The good times are about to roll! CMMI Institute’s Capability Counts 2017, our industry’s premier conference for performance improvement, Agile and CMMI, kicks off next week in the Washington, DC area, with in-depth learning opportunities for using the CMMI to improve organizational performance and increase capability!
As you know if you’ve been reading our blog this month, Broadsword is delivering eight presentations at the event I like to call “The Greatest Show on Earth.” One presentation in particular you won’t want to miss is Cathy Henderson’s “20 Days Out – NOW WHAT? Countdown To SCAMPI A” on Tue, May 16th, 9:00 AM - 9:40 AM.
Cathy and I had a chance for a little Q&A recently:
CMMI Appraiser: Why “20 Days Out”?
Cathy: To use a juggling metaphor, the 20-day mark is the critical point that represents all of the balls being in the air at once. At 4 weeks before the scheduled SCAMPI A, organizations are conducting Appraisal Team Training and the Readiness Review; they are collecting appraisal evidence, scheduling interviews, and of course still maintaining their day jobs! There is a lot going on, and folks need a good strategy to be successful. My presentation shares this strategy.
CMMI Appraiser: What is the big problem organizations typically are facing when they get to the 20-day mark?
Cathy: Most organizations are not very well prepared at that critical point. Unprepared organizations put stress on their teams and have to scramble to the finish line, if they can make it without postponing. It’s not a good way to market the valuable processes designed to make their organization better.
In “20 Day Countdown to SCAMPI,” any organization that is preparing for an appraisal will understand the best method to plan and monitor tasks while avoiding major pitfalls that may affect the success of the SCAMPI... and sanity of their teams!
CMMI Appraiser: What solutions have people tried, but failed?
Cathy: People try to prepare for the SCAMPI at the same time they are deploying processes and training project teams. They do this because they have underestimated the planning piece and associated dependencies, a mistake that often leads to failure.
CMMI Appraiser: What are some leading indicators that a CMMI appraisal is heading toward a disaster?
Cathy: If an organization has not finished deploying standard processes, then projects cannot produce outputs, and appraisal teams cannot collect evidence. That’s a danger sign.
CMMI Appraiser: What are some leading indicators that a CMMI appraisal is heading toward success?
Cathy: There has been a plan with tasks, milestones, and it has been monitored as well as shared with the Lead Appraiser. Now you’re on the right track!
CMMI Appraiser: What is an “a-ha” moment people will get from your presentation?
Cathy: Look to the CMMI Model and the processes developed to guide you towards a successful SCAMPI.
As a bonus, here’s my Best Kept Secret: If you have applied PP, PMC, GP 2.10 and M&A to your SCAMPI planning process, you are on Easy Street!
CMMI Appraiser: Thank you, Cathy! I hope our readers will join us for your presentation next week for Capabilty Counts 2017. For those who haven’t purchased a ticket, there’s still time to register here.
See you at Capability Counts 2017!
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 trainings and has received an aggregate satisfaction score of 4.97 out of 5 from his students.
Visit www.broadswordsolutions.com for more information.
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