CMMI Interpretive Guidance Project: What We Learned

This report summarizes the results of the Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI) Interpretive Guidance Project. It summarizes and analyzes the 7500 comments received regarding CMMI adoption that were reported by CMMI users and potential users. It also describes the actions being taken by the Software Engineering Institute (SEI) to address the issues identified by Interpretive Guidance Project participants. Although the initial goal of the project was to develop interpretive guidance, after data gathering and analysis the team realized that most respondents' input did not require interpretive guidance. Based on a relatively small number of comments, interpretive guidance was planned, including papers, frequently asked questions (FAQs), and new CMMI courses. However, participant comments clearly showed CMMI interpretive guidance to be less of an adoption issue than suspected. Some comments covered issues already being addressed as part of SEI activities, including the development of Standard CMMI Appraisal Method for Process Improvement (SCAMPI) Class B and C methods, the collection of cost and benefit information, and the creation and improvement of CMMI training courses. The majority (approximately 80%) of the actionable comments received were best handled as change requests to help guide the ongoing improvement of the CMMI Product Suite.