OVERVIEW
The CMMI (Capability Maturity Model Integration) is a model that helps us build better software and run better projects.
The Generic Practices apply to all process areas in the CMMI – which is why they should have been named the Most Important Practices.
Regardless of what type of method, technique or process that you use, the Generic Practices can really help jump start the success of those practices.
The Generic Practices apply to activities that the organization performs, not necessarily the individual projects. The guidance provided by the Generic Practice includes but is not limited to:
SETTING EXPECTATIONS
- How long are our Sprints?
- What kind of retrospectives do we have?
- What kind of code reviews should we run?
- Should we comment our code, and how should we comment it?
PLANNING
- How many Sprints are we going to have?
- How many phases are we going to have?
- How many releases are we going to have?
- What kind of requirements management tools are we going to use?
ASSIGNING RESPONSIBILITY
- Who is going to be involved?
- When are they going to be involved?
PROVIDING TRAINING
- Are we providing training? For example, if I’m going to ask you to do Planning Poker and use it as a way to estimate the size of a project or a particular user story, do I plan to train you on how to use those tools?
MONITORING THE HEALTH OF THE PROCESS
- How is the process working?
- Are we getting value out of our sprints, phases and the tools that we are using, out of the techniques that we are employing?
- If we aren’t getting value, why not? And if not, let’s make them better!
- Are people actually using these processes?
- If they aren’t, why not?
MANAGEMENT
- Is management paying attention to all of this data?
- Are they doing something about it to make the company an even better company?
CONSTANTLY IMPROVING
- Are we constantly improving the processes?
Jeff Dalton is a Certified SCAMPI Lead Appraiser, Certified CMMI Instructor, author, and consultant with years of real-world experience with the CMMI in all types of organizations. Jeff has taught thousands of students in CMMI trainings and has received an aggregate satisfaction score of 4.97 out of 5 from his students.
Visit www.broadswordsolutions.com for more information about engineering strategy, performance innovation, software process improvement and running a successful CMMI program.
