In CMMI is it necessary for an Internal Auditor to conduct internal quality audits within the organization to maintain CMMI Compliance?

CMMI FAQ 0

6th May, 2013

Once an Organization decides to comply with Quality in its product and services, it should make every possible move to be compliant to that standard, framework or model. For CMMI Compliance, organization should focus on different quality activities as described next. For this task organization can opt for Internal Auditors or can hire External Auditors to conduct Compliance Audits time to time.

Now let us analyse qualities of Internal Auditors and difference between Internal Auditors and External Auditors.

Regular Quality Activities

Following activities are required to be followed for maintaining the compliance to the standard:

• Development of a CMMI Compliant QMS
• QMS Awareness Training Session
• Implementation Checks/Audits on regular interval
• Follow-up Audits
• Training to Project Team Members on core activities like Project Management, Estimation, Reviews etc.
• Metrics Report Preparation
• Preparation for SCAMPI Assessment – Documentation and Training

More can be read about Organizational activities and Resource requirements at Dear CMMI Consultant we want to know for our CMMI Implementation, how many resources are required from within the company?

Difference between CMMI Internal Auditor and CMMI External Auditors

CMMI Quality Audits can be conducted by Internal or External Auditors. Internal Auditors are employee of the organization and have dedicated (or partial) responsibility to conduct above said activities. Whereas External Auditors are hired from CMMI Consultants who provide Auditors on demand and these external auditors provide above said services to the organization. External Auditors are Subject Matter Expert to perform these activities.

Formal Qualification required by Internal Auditor

As such there is no such qualification required by the external auditors to conduct Internal Quality Audits.

He should have following skills:

• Knowledge of the CMMI
• Understand Projects, their Requirements and can guide Project Teams for Implementation
• Proficient in Metrics Data Calculation
• Can plan quality activities
• Conduct audits
• Conduct follow up audits

An Official CMMI Intro Training is highly desired skill that he should posses, so that it is established that he has complete understanding of the CMMI Model and how to implement the required Process Areas and Specific Practices.

For Official CMMI Training from DQS India, an authorised SEI Partner, you can read here – http://www.dqsindia.com/cmmi-services/sei-official-trainings-courses.php

How DQS India can help your organization for hiring CMMI External Auditors?

DQS India, an authorised SEI Partner, can provide CMMI Consultants who are CMMI Subject Matter Experts and can help in maintain the CMMI Compliance in the organization. CMMI Consultants help in conducting the compliance activities by managing then at Organizational Level and Project Level as well. They are available for Facilitation and Guidance to organization. With them with you, you can be rest sure about CMMI Compliance.

You can hire CMMI Consultant from DQS India for any kind of CMMI Implementation and for any CMMI Model. Contact Information is available at DQS India Contact Page.

You can read more about DQS India CMMI Consultant.