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Implementing a measurement framework to transition from CMM to CMMI
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Implementing
a measurement framework
One
of the most obvious differences between the CMM and CMMI is the introduction of
a new level 2 process area, Measurement and Analysis.
The
Measurement and Analysis process area supports all process areas by providing
specific practices that guide projects and organizations in aligning measurement
needs and objectives with a measurement approach that will provide objective
results. These results can be used in making informed decisions and taking
appropriate corrective actions. The purpose of Measurement and Analysis is to
develop and sustain a measurement capability that is used to support management
information needs.
The
Measurement and Analysis process area involves:
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Specifying
the objectives that are aligned with identified information needs and
objectives
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Specifying
the measures, data collection and storage mechanisms, analysis techniques,
and reporting and feedback mechanisms
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Implementing
the collection, storage, analysis, and reporting of the data
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Providing
objective results that can be used in making informed decisions, and taking
appropriate corrective actions.
The
integration of measurement and analysis activities into the processes of the
project supports:
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Objective
planning and estimating
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Tracking
actual performance against established plans and objectives
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Identifying
and resolving process-related issues
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Providing
a basis for incorporating measurement into additional processes in the
future.
In
our view, the introduction of the Measurement and Analysis process area is a
long overdue enhancement to the basic CMM.
Implementing a metrics framework at the start of a process improvement
initiative allows an organization to baseline current process performance.
This is invaluable in assessing if “process improvements” have a real
bottom line impact and in calculating the return on process related investments.
Furthermore, process performance cannot be managed without measurements
and the performance of processes that are not actively managed almost invariably
deteriorates to the point where the process is of questionable value.
It
is not necessary to put a comprehensive metrics framework that will support a
level 5 organization in place immediately.
However, with a little foresight, it is possible to put a simple
framework in place that collects all the core measurements necessary to manage
processes at all maturity levels. Analysis
and decision support can be added as necessary in the future, but if the basic
framework is put in place as an organization moves to CMMI level 2, it will
provide the data needed to systematically improve and manage all the
organization’s processes as it moves up the maturity ladder.
Unfortunately
most lower maturity organizations lack the experience with metrics to put an
effective and efficient framework in place at level 2.
They tend to oversimplify, collecting incomplete and fragmentary data
that is of no real use for decision support and process management.
Or they tend to take too many measurements that bog everyone down with
excessive data collecting overhead. Even
CMM level 3 organizations transitioning to the CMMI model tend to have these
problems since typical CMM improvement initiatives tend to delay everything but
data collection until the organization is ready to tackle level 4.
PS&J
has worked with software metrics for years in the context of CMM, Personal
Software Process,
Six Sigma, and CMMI. If you want to put
a cost-effective CMMI compliant metrics framework in place, we can help you with
training, and consulting services.
If the Measurement and Analysis process area is a stumbling block as you
transition from CMM and CMMI, we can get you there quicker, with few false
starts, and with no wasted resources.
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