What’s different about the new CMMI V2.0 Training classes?

Hey, CMMI Appraiser, I took your “Introduction to CMMI-DEV v1.3” training in Detroit, Michigan.  Now we’re looking at a 2020 appraisal, and want to get our Lead Appraisal Team together for CMMI 2.0. What’s changed in the CMMI 2.0 Training class? ~ Mitch M. 

Mitch, thanks for staying in touch. As I said in class, the CMMI is 100% about solving business problems. It’s not about documents, ratings or certificates. That’s one thing that will never change. In fact, CMMI V2.0 focuses even more on that.

But you’re right – just about everything else changes with the CMMI 2.0 upgrade, including the way the CMMI Training class is conducted.

To begin with, there no longer will be a 3-day “Introduction to CMMI” class.

It’s still a 3-day commitment for you though. But instead of one class, there are two classes. The first class, “Foundations of Capability,” is two days, followed by a one-day “Building DEV Excellence” class.

FOUNDATIONS OF CAPABILITY

Many significant changes occur in the two-day part of the class.

CMMI V2.0 Associate Exam Included 

Included in the price, and as part of the class, you get the CMMI V2.0 Associate Exam. Now, everyone who takes the class will have an opportunity to become certified, but you don't HAV to take ik - unless you want to be on an appraisal team.  Which brings us to . . .

New Appraisal Team Requirements 

Everyone who will be on your Appraisal Team for CMMI V2.0 will need to complete the CMMI V2.0 Associate Exam successfully. Previously, it was only necessary for them to complete the class. Now, you also have to take the test and pass it.

You Get Access to a Model Viewer 

During the CMMI V2.0 training class, you will be given a license to use the Model Viewer. As the name implies, the Model Viewer is your view of the Model, replacing the old “constellations” such as DEV, SVC and ACQ. You’ll be able to use the Model Viewer in class, as you’re learning, and for up to thirday days afterward for the test.

So that's the required two-day class. It is followed by the required one-day class.

BUILDING DEV EXCELLENCE

This class is your one day add-on if your organization is interested in an appraisal for CMMI Development, or if you just want to learn about CMMI Development.

Think of it as a supplement class, like the ones available today for SVC or DEV. The one-day CMMI V2.0 class serves the same function. You can take the DEV supplement, and in the future take a SVC or the People or a Cyber Security supplement – whatever you choose to add on to your basic Foundations of Capability certification.

My classes take place three days in a row. We administer the CMMI Associate Exam on the third day, so that everyone gets the benefit of all three days before they have to take the test. You can sign up for one here: https://broadswordsolutions.com/events/category/classes/

Just remember that your team must complete the CMMI certification exam before they can sit on an appraisal team.

Looking forward to seeing you in the new CMMI V2.0 class!

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.

Is there a video that gives an overview of CMMI 2.0?

Hey, CMMI Appraiser,

I was looking for an overview of CMMI V2.0 on video.  Can you recommend something about CMMI 2.0 on Youtube? Thanks. ~ Scott B.

Hey, Scott! The best place to go for videos on CMMI 2.0 is CMMI-TV, our YouTube channel.

Check out my series of videos highlighting all of the CMMI V2.0 model on CMMI-TV:

If you are interested in learning more about using CMMI V2.0 to improve the performance, or just to get a rating for your company in this new model, we offer classes in both CMMI and Agile.  Go to cmmi2training.com for more information.

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

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.

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.

Bon voyage, sweet Generics, we hardly knew ya!

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

Thirteen practices, eighteen process areas, and a whole lot of discovery goin' on! We've all just gotten used to it - now you can say goodbye to the Generic Practices....FOREVER!**

The CMMI's Generic Practices (GPs), the set of 13 practices that serve as the "secret sauce" for ensuring institutionalization and adoption across all of the process areas, have been part of the CMMI since the beginning. 

As I've taught in 100+ CMMI training classes, they are the definition of "goodness" for successful process implementation.

Currently, users of the CMMI model apply the following Generic Practices to every process thread:

GP1.1: Perform Specific Practices (show up, do your work, duh)

GP2.1: Establish an Organizational Policy (ensure everyone understands what is expected of them)

GP2.2: Plan the Process (plan out how the process will be executed, so everyone knows)

GP2.3 Provide Resources (make sure all the tools, funding, and other resources are provided to be successful)

GP2.4: Assign Responsibility (assign process roles, not job titles)

GP2.5: Train People: (yeah, yeah, yeah, no one does this...enough)

GP2.6: Control Work Products (don't be a jerk, save your work)

GP2.7: Identify and Involve Relevant Stakeholders (are people playing their process roles?)

GP2.8: Monitor and Control the Process (is it working as planned?)

GP2.9: Objectively Evaluate Adherance (are people using the process?)

GP2.10: Review Status with Higher Level Management (making sure they care)

GP3.1: Establish a Defined Process (the project gets to tailor the process)

GP3.2 Collect Process Related Experiences (long way of saying lessons-learned, metrics, retros)

I've long said that the GPs are the best part of the CMMI, and they are what really differentiates it from other models.  And they're going away.

In CMMI v2.0 there will be more Practice Areas [heads up: name change in v2.0]  focused on the process, and two of them, Implementation Infrastructure (II) and Governance (GOV), will serve a similar function to the GPs.  We'll do a direct mapping in a later post, but for now, the practice areas include:

Implementation Infrastructure (II)

II will include practices for performing the process, providing resources, training, using organizational assets, and collecting lessons and assets.  Sound familiar?

Governance (GOV)

GOV covers more ground than the Generic Practices, but it also includes setting of policies and expectations, providing resources for continuous improvement, and adhering to policies.

So, yeah, the Generic Practices.

It's my understanding that both II and GOV will need to be applied to ALL Practice Areas in scope for an appraisal, and the "level" of each must match the target maturity level (think "Continuous Representation" and you'll get the idea).  Of course - some of this might change prior to release on March 31, but this seems pretty well baked.  So, at least they've kept the functionality.

So, the days of using the Generic Practices as a handy "front-of-book, back-of-the-book" reference are over, and you'll no longer have them to kick around during appraisals.  But now we'll have II and GOV to look forward to - so onward!

There are quite a few other changes – including how CMMI Training has changed (next week), 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."

** all of this could change before the release on March 31, although I doubt it will.

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.

Doin' the SCAMPI Shuffle: Hello Benchmarking!

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

Doin' the SCAMPI Shuffle!

What happens to SCAMPI in CMMI v2.0?

CMMI v1.3

If you're a follower of my blog, you know (and love) SCAMPI - the "Standard CMMI Method for Process Improvement," the globally adored standard method for conducting CMMI Appraisals resulting in a Maturity Level (or Capability Level) rating (ex. "ML4").

Actually, there are three different flavors of SCAMPI.  The best known is the SCAMPI A, or "Class A" appraisal.  This is the most rigorous appraisal, has a high evidence requirement, and is the only appraisal that can result in a Maturity Level Rating.

The other two are:

• Class B, a less rigorous cousin of "A's" that is often used as a Readiness Appraisal or "system test" prior to conducting a Class A.
• Class C, which is often used as an early gap analysis tool.  Both have their place, but don't result in a maturity level.

The entire objective of a SCAMPI appraisal, regardless of type, is to evaluate the process improvement infrastructure that an organization has deployed, and to identify, using evidence-based methods, opportunities for improvement.  As they say, "SCAMPI without Process Improvement is a SCAM."  Or something.

At some point, our friends in the government (followed by many commercial enterprises) started to require a successful SCAMPI A ("get a level") as part of their selection process, and that put the industry on a trajectory towards growing the number (and cost) of SCAMPI A Appraisals.

In fact, cost, primarily the internal kind, has become the #1 impediment to companies adopting CMMI, and since they don't adopt it, they often can't bid. See the problem?  Thanks, government.

Enter CMMI v2.0

Join us for CMMI v2.0 Training!

CMMI v2.0 is an entirely new, downsized, and improved model along with a shiny new (yet to be named) appraisal methodology.  All we know now about the name is that it won't be named "SCAMPI."

Instead of a SCAMPI A there'll be a "Benchmarking" appraisal.  That appraisal, like a CMMI v1.3 appraisal, will have a shelf-life of three years.

Then comes the "Sustainment" appraisal.  If the organization hasn't changed much, and they conduct one of there babies prior to expiration, they get to conduct a smaller, more efficient appraisal that is good for TWO years.  This is similar in concept to the ill-fated "SCAMPI-E" that never really got much traction in v1.3.

After that, we have the "Evaluation" appraisal.  This is similar to a Class C, or even a Class B, in that it doesn't result in a maturity level, but is open to tailoring, unlike the Benchmarking appraisal.

There are quite a few other changes - including how the sample will be generated, requirements of appraisal team members, 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.