2012 saw more CMMI Appraisals than any previous years

Dear Readers,

According to the CMMI Institute's 2013 CMMI Profile Reports, there were more appraisals conducted in 2013 than in any other previous year.  This would indicate that, far from "not being relevant" as is sometimes claimed in the tech media,  the CMMI is increasing in popularity - even in a down economy.    I've been writing about this for some time since the best time to turn to proven optimization models is in a down economy.  With the new adopters being primary smaller organizations (see two posts below), we're seeing more new activity than ever before.  Here's the data:

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

Jeff Dalton is a Certified SCAMPI Lead Appraiser, Certified CMMI Instructor, ScrumMaster, author, and consultant with years of real-world experience with the CMMI in all types of organizations. Jeff pioneered agileCMMI, the leading methodology for incremental and iterative process improvement. He 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 about engineering strategy, performance innovation , software process improvement and running a successful CMMI program.

To download eBooks about CMMI, visit Jeff’s Author Page on Amazon.

Why I'm coming to SEPGNA this year - Reason #7

The #7 Reason to Attend SEPGNA: Albuquerque is a treasure of the Southwest

By Jeff Dalton

Howdy, Partners!  As anybody with horse sense knows, this CMMI appraiser is a straight-shooter (maybe a little too straight I’ve been told).  There ain’t no ballyhoo to my Top 10 Reasons for moseying down to the SEPG North America rodeo on March 12-15 in Albuquerque (for proof, you can skedaddle over to Reason #10, Reason #9 and Reason #8).  Now, before y’all start raising Cain about my phony cowpoke accent, allow me to drop it like a hot tater, and give you Reason #7.

There, I dropped it.  Just in time, too.  My neighbors here in Michigan were starting to look at me funny.

So, without further delay, let’s get on with my list of Top 10 Reasons to attend SEPG North America 2012.

Drum roll, please!  Reason #7 is …

Albuquerque is a treasure of the American Southwest.

As you may know, every year a different, unique location plays host to the SEPG North America conference.

This year, the 24th annual SEPG North America conference is in Albuquerque, New Mexico.  You’ll keep busy with 100 technical sessions, designed to equip you with implementable solutions that can help you Reach New Levels of Excellence and achieve a positive return on your investment from process improvement.  But you’ll have some free time, too, and may want to do some exploring.

Here are some of the many unforgettable experiences awaiting you in Albuquerque:

• Immerse yourself in rich Southwestern culture and heritage
• Soak in the blue skies and sun that shines 310 days a year
• Breathe in the high desert air scented with sage and piñon
• Shop for authentic Native American jewelry
• Try hot air ballooning
• Visit living history museums
• Enjoy Albuquerque events and festivals
• Sample local cuisines
• Hit the golf courses and spas
• Relax by the pool with the CMMI book (no napping!)

… and much more.  So come on down for the great technical sessions, powerful networking opportunities, and that life-giving sunshine.  Oh, and don’t forget to register by February 10, 2012.  You’ll save up to $300 off regular, full-conference registration rates.

Need more reasons to go?  Check back soon for Reason #6.

Jeff Dalton is President of Broadsword Solutions Corporation and the incoming Chairman of the SEI’s Partner Advisory Board.  He is a CMMI SCAMPI Lead Appraiser whose blogging can be read at sepgconference.wordpress.com.  He can be reached at appraiser@broadswordsolutions.com.

Why I'm going to SEPG (again) this year - Reason #8!

The #8 Reason to Attend SEPGNA: To Have Meaningful Conversations

Howdy, Partners!  Albuquerque Jeff here.  I know some bushwhackers who wouldn’t know a blog post from a hitchn’ post, so you must be purdy smart to be reading my Top Ten Reasons for coming out west to the SEPG North America rodeo on March 12-15 in Albuquerque.  (Case you missed ‘em, you can point your six-shooter and click on Reason #10 and Reason #9.)  Now I’ll just drop my phony cowpoke accent, and get straight to Reason #8.

You know, if I keep this up, I might forget how to talk in plain English!  So, with no more nonsense, allow me to continue my list of Top 10 Reasons to attend SEPG North America 2012.

Drum roll, please!  Reason #8 is …

It’s a great place to have meaningful conversations.

Every year, the SEPG North America conference draws a wide variety of engineering and software professionals, who come from a vast array of disciplines.  Some want more information on multi-model approaches.  Some are interested in practical process improvement, while others get passionate about high maturity.  And don’t get me started on agile and CMMI!

This year, with the theme Reaching New Levels of Excellence, the 24th annual SEPG North America conference will give Partners and companies even more to talk about.  We’ll discuss both principle and practice.  We’ll talk about CMMI and process improvement.  We’ll share best practices, tips and techniques.  We’ll dig into what we’re all doing to deliver value.  And we’ll have a back-and-forth on how to maximize impact and business results that we can all take home to our organizations.

And what better place for conversations about the power of process improvement than at SEPG North America, with people like you and me, who get it?

So come on down and talk with folks who understand.  And don’t forget to register by February 10, 2012.  You’ll save up to $300 off regular, full-conference registration rates.

Need more reasons?  Check back soon for Reason #7.

Jeff Dalton is President of Broadsword Solutions Corporation and the incoming Chairman of the SEI’s Partner Advisory Board.  He is a SCAMPI Lead Appraiser and Certified CMMI Instructor and can be reached at appraiser@broadswordsolutions.com.