A visit to Humayun’s Tomb – An insight into Standardization in the Medieval Era – Processes / CMMI (?) in olden times

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9th March, 2018

Humayun’s Tomb

Our team of CMMI Consultants visited Humanyun’s Tomb at Delhi in December, 2017, and the smallest and chirpiest of them, came out with this intelligent observation that the element of standardization, and by derivation, implementation of processes, is clearly evident when the building would have been constructed in the medieval era. An amazing thing which comes across is the standardization in the structural elements of the architecture, symmetry and design and patterns. It indicates that the implementation of processes and achieving standardization through it has been a norm in olden times as well and we need to emulate the same from them. How superficial this talk of resistance to implementation of processes looks to be when you see the finest example of standardization in these monuments etched in stone made centuries back. CMMI Process model through its structured collection of best practices should be implemented by the IT Industry for achieving process and product excellence.

This blog has been carrying articles only related to CMMI, but for a change, here is the article, verbatim, by Heena Budhiraja, Associate CMMI Consultant of DQS Certification, written on her visit to Humayun’s Tomb at Delhi:

In December 2017, our team of CMMI Consultants’ decided to visit the Humayun’s Tomb, one of the hot-spots for visitors in the capital.  Humayun’s Tomb is listed as one among the fifteen Heritage sites in India. The visit was planned by the office members and it was worth it as I came across many different knowledgeable things which I had never thought of. An amazing thing which comes across is the standardization in the structural elements of the architecture, symmetry and design.

Humayun’s tomb is the tomb of the Mughal Emperor Humayun in Delhi, India, and was designed by Mirak Mirza Ghiyas, a Persian architect. The tomb was started in 1565 A.D. and was completed by 1572 A.D. This tomb is one of the most magnificent tombs built in Delhi. The building is constructed from red sandstone, while the tomb itself is made of yellow and black marble. The two-storied mausoleum is crowned with white Persian style marble dome. The complex consists of a large garden laid out in four-fold style. There are several pools in the garden which are all joined by channels. All buildings have a uniform pattern of structure, seems like at that time also they followed processes and standards, as the patterns are designed in a standardized way. Overall, this is a good spot to spend a day out with your family, friends or your office colleagues. If you’re an admirer of architectural buildings and beautiful, well maintained gardens, it should attract you like a magnet. On the other hand, it was amazing to know that the standardization existed even then and processes were followed at that time. [Heena Budhiraja, Associate CMMI Consultant at DQS ]