What Training do I need to be a CMMI V2.0 ATM?

Dear Appraiser,

My company just told me I was slated to be a CMMI V2.0 Appraisal Team Member next year, and they asked me to go get trained.  What do I need to do?  ~Manny

Thanks Manny.  Congratulations?

Being on an appraisal team is a great experience no matter what Jimmy Stewart thinks!  But, there are some pre-requisites.

All CMMI V2.0 Appraisal Team Members must now be "Certified CMMI Associates."  Here's how you make that happen:

If you have NEVER taken the official CMMI v1.3 Introduction to CMMI Class:

- Sign up for the 3-day set of classes, now called "Foundations of Capability" (2 day) and "Building DevExcellence" (1 day)

- Use the 30-day license you get before class for the  CMMI Viewer tool to study up on the model

- Attend the 3-days of training

- Sit for, and pass, the CMMI V2.0 Associate Exam


If you HAVE taken the official CMMI v1.3 Introduction to CMMI class

-either take the class (above) or sign up for the online CMMI v1.3 to CMMI v2.0 transition course at http://CMMIInstitute.com.  (3 day V2.0 class is recommended)

- Sit for, and pass, the CMMI V2.0 Associate Exam


Once you've completed one of these options, you'll should purchase an annual license to the model viewer for $400 in order to have access during the appraisal.  Your appraisal is a long time out, and there could be changes between now and then. 

Good luck!

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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.

I have two Appraisal Team questions

1. Exactly what can & cannot be kept following an appraisal in the way of written notes, excel files etc that where generated by the ATMs during the appraisal?

2. Can ATM team members use laptops during the final appraisal in document review, during interviews etc.?

Take only memories, leave only footprints . . . . oh, that's the National Forest!

Any SCAMPI Appraisal generates a large amount of written documentation including interview questions, answers, practice characterizations, findings, and observations. The Appraisal Plan, and subsequent entries in the SEI's SAS system will identify the formal appraisal outputs that, at a minimum, include Final Findings, Appraisal Plan, and the Appraisal Disclosure Statement. Any notes or written documents that identify the source of the information, for example an answer to an interview question, should be destroyed in order to maintain the "non-attribution" policy that exists within the method. NA is a critical component, as a violation cast doubt on the reliability of the responses to the questions. This includes spreadsheets and files that identify which project team information was derived from. I usually recommend destroying everything that is not part of the formal appraisal record.

I also usually ask the Appraisal Team Members to not use laptops during interviews. I have found that this is odistracting to the interviewees, and often makes them more nervous than they already are. I have also seen ATM's surfing the web and playing with email when they should be listening and taking notes.

Call me old-fashioned, but a yellow pad and pen is the best tool for this job.

www.broadswordsolutions.com