Structures of the Continuous and Staged Representations

The structures of the continuous and staged representations are illustrated in Figure 5.1. Some differences jump out at you immediately when you look at the structure of both representations. The staged representation has maturity levels and common features, whereas the continuous representation does not.

Figure 5.1. Structure of the Continuous and Staged Representations

graphics/05fig01.gif

What may strike you as you compare these two representations is their similarity. Both representations have many of the same components (e.g., process areas, specific goals, and specific practices). Furthermore, these components have the same general hierarchy and a similar configuration.

What is not readily apparent from the high-level view of Figure 5.1 is that the continuous representation focuses on process area capability as measured by capability levels and that the staged representation focuses on organizational maturity as measured by maturity levels. These dimensions (the capability/maturity dimensions) of CMMI are used for benchmarking and appraisal activities, as well as guiding an organization's improvement efforts.

  • Capability levels, which belong to a continuous representation, apply to an organization's process improvement achievement in individual process areas. These levels are a means for incrementally improving the processes corresponding to a given process area. There are six capability levels, numbered 0 through 5.

  • Maturity levels, which belong to a staged representation, apply to an organi zation's process improvement achievement across multiple process areas. These levels are a means of predicting the general outcomes of the next project undertaken. There are five maturity levels, numbered 1 through 5.

Table 5.1 compares the six capability levels to the five maturity levels. Notice that the names of four of the levels are the same in both representations. The difference is that there is no maturity level 0 for the staged representation and at level 1, the capability level is Performed whereas the maturity level is Initial. Therefore, the starting point is different for the two representations.

The continuous representation is concerned with selecting both a particular process area to improve and the granularity of improvement within that process area (i.e., you are improving not only "what you do" but also "how you do it). In this context, whether the specific goals are performed or incomplete is important. Therefore, the name "Incomplete" is given to the continuous representation starting point.

Table 5.1. Comparison of Capability and Maturity Levels

Levels

Continuous Representation Capability Levels

Staged Representation Maturity Level

Level 0

Incomplete

N/A

Level 1

Performed

Initial

Level 2

Managed

Managed

Level 3

Defined

Defined

Level 4

Quantitatively Managed

Quantitatively Managed

Level 5

Optimizing

Optimizing

Because the staged representation is concerned with the overall maturity of a set of processes, whether individual processes are performed or incomplete is of little consequence. Therefore, the name "Initial" is given to the staged representation starting point.

Both capability levels and maturity levels provide a way to measure how well organizations can and do improve their processes. However, the approach to process improvement is different.



CMMI (c) Guidelines for Process Integration and Product Improvement
CMMI (c) Guidelines for Process Integration and Product Improvement
ISBN: N/A
EAN: N/A
Year: 2006
Pages: 378

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