CMMI Appraisal

What Is A CMMI Appraisal?

A CMMI appraisal is a way for an organization to assess its processes and practices to assist the business in identifying strengths and weaknesses by comparing its current processes against the best practice model -CMMI. A CMMI appraisal seeks to assess the levels of best practices employed, documented, monitored and followed to find the actionable emphasis on performance improvements having the greatest impact on the business to increase capabilities. SteelToad has CMMI-authorized CMMI Lead Appraisers and is able to assist your company in its appraisal. Achieving a benchmark maturity or skill level can demonstrate high quality and professionalism to the administration’s clients and business partners, as achievements are measurable and visible.

To ensure the integrity of an appraisal, the CMMI Institute has created a specific process and methodology to perform a CMMI Appraisal. A Lead Appraiser and Appraisal Team Members make up the Appraisal team.

The CMMI Appraisal Method Definition Document(MDD) is the appraisal approach ISACA/CMMI has approved for use in appraising an organization’s processes to provide a rating of the organization’s performance and capabilities. These ratings are intended to assist companies with a benchmark in identifying areas for improvement, measuring progress, and increasing performance compared to industry best practices.

The CMMI appraisal methods provide a variety of steps and assignments for conducting appraisals in connection to the CMMI model.

• Appraisals are specially developed to be flexible and accessible to a variety of enterprises, industries, and project types.
• It is designed to help organizations improve their performance and meet customer needs. It can be used to help organizations prepare for assessments and improve their risk management capabilities.
•  It makes it possible for emerging or changing technologies to be adopted more quickly, easily, and effectively to address performance improvements.

• CMMI allows organizations to remain competitive and stay ahead of their competition. It helps them to reduce rework and improve efficiency. CMMI helps organizations to capitalize on opportunities and access new markets.

The CMMI Appraisal methodology uses a collaborative approach (lead appraiser and appraisal team members) to ensure appraisal objectives are met, defined, and accurately documented to increase performance and add business value. By focusing on performance for process implementation, the CMMI Appraisal team can discuss gaps and underperforming process areas in a collaborative way to ensure the feedback to the client is constructive, adds value, and is accurate.

The Purpose Of A CMMI Appraisal

A CMMI appraisal is intended to help an organization identify and prioritize its business improvement initiatives in order to generate business value. In CMMI benchmarking, a company is evaluated according to its compliance and maturity level. It is useful for evaluating the capabilities and performance of any organization.

For each class purchased, it should be listed on this page. Students should see the CMMI Course name, instructor, and dates of the course. If you have any questions, please email julie@steeltoad.com

CMMI Rating Appraisal Process

A CMMI appraisal looks at how closely an organization’s processes follow CMMI best practices and identifies the processes’ strengths and weaknesses within an organization. With the help of an appraisal, businesses can define and improve their capabilities by focusing on performance improvements that have the most impact on the business.

CMMI ratings are earned by an organization or business having successfully been appraised and achieving the required level of maturity in practice areas. A Benchmark rating is achieved through an appraisal conducted by a SteelToad registered appraiser. Successful maturity ratings in a CMMI model are an indicator your organization is consistently meeting the best practices of excellence set by the CMMI Institute in aligning with a particular CMMI model, and the maturity level.

Most businesses may begin with a gap analysis to identify CMMI model practice areas needing improvement. A gap analysis is a thorough evaluation of all model view practice areas to determine whether your organization is following best practices in these areas.

Organizations begin the CMMI adoption process by identifying a certified CMMI partner, who will provide a CMMI Lead Appraiser to perform the appraisal and is certified by the CMMI Institute/ISACA.

Here is how SteelToad can help you with your CMMI goals:

Before

SteelToad is prepared to submit a proposal for CMMI services in order to help your business achieve its CMMI objectives, and during our initial conversation, we will be able to address any inquiries you might have as well. Some of the information we may need includes the following:

1. Description of your current project environment.
2. CMMI Models your organization’s plans on adopting.
3. Gap assessment requirements.
4. New Appraisal or Re-Appraisal (and expiration date).
5. Best practices currently implemented within your organization (CMMI, ISO, or other).
6. Timeframe.
7. CMMI training.

Schedule a meeting/call with SteelToad by contacting julie@steeltoad.com.

1. After SteelToad meets with your organization, and if requested, SteelToad will present the organization with a proposal outlining how we deliver tailored CMMI services to satisfy your requirements. SteelToad’s proposal covers the price, anticipated completion time for the services, and our appraisal methodology.
2. If your organization requires additional information, SteelToad would be happy to arrange a follow-up meeting to clarify the proposal or if your team requires further details.
3. Finally, if you choose SteelToad to support your CMMI goals, we confirm dates and proceed with a kickoff meeting, appraisal plan, schedule, and remaining tasks to go forward.
4. Communication is key. We want to help you with your CMMI process, training, and goals, and we work to ensure the communication is effective, and that we are on the same path to success.

During Appraisal Life-Cycle Flow

SteelToad implements four phases to conduct a CMMI Appraisal. The four phases are as follows:

Phase 1: Plan And Prepare For The CMMI Appraisal

In this stage, SteelToad ensures all requirements from your organization, as well as its CMMI goals, are understood. We make certain our strategy is reflective of your requirements and we are on a path to successfully address your CMMI goals.

SteelToad develops a CMMI Appraisal Plan and schedule. The CMMI Appraisal Plan is the main work product we use to communicate with you. Appraisal planning and advance scheduling preserve the integrity of the CMMI appraisal process by preventing “rushed” or “last-minute” CMMI Appraisals. SteelToad values the commitment of organizations pursuing CMMI, and we approach the process with integrity and professionalism with the goal of providing your business with a clear understanding of the process, expectations, and timeline.

Phase 2: Readiness

In this phase, SteelToad ensures your organization’s team is “ready” by performing a “Readiness Review.” We collaborate with your team to schedule the readiness review activities:

• Do the Appraisal Team Members (ATMs), scheduled for the CMMI Appraisal, have the required training necessary to participate in the appraisal?
• Is the appraisal plan and schedule completed and signed?
• Are the Appraisal Team Members (ATMs) working well together, in a group setting, regarding effectiveness, consensus abilities, communication, and group performance of tasks? This is primarily a subjective observation, but it is required to help to ensure the appraisal is not hampered by extraneous issues.
• Is the organization ready? SteelToad will check in to make sure all is in order and ready. This includes checking the stability and availability of the virtual platforms to be utilized for the appraisal.
• Have there been any changes to the overall appraisal risk status?
• Is the objective evidence available and ready to be appraised?
• Are the interview participants scheduled and available?
• Are both the organization and SteelToad ready to proceed?

Phase 3: Conduct The CMMI Appraisal In The CMMI Model Selected

In this stage, SteelToad begins the assessment on the scheduled and confirmed dates. By the time the CMMI Appraisal begins, all deadlines will have been determined, and your team’s expectations will match the continuing process.

SteelToad collects, examines, and characterizes evidence supplied by your organization. The lead appraiser collaborates with the Appraisal Team Members to collect data from interviews (affirmations) and document collecting as evidence. We obtain the evidence and data (artifacts) to determine how work is performed within your organization as well as how it aligns with the CMMI Model in satisfying the intent of practice areas and practice statements.

The SteelToad appraisal team creates the Preliminary Final Findings and distributes them to appraisal participants. During a presentation at the end of the appraisal, the Final Findings results are presented to the appraisal sponsor. The Final Finding results are only disclosed to the sponsor and subsequently shared with the organization as appropriate.

SteelToad, as the lead appraiser organization, will receive an email from the CMMI Institute validating the outcomes of the CMMI Appraisal once the CMMI Institute reviews the Appraisal package. If the appraisal is successful, the organization earns a CMMI rating. The CMMI Institute sends the official approval notification. Upon approval, the CMMI Institute emails the “Appraisal Marks” to the SteelToad lead appraiser, and SteelToad will forward these official marks and documentation to the organization’s sponsor.

If your organization did not pass the CMMI Assessment, an Action Plan Reappraisal (APR) may be an alternative. If this is an option, certain CMMI eligibility rules apply.

Phase 4

If an organization has failed in the CMMI appraisal process, it may choose to participate in a CMMI Action Plan Appraisal. An Action Plan Reappraisal may be carried out when a Benchmark or Sustainment Appraisal narrowly misses the target maturity level or capability level profile. This is a “second chance” for businesses who narrowly missed achieving their desired appraisal level in a previous appraisal. SteelToad provides your organization with a tailored plan and approach, should this be the path forward for your organization.

After

Organizations with a CMMI rating have an advantage over their competitors, as the rating shows the commitment to best practices and commitment to continuous improvement and excellence.

Every three (3) years, organizations must conduct a CMMI Benchmark appraisal to maintain a rating.

Types of CMMI Appraisals

CMMI assessments measure how closely businesses adhere to the best practices outlined in each of the CMMI models. There are four types of appraisals, Benchmark, Sustainment, Action Plan Reappraisal, and Evaluation. Organizations may select and use the appraisal type to improve efficiency and effectiveness inside their organizations by developing and implementing best practices as stated in the CMMI models. The types of CMMI appraisals are as follows:

Benchmark Appraisal

The outcome of an organization’s CMMI benchmark appraisal indicates the organization’s level of success in aligning to each process area under the specific CMMI Model. The benchmark appraisal provided the strengths and weaknesses of an organization’s processes. An organization is provided a Rating in the CMMI model and Level appraised after successfully completing a benchmark appraisal.

Benchmark Appraisal Quick Facts:

• Benchmark Appraisals require a minimum of four appraisal team members (one CMMI-certified lead appraiser and three ATMs)
• Benchmark Appraisals are valid for three years.
• Benchmark Appraisals identify the potential to improve process implementation, as well as business performance.
• Benchmark Appraisals, encompass all practice areas of a model, and can not be customized.

Sustainment Appraisal

A CMMI Sustainment Appraisal is an option for an organization to consider after the organization has attained a successful CMMI Benchmark Appraisal. A Sustainment Appraisal is conducted to determine if the organization is maintaining alignment for all process areas in the specific CMMI Model, and encourages organizations to “maintain” and “sustain” their commitment to the CMMI Model’s fundamental practice areas. This type of appraisal assists organizations in determining success and gaps across all CMMI Model process areas.

Sustainment Appraisal Quick Facts:

• Sustainment Appraisals require two appraisal team members and a CMMI lead appraiser.
• Sustainment Appraisals are valid for two years.
• Sustainment Appraisals offer organizations insight into and confirmation of their performance progress.
• Sustainment Appraisals must be performed and approved by ISACA/CMMI Institute prior to the expiration of the preceding appraisal validity date, to maintain the previous rating.

Action Plan Reappraisal

The option to conduct an Action Plan Reappraisal exists for organizations whose CMMI Benchmark Appraisal was unsuccessful. If an organization does not achieve success in aligning with the CMMI Model, and therefore, does not receive a CMMI rating the first time, the organization may have the option to undergo an Action Plan Reappraisal. In this situation, an organization may choose to execute an Action Plan Reappraisal as a follow-up attempt after an unsuccessful meeting of the initial appraisal.

Action Plan Reappraisal Quick Facts:

• Action Plan Reappraisals require a minimum of two appraisal team members and one CMMI lead appraiser.
• Provides an organization a second chance if they narrowly miss earning a CMMI rating.

Evaluation Appraisal

If a company wishes to evaluate” whether it can earn a CMMI rating, it may elect to conduct a CMMI Evaluation Appraisal. This type of assessment uses a less formal methodology to determine how well an organization’s processes align with each CMMI Model process area. It is not considered a “gap analysis/assessment” as it adheres to the CMMI Benchmark Appraisals cadence and process. Gaps may be found as an organization moves through the practice areas in an evaluation appraisal, even though this is more formal than a “CMMI gap assessment/assessment and could be considered slightly more formal and procedural than a gap assessment. ” A company can identify any shortcomings in its adherence to the model’s process areas by performing an Evaluation appraisal that is more formal in execution and teamwork. This form of evaluation is typically used by businesses as a “test run” before undertaking a formal CMMI Benchmark Appraisal.

Evaluation Appraisal Quick Facts:

• Evaluation Appraisals require a CMMI-certified lead appraiser
• Evaluation appraisals do not result in ratings; instead, they are frequently used as part of an improvement effort to track advancement and get ready for a future benchmark appraisal.
• Evaluation Appraisals provide a flexible, less formal method of identifying areas for process and performance improvement.
• Benchmark Appraisals aid an organization’s understanding of its progress, toward a target CMMI maturity or capability level profile.

What Is A Gap Assessment?

A Gap Assessment/Analysis is often the first step in an organization’s attempt to align its company’s processes and procedures with the CMMI model of choice.Conduct a gap analysis of current processes against CMMI practice areas and practices identified for improvement. An informal gap analysis can be conducted using CMMI practices and other components. This analysis aims to identify more than just gaps in the techniques being used. Moreover, it involves determining whether the processes are utilized, persistent, and habitual. The value of a well-designed business process is preserved if it is used. Make a note of the results of the gap analysis. Determine how to close any identified gaps by developing and recording improvement activities. Taking action based on recommendations is central to improving a system. As part of a gap assessment, processes and infrastructure are managed and improved continuously to support business objectives, the best process improvements are identified and implemented, and the process improvement results are visible, accessible, and sustainable.

Should We Have SteelToad Conduct A CMMI Gap Assessment?

It depends.

1. Where is our organization now, as it relates to CMMI Best practices?
2. Where does our organization want to be in the future?
3. What do we need to change to get there?

A gap analysis is typically performed by SteelToad to help an organization identify the space between the current state of successful practices and the target state of best practices that should or wish to be implemented. A gap assessment is a great way to see what is missing, prior to conducting an official appraisal. The gap assessment identifies missing processes and indicates to the organization the areas which may need further attention.

SteelToad has conducted gap assessments on firms in a variety of industries, employing gap analysis services to help identify the gaps and provide your organization with a complete understanding of the areas “missing” as defined by the CMMI model your organization adopts.

We meet with your team prior to proposing our services for a gap analysis. SteelToad will include pricing, a timeline, and our approach for a successful gap analysis. The effort depends on the size, structure, requirements, and business goals of the organization.

To complete a gap analysis, SteelToad reviews current procedures in accordance with the chosen CMMI Model. Each process area is a focus of a gap assessment, in which we gather pertinent data on performance levels and the current resource allocation for these areas.

SteelToad chooses the most effective method to gather data to establish how the company currently aligns with the CMMI Model based on the CMMI Model being.. SteelToad obtains data from a variety of sources in the organization. For example, SteelToad may use all or some of the following collection methods to measure the extent of the organization’s current alignment with the CMMI Model including:

• Review of documentation
• Interview with organization members
• Interviews with stakeholders
• Measuring key performance reports
• Observation of project operations
• Discussions

Who Issues CMMI Ratings?

The Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA), which is the parent of the CMMI Institute, is the sole provider of authentic CMMI ratings. ISACA is a global professional not-for-profit association specializing in information technology governance, risk and cyber audit, and cyber management. ISACA provides education, certification, and a professional network for the information technology industry and its professionals. ISACA provides its members with a variety of resources, including professional networking, knowledge sharing, cybersecurity career development in many prominent leading certifications, and information on current industry trends.

How Do I Check My Organization’s CMMI Rating?

Within five days of completion of your organization’s CMMI Benchmark appraisal, SteelToad’s lead appraiser submits a completed appraisal package, to include the process area records/workbook to the CMMI Institute for a quality review, per the CMMI Product Suite License Agreement.

The CMMI Institute completes a quality review of the submission and determines if your organization was successful in its CMMI Appraisal efforts.

The CMMI Institute emails the SteelToad lead appraiser and the sponsor of the CMMI Logo Appraisal Marks upon receipt and reviews the appraisal package for official authorization.

To check your CMMI appraisal results when they are published, follow these steps:

1. Results may be found by visiting: https://cmmiinstitute.com/pars

1. Input your organization’s name

Are My Organization’s Appraisal Rating Records Public?

Organizations have the option of publishing appraisal rating records on the ISACA CMMI PARS. The Published Appraisal Results Information is published on the CMMI website to include the organization’s name, the CMMI Model, the Maturity Level achieved, and the date of the certification. Publishing this information allows your potential customers/partners to view the CMMI rating level your organization has achieved. Your organization has the option to not publish the appraisal results if this is the preference.

How Much Does CMMI Cost?

SteelToad utilizes the most efficient and current methods to appraise your organization’s processes against the CMMI. SteelToad’s lead appraiser is well-versed in using the most current and efficient methods to evaluate your organization’s processes against the CMMI. The cost of a CMMI appraisal depends on a variety of factors, including the type of appraisal performed, the CMMI Model(s) chosen, the time frame requested, ATMs provided by SteelToad, and any training needed to meet your CMMI goals. SteelToad is prepared to meet with you to discuss your requirements.