Prepare for CMMI

	MAYANK D. GOEL
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Essentials

Frame the goal statements into a memo.
Make a plan for what you are trying to achieve through CMMI and process improvement.
Hope to win a sposnorship for this plan.

CHAPTER 1
Let us figure why we are here?
Organizations like to use CMMI for various reasons:
Internal process improvement
Contractual obligations
Showcasing
Customized objectives
I have met students and professionals who would like to add CMMI to their academic qualitfications. I have no personal objections against whatever use anyone can make of the report.
But I would like you to give a serious thought about your Organization's Objective in using CMMI. I suggest that you write a 100 words paragraph. Make it worth publishing as an official memo.
Let the business read it, review it and Okay it. Let the Corporate feel that it is an initiative that directly and indirectly supports their long term organizational goals.

Is that important?
It sure is very important. Your business / corporate is spending money on this initiative. If the money is down the drain, they would not want to sponsor such initiatives. Any quality program, however good, can only be supported with the business interest and sponsorship of top management.
If they do not have a buy in -- nothing takes off. If the objectives you have framed seem attractive and resonable, you may earn a long term sponsorship. If the goals written in the memo are salsey, lucrative lies -- your sponsorship may end as soon as someone wakes up in the top management. Kaput.
OK! What I do and what I don't
Writing a memo of that sort sounds tough. But try this : and it may become easy.
Since I am into softwares, I will take examples from my limited understanding of the world.
List the most important pain points that the business feels in terms of the delivery organization. It could include defects, customer compliants, failed products, failed timelines, poor productivity and product efficiency.
Next, list the various areas in which the organization needs a lot of improvement. This may include inter-group coordination, support group effectiveness, lack of process orientation, etc.
You may interview a few people or even conduct an internal survey.
Under each heading (pain points, or area of improvement), write a line or two: a statement that depicts the current state. Then write a goal statement that describes what the business (or the delivery organization) would like it to be.
Frame the goal statements into a memo. Make a plan for what you are trying to achieve through CMMI and process improvement. Hope to win a sposnorship for this plan.
Evaluate whether process improvement will result into accomplishment of the goal elements above. If you think 'yes', suggest that CMMI is the model that will be tried for carrying it out.
Take care that you DO NOT include the taboo items:

Increase business
More business opportunities
Increase sales
Improved market reputation
Higher customer confidence in proposls and bids
These are nothing less than wishful thinking. It takes more than a certificate. Customers are incresingly aware of the lame claims of "Level 5" benefits. Such lines in your obejctive statement can give your top management a false hope and instant sponsorship, but it will be extremely short lived.
Now do yourself a favor, get the write-up reviewed by the business, by the delivery and by the quality. The purpose of the review is both corrections and approval. But in effect, your statement of purpose improves and your chances of winning the sponsorship are increased. You will be glad that you got it reviewed before publishing.

Is that all?
Certainly not. But if you have got accross this point successfully, you have got the ticket.
Cross this checklist and you are aboard:

We have top management sponsorship to implement CMMI
Organization is willing to hire and/or engage outside experts
Corporate is willing to spend on training and adoption of new processes
People believe that processes need to be changed, and improved

Proceed to the next chapter >>

© 2006 Mayank D Goel.

	Frame the goal statements into a memo. Make a plan for what you are trying to achieve through CMMI and process improvement. Hope to win a sposnorship for this plan.
			CHAPTER 1 Let us figure why we are here? Organizations like to use CMMI for various reasons: Internal process improvement Contractual obligations Showcasing Customized objectives I have met students and professionals who would like to add CMMI to their academic qualitfications. I have no personal objections against whatever use anyone can make of the report. But I would like you to give a serious thought about your Organization's Objective in using CMMI. I suggest that you write a 100 words paragraph. Make it worth publishing as an official memo. Let the business read it, review it and Okay it. Let the Corporate feel that it is an initiative that directly and indirectly supports their long term organizational goals.

			Is that important? It sure is very important. Your business / corporate is spending money on this initiative. If the money is down the drain, they would not want to sponsor such initiatives. Any quality program, however good, can only be supported with the business interest and sponsorship of top management. If they do not have a buy in -- nothing takes off. If the objectives you have framed seem attractive and resonable, you may earn a long term sponsorship. If the goals written in the memo are salsey, lucrative lies -- your sponsorship may end as soon as someone wakes up in the top management. Kaput. OK! What I do and what I don't Writing a memo of that sort sounds tough. But try this : and it may become easy. Since I am into softwares, I will take examples from my limited understanding of the world. List the most important pain points that the business feels in terms of the delivery organization. It could include defects, customer compliants, failed products, failed timelines, poor productivity and product efficiency. Next, list the various areas in which the organization needs a lot of improvement. This may include inter-group coordination, support group effectiveness, lack of process orientation, etc. You may interview a few people or even conduct an internal survey. Under each heading (pain points, or area of improvement), write a line or two: a statement that depicts the current state. Then write a goal statement that describes what the business (or the delivery organization) would like it to be. Frame the goal statements into a memo. Make a plan for what you are trying to achieve through CMMI and process improvement. Hope to win a sposnorship for this plan. Evaluate whether process improvement will result into accomplishment of the goal elements above. If you think 'yes', suggest that CMMI is the model that will be tried for carrying it out. Take care that you DO NOT include the taboo items: Increase business More business opportunities Increase sales Improved market reputation Higher customer confidence in proposls and bids These are nothing less than wishful thinking. It takes more than a certificate. Customers are incresingly aware of the lame claims of "Level 5" benefits. Such lines in your obejctive statement can give your top management a false hope and instant sponsorship, but it will be extremely short lived. Now do yourself a favor, get the write-up reviewed by the business, by the delivery and by the quality. The purpose of the review is both corrections and approval. But in effect, your statement of purpose improves and your chances of winning the sponsorship are increased. You will be glad that you got it reviewed before publishing.

			Is that all? Certainly not. But if you have got accross this point successfully, you have got the ticket. Cross this checklist and you are aboard: We have top management sponsorship to implement CMMI Organization is willing to hire and/or engage outside experts Corporate is willing to spend on training and adoption of new processes People believe that processes need to be changed, and improved

			Proceed to the next chapter >>