How to achieve CMMI Level 3 Certification for any Organization

Author: Rachel White

CMMI is a software development process improvement approach which has become the standard for measuring an organization's capability to apply a process based methodology to software development. CMMI helps integrate traditionally separate organizational functions, set process improvement goals and priorities, provide guidance for quality processes, and provide a point of reference for appraising current processes. This approach integrates the entire spectrum of software development including software engineering, testing, and project management.

Earning CMMI level 3 Certification is an important milestone in a quality product to deliver to customers. These include Requirement Management, Project Planning, Project Management & Controlling, Supplier Agreement and Management, Measurement & Analysis, Process and Product Quality Assurance, Configuration Management, Demand Design, Technical Solution, Product Integration, Verification, Validation, Organizational Process Focus, Integrated project management, Risk management, decision Analysis and resolution. The auditors also check the management systems to ensure continuous monitoring, review and improvement of the system.

CMMI is a framework for software process improvement. CMMI is divided into Maturity Levels, then these maturity levels are further divided into Process Areas and every process in the area is further divided into specific practices. At Maturity Level 3, there are 18 Process Areas to be met.

CMMI level 3 Certification can be achieved by following the activities as follows:

Determination: First thing that is required is the seriousness and determination of an organization to achieve CMMI Maturity Level 3.

Training on CMMI: Experienced consultants should be hired for providing CMMI Official Intro Training to Organization Project Managers and Quality Assurance Group.

Hire CMMI Lead Appraiser: A lead appraiser is Authorized Person who conduct of assessment of organization or the IT Department and provide the assessment ratings. Only after this assessment, ratings received from them and after approval by them one can say themselves CMMI Assessed Company for CMMI Maturity Level 3.

Processes and Implementation: The organization needs to have processes to satisfy the requirements of CMMI. Organization also needs to show the implementation of these processes in projects.

Pre-assessments: Organization can opt for Pre-Assessments before going for formal Assessment. This helps organization in measuring the effort spent by them on the CMMI Implementations and also help them in identification of Opportunities for improvement.

Final Assessment: Final Assessment can be prepared on the basis of formal assessment. On successful completion of the formal assessment organization can say that they have been successfully assessed for CMMI Maturity Level 3 and they have achieved it.