CMMI (Capability Maturity Model Integration) V3.0 is a powerful behavioral and process improvement model that helps organizations improve performance, build better products, and deliver higher-value services. With five Maturity Levels, it outlines what great organizations do to excel—providing a framework that supports consistent, high-quality outcomes across industries.
Why CMMI Matters
CMMI helps answer critical questions like:
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How do we know what we’re good at?
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How do we know if we’re improving?
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How do we know if our processes are effective?
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How do we know if our requirements and product quality meet expectations?
By implementing CMMI, organizations gain the clarity and structure needed to set measurable goals, improve efficiency, boost customer satisfaction, and make informed decisions based on reliable data.
How CMMI Works
CMMI is built around Practice Areas (PAs)—each focused on a specific area of performance improvement. These practices are adaptable to your company’s culture and processes. It’s important to note:
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CMMI is not a step-by-step process guide.
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It tells you what to do—not how to do it.
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It’s a behavioral model as much as it is a process model.
Organizations are rated on how well they implement over 180 distinct practices, earning a Capability or Maturity Level Rating—not a certification, but a recognized appraisal of performance.
Introducing CMMI V3.0: Now with Domains
The latest version, CMMI V3.0, introduces eight industry-focused Domains that tailor the model to specific business sectors. Each Domain includes core and unique Practice Areas.
- Development: This domain, previously known as the legacy CMMI, focuses on improving product development processes.
- Services: This domain focuses on improving service delivery and management.
- Suppliers: This domain, previously called Supplier Management, deals with managing relationships and processes with suppliers.
- Virtual: This domain addresses virtual, remote, and hybrid work environments, helping organizations identify and address challenges and find flexible solutions.
- Safety: This domain focuses on improving safety practices and procedures.
- Security: This domain focuses on improving security practices and processes.
- People: This domain focuses on managing human resources and organizational culture.
- Data: This domain focuses on managing and improving data processes and capabilities.
These Domains allow companies to apply the model in a way that’s most relevant to their operations.
CMMI Appraisals
Appraisals are how organizations achieve official CMMI Ratings. Only an ISACA-certified Lead Appraiser can conduct these.
Types of Appraisals:
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CMMI appraisals, which assess an organization’s processes against CMMI best practices, come in four main types: Benchmark, Sustainment, Evaluation, and Action Plan Reappraisal. Each type serves a specific purpose and can help organizations identify areas of strength and weakness, track progress, and improve their processes.Here’s a more detailed look at each type:
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Benchmark Appraisal:This appraisal determines an organization’s maturity level or capability level, based on the CMMI model. It’s the “gold standard” for CMMI appraisals and can result in a formal rating.
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Sustainment Appraisal:This type of appraisal confirms that an organization’s processes continue to comply with the CMMI model after a previous Benchmark appraisal. It’s often conducted to maintain a CMMI rating or track progress after improvements.
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Evaluation Appraisal:This appraisal focuses on assessing an organization’s process maturity level without aiming for a formal CMMI rating. It’s useful for organizations wanting to assess their readiness for a future Benchmark appraisal or to track progress on process improvement initiatives.
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Action Plan Reappraisal:This type of appraisal is conducted when an organization didn’t meet the required maturity level in a previous appraisal. It focuses on addressing specific weaknesses identified in the initial appraisal and can lead to a re-appraisal for a higher rating.
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Benchmark, Sustainment, and APR appraisals are published in the PARS database, visible to the public and stakeholders.
CMMI Architecture & Structure
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CMMI for Development includes 19 Practice Areas
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CMMI for Services includes 21 Practice Areas
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These Practice Areas are grouped into Capability Areas, allowing for targeted or broad performance improvement
- Capability Areas are grouped into four Categories
Each Practice outlines specific behaviors, intents, and values needed to ensure consistency and excellence across projects.
Getting Started with CMMI
Most organizations begin with an Evaluation Appraisal to identify current strengths and areas for improvement. This is followed by:
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Training – such as Foundations of Capability for key staff
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Process Development – updating or building assets like templates, policies, tools, or reports
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Formal Appraisals – leading to a recognized CMMI Maturity Level Rating
Ready to Take the Next Step?
Broadsword offers expert guidance through every phase of your CMMI journey—from evaluation to training to successful appraisal.
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