CMMI(R): Guidelines for Process Integration and Product Improvement [Hardcover]

Mary Beth Chrissis (Author), Mike Konrad (Author), Sandy Shrum (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0321154967 | ISBN-13: 978-0321154965 | Publication Date: March 6, 2003

The Capability Maturity Model (CMM) is a framework widely used to assess an organization's processes in carrying out specific activities, to guide the implemention of improvements, and to measure progress. There currently are CMM frameworks for software (documented in our CMM book), systems, acquisition, and human resources. The new Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI) is an attempt by the Department of Defense and a consortium of companies to integrate the CMMs, which often differ in significant ways, into a single coherent model. The CMMI includes two representations -- a staged representation (where organizations can rise from one level to another) and a continuous representation (where there are steady improvements). The market will decide which representation is preferable; this book covers them both with practical examples that allow readers to assess their level of maturity, and most importantly, improve it!

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Many organizations use Capability Maturity Models® (CMMs®) to assess development and maintenance processes, implement improvements, and measure progress. Although consistent in purpose, these models differ in terminology and design--enough sometimes to cause conflict and confusion when used within the same organization. Addressing the need for a more coordinated approach, Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI®) provides a single framework for improvement in software engineering, systems engineering, integrated product and process development, and supplier sourcing.

This book is the definitive reference for the most current release of CMMI models. To use a CMMI model available on the SEI Web site, users must choose from among multiple models based on their organization's improvement needs. This book provides a single source for all CMMI model information. Readers can get started without having to select a model first--all of the choices are compiled in one place and explained in detail.

The book begins with background information needed to understand the content and structure of these integrated models and how to use them. A case study illustrates their implementation in a real environment. A variety of practical material, such as glossary and index, is also provided. The bulk of the book comprises the content of all CMMI models, covering the 25 process areas (PAs) that span the product life cycle, including detailed best practices.

All CMMI models have two representations. The continuous representation allows an organization to improve using selected PAs at different rates. The staged representation enables organizations to follow a predefined and proven improvement path using multiple PAs. Both representations are described so that readers will more clearly see the similarities and differences between the two representations and will be able to choose the right approach for their organization.

Whether you are new to CMMI or are already familiar with some version of it, this book is an essential resource for managers, practitioners, and process improvement team members who need to understand, evaluate, and/or implement a CMMI model. The ultimate objective of CMMI is integrating processes to improve products; this book contains everything you need to get that done.

0321154967B01232003

About the Author

Mary Beth Chrissis is a Senior Member of the Technical Staff at the Software Engineering Institute. Since 1988, Chrissis developed all releases of the Capability Maturity Model(r) for Software (SW-CMM) and the Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI) models.  She was a principal contributor to The Capability Maturity Model: Guidelines for Improving the Software Process.  Chrissis is a member of the CMMI Configuration Control Board and is an instructor for numerous SW-CMM and CMMI courses.

 

Mike Konrad is chairman of the CMMI Configuration Control Board and has been a team leader of CMMI model development since 1998. Mike was also a member of teams that developed Software CMM version 1.0, Software Development Capability Evaluation, and International Organization for Standardization 15504 model requirements. Mike has 24 years experience in software engineering, holding various positions in industry and academia. Mike received a Ph.D. in Mathematics from Ohio University in 1978.

 

Sandy Shrum is a senior writer/editor at the Software Engineering Institute. Since 1998, she has served on the CMMI Product Team in roles such as author, reviewer, editor, and quality assurance process owner. Sandy also serves on the CMMI configuration control board and is the CMMI communications coordinator. She has over fourteen years experience as a technical communicator in the software industry. Sandy earned her MS in professional writing from Carnegie Mellon in 1988.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 688 pages
• Publisher: Addison-Wesley Professional (March 6, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0321154967
• ISBN-13: 978-0321154965
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.3 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (30 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,047,769 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wish I had this book last year, May 14, 2005

By 

David Bock "javaguy" (Hamilton, VA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: CMMI(R): Guidelines for Process Integration and Product Improvement (Hardcover)

Last year my company was rated a CMM level 2 organization, and we decided to begin the transition to CMMi Level 3. Even though we are working with a consultant, the amount of new material was daunting... 'What is the difference between CMM and CMMi?', 'What is the staged vs. continuous representation?', 'what are all of the se SW/SE and iPPD pieces of the CMMi? Are they Optional?'. There are a TON of questions, and answers can be hard to find, especially when the 'official' docs are about as exciting to read as the little pamphlets that come with perscription medicines.

This book answers those questions and more, explaining in pretty practical language what the CMMi is, what the structure of the whole model is about, and finally tunneling down into the details of each process area. I wish I had that knowledge when we were making some of our initial decisions.

I'm not exactly a fan of the CMM/CMMi methodologies, but I have experienced first hand the result of the improvement efforts we have introduced. Ultimately though, I don't think it matters much WHAT methodology you are following; a group of people interested in improving themselves will do well with any methodology, CMMi, RUP, Agile, or otherwise. If you are committed to the CMMi approach, this book needs to be in your toolchest. If you are evaluating different process improvement efforts, this book will help you understand the CMMi approach. It doesn't provide any comparison or contrast to other methodologies; for that you would need other reference material.

57 of 70 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars not many "productive" pages, April 24, 2004

By 

Gerold Keefer (Stuttgart, Germany) - See all my reviews

This review is from: CMMI(R): Guidelines for Process Integration and Product Improvement (Hardcover)

- 447 pages are a 1:1 copy of the freely available CMMI 1.1
process area description.
- 33 pages consist of a case study of a CMMI implementation.
- 70 pages are references, glossary and index.
- the remainging 100 pages are a re-hash of general
CMMI information plus -more importantly- additional
information on the interpretation of generic goals and
on process areas relationships revealing that around
15 process areas are "fundamental" and the rest is
"progressive". my interpretation of "fundamental" is
"you need them really".

overall it would have been more precise if the title would
read "CMMI 1.1 annotated reference".

UPDATE 2004-04-24:
re-reading parts of the book i have to further downgrade it:

1. in the preface section it gives the misleading advice that
the CMMI can be used for service industries and that it covers
the whole product life cycle. this is not true: the CMMI is a
standard for development only.

2. the book further claims that the CMMI is the best model
for process improvement. there is no evidence i am aware of
that supports this claim.

3. the book recommends to use the staged representation
of the CMMI in case of uncertainty. this is a highly doubtful
advice considering the fact the the PA sequence of the stage
representation has major disadvantages.

best regards,

gerold

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Easy to Use, March 14, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: CMMI(R): Guidelines for Process Integration and Product Improvement (Hardcover)

For all of you who have spiral binders or those huge 3-ring binders of the CMMI model, this is the book for you. It is condensed, addresses both staged and continuous representations and has from what I can tell all the information from the 725 page version available from the SEI website. It is organized a little differently but, it is pretty user friendly. It has tab like features that identify the process areas and the process areas are in alphabetical order - very easy to use. I know carry this around with me like I used to carry around the CMM hardcover version.