Selecting Disciplines

Disciplines are addressed in this book by the process areas associated with them and by model components called discipline amplifications.

A process area is a cluster of related best practices in an area that, when implemented collectively, satisfies a set of goals considered important for making significant improvement in that area.

A discipline amplification is a model component that contains information relevant to a particular discipline. In Part Two, you will find paragraphs labeled "For Software Engineering." These paragraphs are discipline amplifications for software engineers. This information applies only if you are improving your software engineering processes. The same is true for the other disciplines.

Because this book contains all of the disciplines currently available in CMMI, you must selectively apply the process areas found in this book to achieve your objectives.

Process Areas for Systems Engineering

If you are improving your systems engineering processes, you should select from the following process areas. The discipline amplifications for systems engineering receive special emphasis.

• Causal Analysis and Resolution

• Configuration Management

• Decision Analysis and Resolution

• Integrated Project Management (the first two specific goals)

• Measurement and Analysis

• Organizational Innovation and Deployment

• Organizational Process Definition

• Organizational Process Focus

• Organizational Process Performance

• Organizational Training

• Product Integration

• Project Monitoring and Control

• Project Planning

• Process and Product Quality Assurance

• Quantitative Project Management

• Requirements Development

• Requirements Management

• Risk Management

• Supplier Agreement Management

• Technical Solution

• Validation

• Verification

Process Areas for Software Engineering

If you are improving your software engineering processes, you will choose from the process areas that are the same as those listed for systems engineering. The only differences are that the discipline amplifications for software engineering receive special emphasis.

Process Areas for Integrated Product and Process Development

If you are improving your integrated product and process development processes, you will choose from the process areas that are the same as those listed for systems engineering with two additional process areas and additional best practices in the Integrated Project Management process area. The discipline amplifications for IPPD receive special emphasis.

The additional process areas are as follows:

• Integrated Teaming

• Organizational Environment for Integration

Process Areas for Supplier Sourcing

If you are improving your source selection processes, you will choose from the process areas that are the same as those listed for systems engineering with one additional process area. The discipline amplifications for supplier sourcing receive special emphasis

The additional process area is as follows:

• Integrated Supplier Management

Multiple Disciplines

If you are improving multiple disciplines, choose from the process areas listed under all of the relevant disciplines and pay attention to all of the discipline amplifications for those disciplines.

A Conclusion

The only distinction between CMMI models for systems engineering and software engineering is the type of discipline amplifications included. This similarity of material was an intentional decision made during the development of CMMI. CMMI focuses on product development, improving both your systems engineering and software engineering functions with an integrated approach.