule at the end of March, and we couldn't be any more excited!  

But, there are lot of components to be released, and they won't all come out at once.  Here's what we know for now:

Initial v2.0 Release - March 28, 2018

The initial release of the new model focuses, for now, only on the "Development View" (the closest thing to a "View," a new keyword in v2.0, is the entity formerly known as a "constellation").

The entire model related to Development has been released, along with a new online navigator - a database-driven tool that will allow users to login, surf the model, and look at it from different perspectives (Maturity Level, Practice Area, etc). 

They released the initial training for this View - a two day class called "Foundations in Capability" and a one-day class called "Building DEV Excellence."  This is roughly equivalent to today's "Introduction to CMMI" class, but will include a certification exam.  Successful completion of the exam is a prerequisite (among others) for serving on an Appraisal Team.

We're teaching Washington, DC's very first CMMI v2.0 class on May 7-9, along with our famous CMMI-Agile Integration Workshop on the 10th and 11th.  You can find more information about registering for both classes here.

Mid-Year 2018

A new version of the appraisal process AND appraisal system (the dreaded "SAS"), will be released.  I'll cover the new appraisal method in another post, but hold on - it's different!

January 1, 2019

New v2.0 Benchmarking appraisals (formerly called SCAMPI A appraisals) based on CMMI v2.0 will be accepted by the CMMI Institute.  So, if you plan on adopting CMMI in the next year, this will be available to you....BUT....

March 2020 (tentative): 

CMMI v1.3 appraisals will no longer be accepted and CMMI v1.3 will be sunset.

2019 - TBA

Release of the Services View, and potentially, a Cyber-Security View.  So stay tuned! 

A Lot of Changes Coming - But Not All at Once!

If you've been reading the blog, you know there are lot of changes coming.  But all of the fanfare for March 28 is only for the initial release of the new model, and a set of training classes.  Sure - it'll be awesome, but there is SO Much more to come!

There are quite a few other changes – including the new sampling rules, and more.  I'll be back in a couple of days to write about those.

Meantime, if you're interested in learning more about the set of in-depth classes we are offering on the subject in May, click "CMMI v2.0 Training."

Like this blog? Forward to your nearest engineering or software exec!

Jeff Dalton is a Certified SCAMPI Lead Appraiser, Certified CMMI Instructor, author and consultant with years of real-world experience with the CMMI in all types of organizations. Jeff has taught thousands of students in CMMI training classes and has received an aggregate satisfaction score of 4.97 out of 5 from his students.

Visit www.broadswordsolutions.com for more information about engineering strategy, performance innovation, software process improvement and running a successful CMMI program.

CMMI v2.0: What is going on with the Constellations DEV, SVC, and ACQ?

Editor's Note: This is fourth in our series about the upcoming release of CMMI v2.0 [Jeff]

A lot of people have been asking, "What's happening with the Constellations?" Short answer - they're gone for CMMI v2.0!

Yes, that's right.  In v1.3 of the CMMI, there are 3.5 flavors, or constellations. What?  3.5?  Yes - that's right.  There are three "official" version of CMMI, known today as CMMI-DEV, for engineering, software, and other product development organizations, there is CMMI-SVC for those companies delivering pure services (staff augmentation, call centers, data centers, etc), and CMMI-ACQ for those organizations that "acquire" all of their products and services.  The .5 is People-CMM, or P-CMM, which isn't official CMM"I", yet, but is sometimes included in the set of constellations (but not officially) when people talk about CMMI.

All of this is going away in v2.0, to be replaced by "views."  This is exactly what it sounds like.  The new CMMI v2.0 will be a table-driven RDMS product (no book!), that will leave the door open for both real-time and long-term enhancements and changes without the need to re-artchitect the model and come out with a new book.

It will ALSO leave the door open for "build your own model," although that will not be part of the initial release in v2.0

In fact, the "initial" release on March 31 will only include what we know today as DEV, now called "CMMI Development."  The next release, date unknown, is said to be what we know today as SVC, now called "CMMI Services."  There is rumor of a really exciting cyber security model being added after that, but nothing has been officially announced. 

So, if you're familiar with the concept of "views" of a relational database, you'll see what they did. They've opened up the model for different views (queries), and they've predefined the first one for us and they're calling it "CMMI Development."  Who knows where this will lead?  But it reminds me of "Build a Bear Workshop."  Lots of potential!

We'll explore all of that in DC's first CMMI v2.0 training class here: CMMI v2.0 Training.

Overall, the approach seems solid.  An online tool is long overdue and will make moving about the model easier, as well as open it up for potential tool developers. I'm disappointed that they are not planning a book, though.  A big part of the new CMMI training will be teaching people how to use a database tool, and having them stare at the tool during class, and probably checking their email and doing work while they're at it.  That's what my experience teaching the class 129 times is - laptops are distracting, but the books gets them focused! We'll make it work though.

There are quite a few other changes.  I'll be back in a couple of days to write about more!

In the meantime, if you're interested in learning more about the set of in-depth classes we are offering on the subject May 7-9, click "CMMI v2.0 Training."

Like this blog? Forward to your nearest engineering or software exec!

Jeff Dalton is a Certified SCAMPI Lead Appraiser, Certified CMMI Instructor, author and consultant with years of real-world experience with the CMMI in all types of organizations. Jeff has taught thousands of students in CMMI training classes and has received an aggregate satisfaction score of 4.97 out of 5 from his students.

Visit www.broadswordsolutions.com for more information about engineering strategy, performance innovation, software process improvement and running a successful CMMI program.

FINALLY!!! CMMI v2.0 addresses leadership and governance!

Editor's Note: This is third in our series about the upcoming release of CMMI v2.0 [Jeff]

FINALLY!!! CMMI v2.0 addresses leadership and governance!

"It's like pushing a rope uphill."

"My management only wants the CMMI certification."

"I care about the improvement, sure, but I really need the cert (wink wink)."

We've all heard it.  The CMMI, a performance model designed to help organizations improve, is often left in the hands of low-ranking, non-influential employees without authority to make change happen - and get little attention from senior management.

CMMI v2.0 is going to try to change that.

The new version, scheduled to be released on March 31, 2018, includes new Practice Areas (name change) for leadership.

Governance (GOV)

Governance will provide guidance and "appraise-able" practices for leadership, focusing on their efforts to improve performance.  That includes setting objectives (wow - seems obvious, yet...), prioritizing improvements, ensuring competencies, identifying Goals/Questions/Metrics needed to measure success, and providing the resources needed for improving performance.

Process Management (PCM)

Process management will provide guidance on developing a process performance architecture (again...seems obvious, but few do it because it's not specifically in the current model), keeping needs and objectives current, aligning improvements with objectives, implements, deploying, and sustaining, improvements, and more.

Not everything needed to improve performance is contained in GOV and PCM, but there will be a appraisal deliverable, a performance report, that will track improvements over time and be part of any re-appraisal. In other words....you need to at least TRY to improve.  Not just perform.

The Bottom Line

The inclusion of specific practices (see what I did there...) related to leadership, architecture, and actual improvement will go a long way to wake up absent leaders who think the CMMI is another plaque on the wall (we call that "Plaque Buildup") that is something they need to worry about every three years.  Oh yea...renewal period....we'll talk about that in another post!

There are quite a few other changes – including simplifying the model, reducing the cost, and more.  I'll be back in a couple of days to write about those.

Meantime, if you're interested in learning more about the set of in-depth classes we are offering on the subject in May, click "CMMI v2.0 Training."

Like this blog? Forward to your nearest engineering or software exec!

Jeff Dalton is a Certified SCAMPI Lead Appraiser, Certified CMMI Instructor, author and consultant with years of real-world experience with the CMMI in all types of organizations. Jeff has taught thousands of students in CMMI training classes and has received an aggregate satisfaction score of 4.97 out of 5 from his students.

Visit www.broadswordsolutions.com for more information about engineering strategy, performance innovation, software process improvement and running a successful CMMI program.