CMMI, Capability Maturity Model Integration, is a comprehensive framework developed by the Software Engineering Institute (SEI) at Carnegie Mellon University. It helps organizations improve their processes across various domains including software development, systems engineering, project management, and service delivery. CMMI provides a structured approach to process improvement by defining best practices that organizations can adopt to enhance their capabilities and achieve business objectives effectively.
The framework is organized into maturity levels and capability levels. Maturity levels (ranging from Level 1 to Level 5) represent evolutionary stages of organizational process improvement, with each level building upon the previous one to establish increasingly mature and capable processes. Capability levels, on the other hand, assess specific process areas within an organization to determine the extent to which best practices are implemented and followed.
CMMI is applicable to a wide range of industries beyond software and IT, including manufacturing, healthcare, defense, and telecommunications. It provides a common language and benchmark for assessing and improving organizational processes, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and ensuring consistency in delivering high-quality products and services. By aligning processes with business goals and customer needs, organizations can enhance efficiency, reduce risks, and achieve sustainable competitive advantage in their markets.