What are the CMMI Generic Practices for?

Hey, CMMI Appraiser – why is it that we have to worry so much about these Generic Practices? Seems like a big headache to me - Jim W, Minneapolis, MN

Greetings, Jim! Thank you for submitting the first question to be answered in our new CMMI-TV series! Like this blog, CMMI-TV is a place where we can add value to the engineering and software development community by offering advice on engineering strategy, performance innovation and software process improvement. Below is a video clip with my answer to your question, followed by a synopsis of my response. Enjoy!

OVERVIEW

The CMMI (Capability Maturity Model Integration), is a model that helps us build better software and run better projects.

The Generic Practices apply to all process areas in the CMMI – which is why they should have been named the Most Important Practices.

Regardless of what type of method, technique or process that you use, the Generic Practices can really help jump start the success of those practices.

The Generic Practices apply to activities that the organization performs, not necessarily the individual projects. The guidance provided by the Generic Practice includes but is not limited to:

SETTING EXPECTATIONS

• How long are our Sprints?
• What kind of retrospectives do we have?
• What kind of code reviews should we run?
• Should we comment our code, and how should we comment it?

PLANNING

• How many Sprints are we going to have?
• How many phases are we going to have?
• How many releases are we going to have?
• What kind of requirements management tools are we going to use?

ASSIGNING RESPONSIBILITY

• Who is going to be involved?
• When are they going to be involved?

PROVIDING TRAINING

• Are we providing training? For example, if I’m going to ask you to do Planning Poker and use it as a way to estimate the size of a project or a particular user story, do I plan to train you on how to use those tools?

MONITORING THE HEALTH OF THE PROCESS

• How is the process working?
• Are we getting value out of our sprints, phases and the tools that we are using, out of the techniques that we are employing?
• If we aren’t getting value, why not? And if not, let’s make them better!
• Are people actually using these processes?
• If they aren’t, why not?

MANAGEMENT

• Is management paying attention to all of this data?
• Are they doing something about it to make the company an even better company?

CONSTANTLY IMPROVING

• Are we constantly improving the processes?

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

Don't miss our CMMI Training class coming up in Virginia February 11-14, 2013
Introduction to CMMI-DEV v1.3. Register at www.broadswordsolutions.com

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 about running a successful CMMI and performance improvement program.

How can the CMMI improve Agile methods?

At a recent Agile Leaders Network (ALN) meeting in Washington, D.C. on CMMI and Scrum,  the Lead Appraiser answered an attendee's question about how the CMMI can improve Agile methods.  Enjoy!

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

Don't miss our CMMI Training class coming up in Virginia February 11-14, 2013

Introduction to CMMI-DEV v1.3.  Register at www.broadswordsolutions.com

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 about running a successful CMMI and performance improvement program.

Can we be CMMI Level 3 without losing our agility?

Dear CMMI Appraiser, I’ve been enjoying your posts about Agile and CMMI.  I am the founder of an Agile organization that has grown to 40 people.  We aren’t about process at all, but I’d like to see us adopt more of a CMMI Level 3 mindset.  Our CMMI Consultant tells us we're pitiful and need help.  Can companies like ours become CMMI compliant without losing the flexibility and freedom that makes us who we are?  ~Louis

Louis,

Hmmm.  Not a very nice thing for your CMMI Consultant to say about you...isn't he the one supposed to be giving you help?  


Yes, companies like yours really can achieve great benefit from using both CMMI and Agile.  The combination allows you to exploit synergies that have the potential to dramatically improve business performance.

However, when you say you aren’t about process, I would challenge that.  If you are really using Agile techniques, you are, without a doubt ALL about process!  As I tell the attendees in my CMMI Training class,  that’s nothing to be ashamed of! It's ok, we all know :)  You should be proud that you’ve been able to stay flexible while incorporating useful processes like daily stand-ups, planning poker, and more.  A good CMMI Lead Appraiser should be able to recognize those things as useful to your organization and make some suggestions for making them even better.

The good news about CMMI is that it aligns very well with all of the major Agile methods.  And it can be used to make those things even better! For example, take a look at how the CMMI practices correspond with some of the more common agile techniques: 

This should help your organization start to move in a direction where you can use the CMMI to help improve and still be Agile and light-weight.  The truth is, not only can you be light and Agile, but you can still have choices that will meet the needs of each project.  Choices are what give you the freedom to be who you are, and to do it the right way for each given situation.  If you were to come to me for some CMMI Consulting I would offer you this same advice.

Many people mistakenly believe that, in order to adopt the CMMI, they need to adopt a culture of rigid compliance that kills your freedom.  Nothing could be further from the truth.  It's all about choices - something the SEI calls "tailoring."

At this point, Louis, adopting the CMMI in your Agile organization may be the adventure you are ready for.

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

Learn more about CMMI Appraisals at www.broadswordsolutions.com