CMMI Blog Special Series: 1st Part: This blog series on the cmmiconsultantblog.com is a systematic and structured coverage of CMMI Process Areas starting from Maturity Level 2 to Maturity Level 3: using CMMI –DEV, Version 1.3, as the Reference CMMI Model: As CMMI Consultant, during CMMI Consulting assignment if you are asked about the steps, inputs and outputs of Project Planning (PP) Process Area, what would be your response:

CMMI FAQ 0

25th June, 2015

For the above-mentioned question, CMMI Consultants may take inputs from the following:

The Project Planning starts with the signing of contract, issuance of scope of work document and conduct of Project Initiation Meeting by the Program Manager/Account Manager. During the Initiation Meeting the resources are allocated and commitments from the different stake holders are taken.

Following documents are provided as the input to the Project Planning Phase:

• Contract Document
• Project Scope of Work Documents
• Minutes / Presentation of Project Initiation Meetings
• Project Estimation Sheet
• Project Initiation Note (PIN)

During the Project Planning following activities are being conducted by the Project Manager along with the team:

• Identify suitable Process Model.
• Identify major Work Products / Milestones
• Identify Critical Path
• Identify Project Specific Defined Process / Tailoring
• Select Reusable Components/Artefacts
• Identify Assumptions / Constraints / Dependencies
• Identification of Risks and Mitigation Plan
• Identify Issues and Action Plan
• Resources Planning / Scheduling
• Develop Communication Plan
• Identify Tools for Project Execution
• Identify Configuration Management Activities
• Identify Quality Management Activities:
• Selection of measures for the project and its goals.
• Planning for reviews and audit.
• Planning for testing.
• Develop criteria for revising Project Management Plan (PMP)
• Review of Project Management Plan, Project Schedule
• Review and Re-estimate of effort and Size.
• Approval of Project Management Plan

Outputs created during the implementation of the Project Planning activities are as under:

• Project Management Plan (PMP)
• Project Schedule
• Review records of Project Management Plan
• Risk / Issue Tracking Sheet /Log or Risk/Issue Tracking Tool
• Resource Sheet for Hardware, Software and Human Resources
• Training Sheet for the Team Members
• Reusable Component Log

The above is not an exhaustive coverage of the Project Monitoring and Control (PMC), CMMI Process Areas but is substantive enough to create a good foundation of the project monitoring and execution process in an organization.

Source: CMMI for Development Version 1.3