CMMI

In its research to help organizations to develop and maintain quality

products and services, the Software Engineering Institute (SEI) has found

several dimensions that an organization can focus on to improve its

business. Figure 1.1 illustrates the three critical dimensions that

organizations typically focus on: people, procedures and methods, and

tools and equipment.

Procedures and methods

defining the relationship of

tasks

Tools and

equipment

People

with skills,

training, and

motivation

A

B

C

D

PROCESS

Figure 1.1: The Three Critical Dimensions

What holds everything together? It is the processes used in your

organization. Processes allow you to align the way you do business. They

allow you to address scalability and provide a way to incorporate knowledge

of how to do things better. Processes allow you to leverage your resources

and to examine business trends.

This is not to say that people and technology are not important. We are

living in a world where technology is changing at an incredible speed.

Similarly, people typically work for many companies throughout their

careers. We live in a dynamic world. A focus on process provides the

infrastructure and stability necessary to deal with an ever-changing world

and to maximize the productivity of people and the use of technology to be

competitive.

Manufacturing has long recognized the importance of process effectiveness

and efficiency. Today, many organizations in manufacturing and service

industries recognize the importance of quality processes. Process helps an

organization’s workforce to meet business objectives by helping them to

work

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